Core Chemistry Smart Teach 1: The Atmosphere
Key terms used in exam questions Abundant – most common Composition – how much of each gas is present
Why don’t we know what the early atmosphere was like? Nobody was there No measurements were taken Different sources conflict
The Early Earth The Earth Today The early Earth was rocky and dry The gases in the atmosphere came from volcanoes The most abundant gasses were: Carbon dioxide Water Vapour The Earth today contains oceans The most abundant gasses in dry air are: Nitrogen: 78% Oxygen: 21% Carbon dioxide 0.04% Argon 0.9%
The Earth cooled down and water vapour condensed The Early Earth The Earth Today The Earth cooled down and water vapour condensed No oceans Oceans Why?
Carbon dioxide dissolved in the oceans The Early Earth The Earth Today Carbon dioxide dissolved in the oceans Lots of Carbon dioxide Less carbon dioxide Why?
No oxygen 21% Oxygen Why? The Early Earth The Earth Today Plants evolved and carried out photosynthesis: Take in carbon dioxide give out oxygen No oxygen 21% Oxygen Why?
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The amount of carbon dioxide does change in todays atmosphere! The Earth Today Increasing Carbon dioxide: Burning fossil fuels Volcanic eruptions Deforestation Respiration Decreasing Carbon Dioxide: Dissolving in the Oceans Photosynthesis The amount of carbon dioxide does change in todays atmosphere! WHY? The Earth today contains oceans The most abundant gasses in dry air are: Nitrogen: 78% Oxygen: 21% Carbon dioxide 0.04% Argon 0.9%
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Exam Questions on percentage gases Questions where you are asked the most abundant gas remaining after an experiment THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS NITROGEN
Exam Questions on percentage gases Questions where you are asked to write the word equation THE ANSWER IS usually in the question