Earth & Atmospheric ScienceEdexcel GCSE Chemistry: Flashcards
Card 1 of 130 of 13 known
Question
What produced the Earth's early atmosphere?
Tap or press Space to reveal
Tap card or press Space to flip
See all 13 cards
- What produced the Earth's early atmosphere?
- Volcanic activity (volcanoes releasing gases).
- What three things did the early atmosphere mostly contain?
- A large amount of carbon dioxide, water vapour, and little or no oxygen.
- How did the oceans form?
- Water vapour condensed as the Earth cooled.
- How did carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere fall after the oceans formed?
- Carbon dioxide dissolved into the oceans, and was later locked into sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels.
- What process released oxygen into the atmosphere?
- Photosynthesis by early plants and algae, which used carbon dioxide and released oxygen.
- What is the chemical test for oxygen?
- Insert a glowing splint into the gas — it relights if oxygen is present.
- What is the approximate composition of today's atmosphere?
- About 80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, with small amounts of carbon dioxide, argon and other gases.
- Name three greenhouse gases.
- Carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour.
- Explain the greenhouse effect.
- Greenhouse gases absorb heat radiated from the Earth's surface and re-release it in all directions, warming the Earth.
- What two human activities increase greenhouse gas levels?
- Burning fossil fuels (releases CO2) and livestock farming (releases methane).
- What correlation is used as evidence for human-caused climate change?
- A correlation between rising atmospheric CO2, increasing fossil fuel consumption and rising global temperature.
- Name two uncertainties in climate change evidence.
- Measurements are taken at different locations (may not be representative), and historical data (e.g. from ice cores) has some inaccuracy.
- What must be considered when evaluating ways to mitigate climate change?
- Scale, risk and environmental implications.