Chemistry of the Atmosphere

• the earths atmosphere contains:

  • 21% of oxygen
  • 78% of nitrogen
  • 1% of other gases
• 6 mark question of the atmosphere:

  • earths early atmosphere volcanos erupted releasing water vapour, co2, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
  • oceans were created by water vapour condensing
  • co2 dissolved into the ocean
  • algae evolved into plants, releasing O2 by using CO2 for photosynthesis
  • plants died covered with sediments gradually changing into coal, trapping CO2
  • marine creatures absorb CO2 to make shells, they die, shells make limestone also trapping CO2
• greenhouse gases:

  • carbon dioxide
  • methane
  • water vapour
• earths early atmosphere:

  • 74% of water vapour
  • 12% of carbon dioxide
  • 9% of sulphur dioxide
  • 5% of nitrogen
• greenhouse effect:

  • short wave length radiation travels from the sun to the earth
  • the radiation passes through the earths atmosphere and hits the earths surface
  • when the radiation hits the earths surface some of it is radiated as long wavelength radiation (infrared/thermal radiation)
  • some of the radiation that hits earths surface does not bounce back. this means it has been absorbed.
  • this radiation heats the earths surface
• global warming effects:

  • ice caps melt
  • sea level rises
• carbon footprint:

  • the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product service or event
• how can you reduce your carbon footprint by how you travel:

  • use public transport
  • riding bike
  • walking
  • fill the car
• how can you reduce your carbon footprint at home:

  • growing your own vegetables
  • switch off used devices
  • unplug
  • plant trees
  • 60 degrees to 30
  • switch off lights
• how can you reduce your carbon footprint by food:

  • cook from scratch
  • eat seasonally
  • eat local
  • grow your own food
• how can you reduce your carbon footprint by producing less waste:

  • reusable bags
  • recycle
  • compost
  • reduce rubbish
• finite resources:

  • resources that cannot be replaced as quickly as they are used
  • will run out
• renewable resources:

  • can be replaced as quickly as they are used
  • will not run out
• sustainable development:

  • to meet our needs whilst making it possible for future generations to meets theirs