The atmosphere is a vital component of Earth’s environment. It provides us with oxygen for respiration, helps trap the heat of the Sun, and protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It has several layers, each with its own unique properties, such as the ozone layer, which shields us from UV radiation. In the upper atmosphere, molecules are constantly bouncing off each other, creating a protective barrier against meteors and other objects entering the atmosphere. In the lower atmosphere, air pressure is strong enough to create winds, while clouds form as water vapor condenses. Understanding the atmosphere is essential to understanding climate change, since it plays a major role in regulating Earth’s temperature. Through short questions, long questions, MCQs, and multiple-choice questions, students can gain a deeper understanding of the atmosphere and its role in our environment.
The atmosphere Punjab Class 10 Notes in Pdf for (PCTB) New
The atmosphere is a complex system consisting of different gases that surround the Earth. It plays a crucial role in supporting life by providing oxygen and protecting the Earth from harmful radiation. However, human activities have contributed to the degradation of the atmosphere, leading to several environmental issues such as climate change and air pollution. In this article, we will explore the chemistry of the atmosphere and the impact of human activities on it.
The atmosphere is composed of several gases, with nitrogen and oxygen being the most abundant. Other gases include carbon dioxide, water vapor, and noble gases such as helium and argon. The composition of the atmosphere has changed over time, with the evolution of life and the influence of geological processes.
Human activities have contributed to the increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels. This has led to an increase in the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat in the atmosphere and causing global warming. Climate change has several environmental consequences, including rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and changes in ecosystems.
Air pollution is another significant environmental issue caused by human activities. Pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter are released into the atmosphere through industrial processes, transportation, and burning of biomass. These pollutants can have serious health effects on humans and wildlife, such as respiratory problems and heart disease.
Environmental chemistry plays an important role in understanding the chemistry of the atmosphere and the impact of human activities on it. Scientists can use various analytical techniques, such as spectroscopy and chromatography, to detect and measure pollutants in the atmosphere. Additionally, atmospheric models can help predict the long-term impact of human activities on the climate and the environment.
In conclusion, the atmosphere is a complex system that plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth. However, human activities have led to the degradation of the atmosphere, resulting in several environmental issues such as climate change and air pollution. Environmental chemistry can help us understand the chemistry of the atmosphere and the impact of human activities on it, providing a basis for developing effective strategies to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
Explain the phenomenon of decreasing temperature in the troposphere?
The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface where the weather takes place. A small concentration of carbon dioxide and water vapour in the atmosphere plays a major role in regulating air temperature. They allow solar energy to pass through and absorb thermal radiation emitted from the planet’s surface. Therefore, these gases absorb much of the outgoing radiations and result in an increase in temperature. As the concentration of gases in the troposphere decreases rapidly with altitude, correspondingly the temperature also decreases at a rate of 6oC per kilometre.
state the major sources of CO and CO2 emission
Sources of CO and CO2 emissions
i) The largest human source of CO and CO2 emissions is from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. Fossil fuels burnt in the combustion of automobiles or kiln of an industry emit CO and CO2.
ii) Volcanoes emit clouds of dust and poisonous gases including CO and CO2.
iii) Forest fires and burning of wood release CO2 and CO. Emission of CO dominates in the limited supply of oxygen
CO2 is responsible for heating up the atmosphere, how?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas acts as a glass wall of a greenhouse around the Earth. It allows the heat rays of the Sun to pass through it and reach the Earth. The Earth’s surface absorbs some of this energy and heats up. It cools down by giving off a different form of energy, called infrared radiation. But before all this radiation can escape to outer space, the increased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere absorbs some of it, which makes the atmosphere warmer. Thus CO2 prevents heat energy from escaping from the atmosphere. So, CO2 is responsible for heating up the atmosphere. Exessive heating due to CO2 is called global warming.
CO is a hidden enemy, explain its action.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that has no odour, colour or taste and can be very dangerous to health. This means that we have no way to detect the problem until we become ill. CO can cause harmful health effects by reducing oxygen delivery to the body’s organs (like the heart and brain) and tissues. Exposure to higher concentrations of CO can cause headaches, fatigue and death. The initial symptoms are flu-like but without a fever. High-level poisoning can result in vomiting, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and blurred vision.
What threats are to human health due to SO2 gas as an air pollutant?
SO2 is a colourless gas with an unpleasant and irritating odour. It causes suffocation and severe respiratory problems to people suffering from asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
Which air pollutant is produced on the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter?
Anaerobic decomposition of organic matter takes place in the absence of oxygen through bacterial activity. The main products of anaerobic decomposition are methane, CO2 and H2S.
How acid rain increases the acidity of soil?
Acid rain is formed when rainwater dissolves acidic air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide producing H2SO4 and HNO3. Acid rain enters the soil and increases its acidity. Acid rain leaches many of the existing soil nutrients from the soil, which can seriously damage the roots of trees, thus, making it virtually impossible for them to survive. They get dry and die. It increases the toxic metals in the soil that poisons the vegetation.
Point out two serious effects of ozone depletion.
Effects of ozone depletion
i) Depletion of ozone allows ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the Sun to reach the Earth that can cause harm to human health. Exposure to UV rays can result in skin cancers, sunburns and premature ageing of the skin.
ii) It can disrupt the food chain changing the lifecycle of plants.
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