Earth & Atmospheric Science (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science: Chemistry): Flashcards
Exam code: 1SC0
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Define the early atmosphere.
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Define the early atmosphere.
The early atmosphere refers to the gases surrounding the Earth shortly after it formed, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide and water vapour, with small amounts of nitrogen, methane and ammonia, but very little oxygen.
Name two gases found in the Earth's early atmosphere.
Gases in the Earth's early atmosphere included (roughly most to least abundant):
Carbon dioxide (large amounts — the dominant gas)
Water vapour (large amounts — condensed later to form the oceans)
Nitrogen (smaller amounts)
Methane (smaller amounts)
Ammonia (smaller amounts)
Hydrogen (smaller amounts)
Describe how the oceans formed.
The oceans formed when water vapour in the air condensed.
True or False?
Volcanoes were the main source of the gases which made up the Earth's early atmosphere.
True.
Volcanoes were the main source of the gases which made up the Earth's early atmosphere.
Why did the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease?
The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decreased because it dissolved in the oceans and plants took it in for photosynthesis.
True or False?
The early atmosphere contained high amounts of oxygen.
False.
The early atmosphere contained little or no oxygen.
Describe the test and result for oxygen gas.
The test and result for oxygen gas is a glowing splint relights.
Over time, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decreased as it dissolved in the .......... and was absorbed by plants during .......... .
Over time, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decreased as it dissolved in the oceans and was absorbed by plants during photosynthesis.
Why has the level of oxygen in the atmosphere increased?
The level of oxygen in the atmosphere has increased because plants grew and released oxygen via photosynthesis.
Define greenhouse gas.
A greenhouse gas is a gas in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, water vapour or methane, that absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, trapping heat and contributing to the warming of the Earth.
Name three greenhouse gases.
Three greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect refers to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorbing and trapping infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface, causing warming.
Give the environmental effect of the increased amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The environmental effect of the increased amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is climate change / global warming.
Give two activities which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Two activities which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere are:
combustion of fossil fuels
respiration
thermal decomposition
deforestation
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb .......... radiation emitted from the Earth's surface and re-emit it, preventing heat from escaping and causing the .......... effect.
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface and re-emit it, preventing heat from escaping and causing the greenhouse effect.
What happens to the radiation emitted from the Earth's surface in the greenhouse effect?
It gets absorbed and trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
What is the difference between the greenhouse effect and the enhanced greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect maintains a suitable average global temperature.
The enhanced greenhouse effect refers to increased warming due to higher levels of greenhouse gases.
True or False?
Energy from the sun is absorbed and re-emitted at shorter wavelengths.
False.
Energy from the sun is absorbed and re-emitted at longer wavelengths in the form of infrared radiation.
Define climate change.
Climate change is a long-term shift in global weather patterns and temperatures, largely driven by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activity.
Give two effects of climate change.
Effects of climate change include:
flooding
sea levels rising
ice caps melting
forest fires
destruction of ecosystems
True or False?
Photosynthesis decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
True.
Photosynthesis decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Give two human activities which are contributing to the release of methane.
Two human activities which are contributing to the release of methane are landfill sites and farming.
True or False?
Increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause average global temperatures to increase.
True.
Increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause average global temperatures to increase.
Why is there a higher demand for energy?
There is a higher demand for energy because the population is increasing.
True or False?
Deforestation decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
False.
Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Give the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis.
The balanced symbol equation or photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
How can carbon dioxide levels be reduced?
Carbon dioxide levels can be reduced by using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
True or False?
Governments and economies in developed nations are slowly switching to greener and sustainable sources of energy.
True.
Governments and economies in developed nations are slowly switching to greener and sustainable sources of energy.
Human activities such as burning .......... fuels and .......... increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to enhanced global warming.
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to enhanced global warming.
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