AQA Chemistry Unit 5.

9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere - Higher

a e h l
Billions of years ago, what was the surface of the Earth Name two other gases that are produced from burning What is a greenhouse gas? Scientists use the term carbon footprint.
covered in? fossil fuels.  Define what this term means.
 1.   

 
What gas made up most of the Earth’s early atmosphere? 2. 
Circle one of the following. 
How do greenhouse gases work?
What problems can they cause? 

oxygen carbon dioxide nitrogen helium 


 m
ammonia methane water vapour  List three ways of reducing the carbon footprint.

 1. 

b  i 
How was carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere? Why is carbon dioxide linked to climate change?
 

2. 

f 
 How many billions of years ago did algae evolve?

Choose the correct answer.
What evolved to carry out photosynthesis?
 3. 
 a. 1.0
 

b. 2.7  


c. 5.6
 n
c What is the biggest reason for governments not lowering
Match up the proportions of gases with the percentage for d. 6.4
their carbon footprint?
today’s atmosphere.
g j 
Why is climate change such a problem?
Complete the equation for photosynthesis.
nitrogen less than 1% What are the consequences of it? 
carbon dioxide + water 

oxygen 80% 6CO₂ + 6H₂0  o

Complete combustion is...

Why is this equation so important for the evolution of the 
atmosphere? 
other gases 20% 
 
Incomplete combustion is...

d 
Why is it difficult to be sure about the evolution of  k
Why is releasing particulates a problem? 
the atmosphere? 

 
 During incomplete combustion, what other things are
 released into the atmosphere?
What could then evolve? 

 1. 
 What can carbon monoxide do to the body?
 2. 

 3. 

AQA Chemistry Unit 5.9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere - Higher Answers
a e h l
Billions of years ago, what was the surface of the Earth Name two other gases that are produced from burning What is a greenhouse gas? Scientists use the term carbon footprint.
covered in? fossil fuels. They keep the Earth warm enough to support life, Define what this term means.
volcanoes 1. sulphur dioxide e.g. carbon dioxide. Too many of these gases in the The amount of greenhouse gases released over the full

atmosphere may lead to climate change. life cycle of something.

What gas made up most of the Earth’s early atmosphere? 2. nitrogen oxides
Circle one of the following.
How do greenhouse gases work?
What problems can they cause?
They stop heat escaping from Earth into space (they
oxygen carbon dioxide nitrogen helium Acid rain, damage to buildings, kills animals and plants
absorb it), warming the Earth’s atmosphere up.
and causes respiratory problems.
m
ammonia methane water vapour List three ways of reducing the carbon footprint.

Answers could include:

b i • renewable energy resources;
How was carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere? Why is carbon dioxide linked to climate change?

Dissolved into the oceans. • governments could tax companies on the amount of gases
they give out;

f • limits on greenhouse gases;

How many billions of years ago did algae evolve?
What evolved to carry out photosynthesis? Choose the correct answer.
• carbon capture to store CO₂ underground.
Green plants and algae. The Earth's surface temperature has been increasing.
a. 1.0
Scientists believe this is due to the extra carbon dioxide
b. 2.7 being produced by human activity. This may lead to
climate change.
c. 5.6
n
c What is the biggest reason for governments not lowering
Match up the proportions of gases with the percentage for d. 6.4
their carbon footprint?
today’s atmosphere.
g j economic reasons
Why is climate change such a problem?
Complete the equation for photosynthesis.
nitrogen less than 1% What are the consequences of it?
carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen Answers can refer to: melting of the polar ice caps; sea

oxygen 80% 6CO₂ + 6H₂0 0₂ + C₆H1₂O₆ levels may rise; more flooding; changes in rainfall; more o
Complete combustion is...
severe/frequent storms; may affect food production.
Why is this equation so important for the evolution of the plenty of oxygen available and all the fuel burns.
other gases 20% atmosphere? 
This built up the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, and
Incomplete combustion is...
it also removes carbon dioxide. 
d not enough oxygen available and some of the fuel does
Why is it difficult to be sure about the evolution of  k
Why is releasing particulates a problem? not burn.
the atmosphere? 
If breathed in they can cause lung damage and breathing
The atmosphere started to evolve around 4.6 billion years
What could then evolve? problems. Also, they can contribute to global dimming. During incomplete combustion, what other things are
ago, so there is a lack of evidence. released into the atmosphere?
This meant that oxygen dependant lifeforms could
then evolve.  1. soot
What can carbon monoxide do to the body?
2. carbon monoxide
Stops the blood carrying oxygen around the body, a lack
3. unburnt fuel
of oxygen could kill.