11y1 Chemistry of the atmosphere

• Chemistry
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

11y1 Chemistry of the atmosphere

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
What is another greenhouse gas?

1. Argon
2. Methane
3. Oxygen
4. Nitrogen

Give two effects of global climate change.

1. Increased drought
2. Rapid formation of polar ice
3. Sea levels decrease
4. Loss of species.

Algae and plants decreased the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by

1. Respiration
2. Translocation
3. Transpiration
4. Photosynthesis

Fossil fuel and sedimentary rock formation decreased which atmospheric gas?

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Oxygen
3. Nitrogen
4. Methane

Read these to help you describe the trend the change in (x axis) compared to the change in (y xaxis)

Read these to help you describe the trend the change in (x axis) compared to the change in (y xaxis)

This is the steepest decline.

The decline in carbon dioxide is decreasing more steadily than before

From here on the amount of carbon dioxide is less than 10% 

How far back in time does the graph show?

What was the highest % of carbon dioxide recorded on the graph?

What year showed the highest amount of carbon dioxide on the graph?

Study the graph as the next slides questions will be about the graph

What was the time scale on the x axis?

1. From 2500 years ago to 0 years ago
2. From 250 years ago to 0 years ago
3. From 2500 million years ago to 0 years ago
4. From 250 million years ago to 0 years ago

What was the title of the y axis?

1. Percentage (%) of CO2 in the atmosphere
2. Percentage (%) of CO in the atmosphere
3. Percentage of methane in the atmosphere
4. Percentage (%) of water in the atmosphere

What is the trend in the graph?

1. The amount of carbon dioxide increased since 250 years ago
2. The amount of carbon dioxide decreased since 250 years ago

Burning item 

Funnel to catch the products of combustion.

Colbalt chloride paper turns pink when water is there.

Limewater turns cloudy when carbon dioxide is there.

The pump draws the gases from combustion into the tubes

What is the test for water vapour?

1. Cobalt chloride paper
2. Limewater

What is the test for carbon dioxide

1. Cobalt chloride paper
2. Limewater

What is the purpose of the funnel and the pump?

Atmospheric pollutants from fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels is a major source of atmospheric pollutants. Most fuels,known as hydrocarbons, contain carbon and hydrogen they may also contain some sulphur (an impurity). 

When a fuel is burned carbon forms carbon dioxide, hydrogen forms water vapour, sulphur forms sulphur dioxide and nitrogen forms oxides of  nitrogen. With less oxygen during the burning carbon may form carbon monoxide.

Any solid particles / unburnt hydrocarbons  released  then form particulates in the atmosphere.

What is a major source of atmospheric pollutant.

1. Combustion of hydrogen
2. Combustion of fossil fuels
3. Combustion of oxygen
4. Combustion of nitrox

Which chemical causes carbon dioxide when burned

1. Sulphur
2. Nitrogen
3. Carbon
4. Hydrogen

Which chemical causes sulphur dioxide when burned

1. Sulphur
2. Nitrogen
3. Carbon
4. Hydrogen

Which chemical causes water when burned

1. Sulphur
2. Nitrogen
3. Carbon
4. Hydrogen

Which chemical causes oxides of nitrogen when burned

1. Sulphur
2. Nitrogen
3. Carbon
4. Hydrogen

Which impurity can be found in fossil fuels

1. Carbon
2. Hydrogen
3. Hydrocarbons
4. Sulphur

Solid unburnt hydrocarbons form ______ in the atmosphere

1. Gases
2. Liquids
3. Particulates
4. Particular

Describe why burning fossil fuels can lead to darkening of buildings and increased breathing problems.

Pollutant	Cause	Effect
Carbon dioxide
Sulphur dioxide
Oxides of nitrogen
Particulates

Carbon monoxide is caused by.....

Sulphur dioxide is caused by...

Oxides of nitrogen are caused by....

Particulates are caused by...

The effects are

The effects are

The effects are

The effects are

Carbon burnt with little oxygen.

Fossil fuels being burned.

Fossil fuels being burned.

Unburnt fossil fuels.

Fuel burns in a car engine.
Describe how oxides of nitrogen are produced in a car engine.

Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere contribute to climate change.
(a)  Give one way deforestation can increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

Name one other gas that contributes to climate change.
Do not refer to carbon dioxide in your answer.

Meat is produced for humans to eat.
Give two ways the production of meat releases carbon dioxide.