Chemistry of the Environment and Atmosphere

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary factor affecting the saturation level of air concerning water vapor?

Wind speed

Humidity

Air temperature (correct)

Air pressure

Which atmospheric layer contains approximately 90% of the total atmospheric water vapor?

Stratosphere

Thermosphere

Troposphere (correct)

Mesosphere

What percentage of incoming shortwave solar radiation is absorbed by water vapor?

80%

60%

70% (correct)

50%

Which greenhouse gas is primarily affected by human activities such as burning fossil fuels?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What is the bond angle between the two hydrogen atoms in liquid water?

105° Signup and view all the answers

How many varieties of water molecules can exist due to the isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen?

18 Signup and view all the answers

What type of bonds exist between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water?

Polar covalent bonds Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of outgoing long-wave radiation is absorbed by water vapor?

60% Signup and view all the answers

What primarily comprised the primitive atmosphere of the Earth?

Hydrogen and helium Signup and view all the answers

What major factor contributed to the loss of the primitive atmosphere?

Solar winds from the Sun Signup and view all the answers

Which gases were mainly released during the formation of the secondary atmosphere?

Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ammonia Signup and view all the answers

Which process leads to the formation of nitrogen in the atmosphere?

Breakdown of ammonia by sunlight Signup and view all the answers

What role did the oceans play in the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere?

Absorbed atmospheric carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What charge do hydrogen atoms acquire in a water molecule?

Slightly positive Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of hydrogen bonds that water can form?

4 Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the cooling process of the Earth after the secondary atmosphere was formed?

Formation of a solid crust Signup and view all the answers

What method contributed to the formation of oxygen in the atmosphere?

Photochemical dissociation of water vapor Signup and view all the answers

Why does ice float on water?

Ice has a smaller coordination number Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant characteristic of the secondary atmosphere when it formed?

It was similar to the atmospheres of Mars and Venus Signup and view all the answers

What is the specific heat of water?

1 cal/g/°C Signup and view all the answers

What effect does temperature have on vapor pressure?

Increases vapor pressure when increased Signup and view all the answers

What is the latent heat of fusion for water?

80 calories Signup and view all the answers

How does the addition of solutes like salt affect the vapor pressure of water?

It decreases vapor pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is a property of water that makes it an excellent solvent?

High dielectric strength Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's crust by weight comprises inorganic components?

47% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary mineral?

Kaolinite Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a secondary mineral?

Gibbsite Signup and view all the answers

Soil organic matter excludes which of the following?

Undecayed plant tissues Signup and view all the answers

Where are secondary minerals primarily found in soil?

Clay fraction Signup and view all the answers

What defines the principal cations responsible for hardness in water?

Calcium, magnesium, strontium, ferrous, and manganous ions Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the formation of hard water?

Thick top soil and limestone formations Signup and view all the answers

What primary focus did soil chemistry have before its expansion into environmental concerns?

Chemical reactions affecting plant growth and nutrition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT part of the inorganic portion of soil?

Decomposed organic matter Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the smallest unit that can be considered as 'soil'?

Pedon Signup and view all the answers

What important study has emerged due to concerns over contaminants in soil and water?

Environmental soil chemistry Signup and view all the answers

Which elements are primarily found in soils in the highest quantities?

O, Si, Al, Fe, C, Ca, K, Na, Mg Signup and view all the answers

How do peds form in soil?

Through aggregation of sand, silt, and clay particles Signup and view all the answers

What process contributed to the formation of oxygen in the early atmosphere?

Photochemical dissociation of water vapor Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms were primarily responsible for the initial release of oxygen into Earth's atmosphere?

Cyanobacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason that 97% of Earth's water is unusable for drinking and agriculture?

It is saline water from oceans Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to pollutants that have a direct influence on bodies of water?

Point sources Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about polar bonds in water is correct?

Oxygen has a 40% partial ionic character Signup and view all the answers

What does soil organic matter, also known as humus, comprise?

Decomposed organic compounds and soil biomass Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of science focuses on the chemical composition and properties of soils?

Soil chemistry Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes in situ techniques from non-in-situ techniques for decontaminating soils?

In situ techniques treat soil without removal Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Chemistry of the Environment

Our environment encompasses air, land, water, and climate
Chemistry is crucial for understanding, monitoring, protecting, and improving the environment
Chemists develop tools to measure and track pollution
They study how climate has changed over time

Formation of the Atmosphere

Primitive Atmosphere (4.5 billion years ago): Primarily hydrogen and helium, with ammonia and methane
Strong Solar Winds: Removed the early atmosphere due to the lack of a magnetic field
Secondary Atmosphere (formation of the solid crust and active volcanoes): Primarily water vapor, carbon dioxide, ammonia
Condensation and Ocean Formation: Water vapor cooled, clouds formed, and oceans absorbed significant carbon dioxide
Nitrogen Formation: Ammonia broke down to create nitrogen through sunlight
Other Gases: Hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and chlorine
Oxidizing Atmosphere: Formation of oxygen from the photochemical dissociation of water vapor, though the amount produced is negligible
Photosynthesis: Cyanobacteria released significant oxygen as a byproduct of this process

Importance of Atmospheric Gases

Nitrogen: Essential for all living systems, involved in the nitrogen cycle.
Oxygen: Fundamental for life, exchanged between the atmosphere and biosphere through photosynthesis and respiration.

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Description

Explore the intricate relationship between chemistry and the environment. This quiz covers the formation of the atmosphere from primitive to secondary states, examining the gases involved and their significance. Understand how chemistry is essential for monitoring and protecting our planet.