Unit 9 - Chemistry of the Atmosphere

**Topic** **Unit 9 -- Chemistry of the atmosphere** **R** **A** **G** ---------------------------------------------------------...

**Topic** **Unit 9 -- Chemistry of the atmosphere** **R** **A** **G** -------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- ------- **4.9.1 The composition and evolution of the Earth\'s atmosphere** Describe the composition of gases in the Earth\'s atmosphere using percentages, fractions or ratios       Describe how early intense volcanic activity may have helped form the early atmosphere and how the oceans formed       Explain why the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere changes as the oceans were formed       State the approximate time in Earth\'s history when algae started producing oxygen and describe the effects of a gradually increasing oxygen level       Explain the ways that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels decreased       **4.9.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases** Name some greenhouse gases and describe how they cause an increase in Earth\'s temperature       List some human activities that produce greenhouse gases       Evaluate arguments for and against the idea that human activities cause a rise in temperature that results in global climate change       State some potential side effects of global climate change, including discussing scale, risk and environmental implications       Define the term carbon footprint and list some actions that could reduce the carbon footprint       **4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources** Describe the combustion of fuels as a major source of atmospheric pollutants and name the different gases that are released when a fuel is burned       Predict the products of combustion of a fuel given appropriate information about the composition of the fuel and the conditions in which it is used       Describe the properties and effects of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and particulates in the atmosphere       Describe and explain the problems caused by increased amounts of these pollutants in the air