AQA GCSE

Notes and Questions

Chemistry of the Atmosphere

Composition and evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere:

For approximately 200 million years the proportions of different

gases in the atmosphere have been much the same as they are today.

1. Give the names of the most common gases in our atmosphere

and their approximate percentages.
The Earth’s Early Atmosphere:

Theories about what was in the Earth’s early atmosphere and

how the atmosphere was formed have changed and developed over

time. Evidence for the early atmosphere is limited because of the

time scale of 4.6 billion years.

One theory suggests that during the first few billion years of

the Earth’s atmosphere there was intense v________ activity that

released gases that formed the early atmosphere.

2. Give the names of some of the gases which might have been
released?

3. What would have happened to any water vapour produced at

this time?

4. Our atmosphere might have been very like the atmosphere on

which planets today?
5. Look at the graph above and use it to explain how the
atmosphere might have looked at the beginning.
6. Explain what happened to the levels of Carbon Dioxide over
time?

7. Explain what happened to the levels of Nitrogen over time?

8. Explain why the levels of oxygen increased?

Greenhouse Gases:

9. What are the three main greenhouse gases?

10. Use the diagram above to explain the greenhouse effect.

Human Activities which contribute to an increase in greenhouse
gases.

11. Give two examples of activities that may cause an increase

in Carbon Dioxide?

12. Give two examples of activities that may cause an increase

in Methane?

Based on peer-reviewed evidence, many scientists believe that human

activities will cause the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere to
increase at the surface and that this will result in global climate
change.

13. Why do scientists believe that the surface temperature

will increase?
 However, it is difficult to model such complex systems as global
climate changes. This leads to simplified models, speculation and
opinions presented in the media that may be based on only parts of
the evidence.

14. If opinion is based on only parts of the evidence is it

reliable?

15. What are the uncertainties in the evidence base?

16. Why is it important for peer review of results?

17. Why is it important to communicate results to a wide

range of audiences?
Global Climate Change:

18. Give four examples of potential effects of global climate

change.
Carbon footprint and its reduction.

The carbon footprint is the total amount of c________

d__________ and other g__________ gases emitted over the full

life cycle of a p________, s________ or e________.

19. How can your carbon footprint be reduced?

20. Describe actions that could be taken to reduce your

carbon footprint?

21. Give some reasons as to why actions maybe limited?

Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources:

The c____________ of f______________ is a major source of

atmospheric pollutants.

Most f_________, including c________, contain C_________

and/or H____________ and some s_________.

22. What pollutants are produced by complete combustion?

26. What pollutants are produced by incomplete combustion?

25. What causes the difference between complete and

incomplete combustion?

24. How and why is sulphur dioxide produced?

23. How and why are nitrogen oxides produced?

Properties and effects of Atmospheric
Pollutants:

27. Describe and explain why carbon monoxide is dangerous?

28. What are the two main issues with sulphur dioxide and
oxides of nitrogen?

29. What are the two main issues caused by particulates. ?