mans effect on the atmosphere

• Global warming


  The effect where increased levels of carbon dioxide trap heat energy, resulting in an increase in the average global temperature
• Causes of global warming

  1. Increase in deforestation

  2. Increase in combustion of fossil fuels
• Increased levels of carbon dioxide

  Increase in average global temperature
• Effects of global warming

  • Ice caps melt faster, leading to sea level rise
  • Changes in climate, e.g. warmer summers, increased rainfall
• Personal actions to reduce impact of global warming

  • Use renewable energy sources
  • Reduce energy consumption at home
  • Use public transport
• Carbon capture


  Process where carbon dioxide formed by industry is caught, removed by pipes, and stored securely in geological sites
• Fractional distillation


  Process to separate gases based on their different boiling points, similar to separating crude oil into fractions
• Tests to identify gases

  • Oxygen: Place in presence of glowing splint, relights the splint
  • Hydrogen: Place in presence of lit splint, hear a squeaky 'pop'
  • Carbon dioxide: Bubble the gas through limewater, limewater turns milky
• Acid rain


  Occurs when sulfur dioxide from fossil fuel combustion forms a solution of sulfuric acid in the atmosphere, which then falls as acid rain
• Effects of acid rain

  • Lowers pH of lakes, damages aquatic life, damages forests and vegetation, damages buildings and increases metal corrosion
• Personal actions to reduce effects of acid rain

  • Use renewable energy sources
  • Neutralise affected soil and lakes with weak alkalis
• Sulfur scrubbing


  Process where slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) is sprayed onto waste gases to neutralise them before they leave the chimneys