9.2.1 Greenhouse gases
- Maintain temp on Earth high enough to support life
- Greenhouse gases – H2O(g), CO2, CH4
Describe greenhouse effect in terms of the interaction of short and long wavelength radiation with matter
- Energy from sun passes through atmosphere as short wavelength radiation eg UV & visible light coz short wavelength radiation doesn’t interact strongly with gas molecules in atmosphere
- Some energy absorbed by earth & heats up the earth’s surface
- Some reflects back towards space as long wavelength radiation. They are then absorbed by greenhouse gases in atmosphere
- Greenhouse gases then re-emit the energy in all directions
- Long wavelength radiation is thermal energy so heat is trapped by layer of greenhouse gases in atmosphere, result in increased temp in earth’s surface
Saturn has other moons. The other moons of Saturn have no atmosphere. Titan is warmer than the other moons of Saturn because its atmosphere contains the greenhouse gas methane.
Explain how this greenhouse gas keeps Titan warmer than the other moons of Saturn. (3)
- Methane allows short wavelength radiation to pass through (from the sun)
- Which is re-emitted from the surface as longer wavelength radiation
- Which is absorbed by methane in the atmosphere
9.2.2 Human activities which contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased over the last one hundred years. Suggest two reasons why this has happened (2)
- Burning of fossil fuels or cars / industry / air travel / power stations
- Natural processes cannot absorb all the extra CO2
- Deforestation
Name two activities that increase the amount of methane in the atmosphere (2)
- Rice growing
- Farm animals
- Landfill (when rubbish rots → release CH4)
Give one effect that increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may have on the environment (1)
Global warming
9.2.3 Global climate change
Explain why global warming is a threat to natural environment. (5) – Geography x Biology
- Melting of ice caps – ↑ sea level – flooding of low lying islands
- Loss of habitats – loss of food sources – disrupt food chain – threat species extinction – ↓ biodiversity
- Coral bleaching – warming of sea water
- ↑ drought – rising temp make dry areas drier – water evaporates quickly
- ↑ flooding – rising temp make wet areas wetter – warm air absorbs more water – heavier rainfall
How burning coal affect amount of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere? (2)
- Increases CO2
- Coz carbon in coal reacts with O2 when being burnt
Suggest 2 reasons why the world’s production of coal is predicted to increase (2)
- Growth of population increases demand of coal
- Coal is easy to extract
9.2.4 The carbon footprint and its reduction
Carbon footprint – total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event
Describe actions to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and methane
Use renewable energy sources & nuclear power | No atmospheric pollution |
Use biofuels |
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Carbon capture and storage |
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Increase energy efficiency |
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More recycling / less landfill waste | Less waste decomposes so less CH4 produced |
Eat less meat | Less cattle excretion of CH4 |
Gov introduce laws / tax companies | Tax based on how many greenhouse gases they emit |
Give two reasons why actions may be limited (2)
- Expensive cost
- Lack of international agreement
- Increase in population / change in lifestyle
Suggest why burning wood in power stations is ‘carbon-neutral’ (2)
- CO2 produced from burning wood
- Plants absorb CO2 for photosynthesis