gases in the atmosphere

• The approximate percentages by volume of the four most abundant gases in dry air are 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon and 0.037% carbon dioxide.
• The percentage by volume of oxygen in air can be determined using experiments involving the reactions of metals (e.g. iron) and non-metals (e.g. phosphorus) with air.
• The atmosphere warms up leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
• The approximate percentage by volume of oxygen in air can be determined using a metal or non-metal.
• Some of the IR radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• Global warming is an 'enhanced greenhouse effect'.
• An increase in average global temperature is a major cause of climate change.
• In an experiment to determine the percentage by volume of oxygen in air, 100 cm3 of air is passed from side to side over copper that was being heated with a Bunsen burner.
• All oxygen in air will react with copper, making it a closed system where no air could get in or out.
• As the air is passed, the volume of air will decrease, and the volume will stop decreasing when there is about 79 cm3 left, showing that 21 cm3 of the original 100 cm3 of air was oxygen.
• The reaction happening in this case (with copper) is: copper + oxygen -> copper (II) oxide // 2Cu (s) + O 2 (g) -> CuO (s).
• The formation of carbon dioxide from the thermal decomposition of metal carbonates, including copper (II) carbonate, involves the following reaction: Metal carbonate decomposes into metal oxide and carbon dioxide when heated.
• Some heat is radiated from the Earth as infrared radiation.
• Greenhouse gases include water vapour, CO2 & CH4.
• Magnesium and oxygen combine to form magnesium oxide.
• The explanation of the greenhouse gas effect involves electromagnetic radiation at most wavelengths from the sun passing through the Earth’s atmosphere, with the Earth absorbing some radiation and thus warming up, which is essential for life on Earth.
• Sulfur and oxygen combine to form sulfur dioxide.
• An example of this reaction is: Copper (II) carbonate decomposes into copper (II) oxide and carbon dioxide when heated.
• The greenhouse gas effect maintains temperatures on Earth high enough to support life.
• Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water.
• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and increasing amounts in the atmosphere may contribute to climate change.
• Black copper oxide will form during the combustion of copper.
• Combustion is an example of oxidation.
• In an oxidation reaction, a substance gains oxygen.
• Metals and non-metals can take part in these reactions.