the earths atmosphere

Cards (30)

  • What was the biggest component of the atmosphere 4.6 - 2.7 billion years ago?
    Carbon dioxide
  • What gas was very little present in the atmosphere 4.6 - 2.7 billion years ago?
    Oxygen
  • What gas was released by volcanoes along with carbon dioxide?
    Nitrogen
  • Why did water vapour exist as vapour 4.6 - 2.7 billion years ago?
    Earth was too hot for it to condense
  • What other gases were present in the atmosphere 4.6 - 2.7 billion years ago?
    Ammonia and methane
  • Why is there very little evidence of the atmosphere from 4.6 - 2.7 billion years ago?
    It was billions of years ago
  • What happened to carbon dioxide levels from 2.4 billion to 200 million years ago?
    They began to reduce
  • Why did oxygen levels begin to increase during 2.4 billion to 200 million years ago?
    Due to photosynthesis by algae
  • What stable molecule continued to increase during 2.4 billion to 200 million years ago?
    Nitrogen
  • What caused water vapour to decrease during 2.4 billion to 200 million years ago?
    The Earth cooled and vapour condensed
  • What is the current percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
    0.04%
  • What is the current percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere?
    20%
  • What is the current state of water vapour in the atmosphere?
    Very little
  • What do greenhouse gases do?
    They absorb radiation and maintain temperatures
  • What has caused an increase in greenhouse gases in the last 150 years?
    Human activity
  • What human activity contributes to carbon dioxide emissions?
    Combustion of fossil fuels
  • What human activity contributes to methane emissions?
    Cattle farming
  • What evidence have scientists gathered regarding greenhouse gases?
    It increases Earth's overall temperature
  • Why is it difficult to make predictions about the atmosphere?
    It is large and complex
  • What does global climate change refer to?
    Changes in weather patterns over years
  • What are the effects of climate change?
    • Sea levels rising
    • Extreme weather events
    • Changes in rainfall patterns
    • Changes to ecosystems and habitats
    • Melting polar ice caps
  • What is a carbon footprint?
    The total greenhouse gases released by a process
  • What pollutant is produced from incomplete combustion of fuels?
    Carbon monoxide
  • What are the characteristics of carbon monoxide?
    Colourless and odourless gas
  • What pollutant is associated with diesel engines?
    Particulate (soot and unburnt hydrocarbons)
  • What are the effects of particulate pollutants?
    Global dimming and respiratory problems
  • What causes sulfur dioxide pollution?
    Sulfur impurities in fuel reacting with oxygen
  • What are the effects of sulfur dioxide?
    Acid rain and respiratory problems
  • What causes oxides of nitrogen pollution?
    Nitrogen from air reacting with oxygen near engines
  • What are the effects of oxides of nitrogen?
    Acid rain and respiratory problems