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The Earth and its Atmosphere
Oxygen started to appear on Earth due to blue-green algae which formed colonies called stromatolites.

The Earth and its Atmosphere

Revise GCSE Chemistry atmosphere and pollution: learn key gases, greenhouse effects, and how pollutants form and impact health and the environment. Read the notes, then try the quiz below.

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Fascinating Fact:

Human activities can also release pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These can cause acid rain and irritate the respiratory system.

In GCSE Chemistry, The Earth and Its Atmosphere looks at the gases around our planet and how they have changed, as well as how human activity affects air quality. You will learn about greenhouse gases, particulate pollution, and the chemistry behind acid rain and climate impacts.

Key Terms

  • Pollutant: A substance added to the environment that can cause harm to living things or ecosystems.
  • Particulates: Tiny solid particles (such as soot) suspended in the air that can be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Acid rain: Rain made more acidic when gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve in water droplets.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What causes acid rain in GCSE Chemistry?

Acid rain is caused when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react in the atmosphere and dissolve in rainwater to form acidic solutions. These gases are often released by burning fuels.

Why are particulates harmful to health?

Particulates are harmful because they can be breathed deep into the lungs, where they irritate tissues and can worsen asthma and other respiratory problems. Very small particles can enter the bloodstream.

What is the difference between a pollutant and a greenhouse gas?

A pollutant is any harmful substance added to the environment, such as sulfur dioxide or particulates. A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat, such as carbon dioxide or methane, and it may or may not be harmful at low levels.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
Which was thought to be the most abundant gas in the Earth's early atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Argon
Oxygen didn't appear until the cyanobacteria had evolved. These microorganisms were able to photosynthesise
2 .
Carbon dioxide entered the early atmosphere when it was released from...
the oceans
the volcanoes
comets from space
water in the atmosphere
Volcanoes released other gases into the atmosphere too, including water vapour
3 .
The percentage of water on the planet did NOT increase due to...
volcanoes
comets
condensation from the atmosphere
plants
Plants give out oxygen as a waste product of the process of photosynthesis
4 .
Which of the following gases is thought NOT to have been present in the early atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide
Water vapour
Oxygen
Methane
Oxygen did not appear until the evolution of photosynthesising organisms
5 .
Oxygen started to appear on Earth due to what organisms?
Blue-green algae
Plants
Humans
Viruses
More accurately called cyanobacteria
6 .
What process produces oxygen as a waste product?
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Decomposition
Combustion
During photosynthesis, the useful product glucose is made from water and carbon dioxide. The process gets its energy from sunlight
7 .
Which of the following is NOT a reason for the small percentage of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere today?
Some carbon dioxide has dissolved in the oceans
Carbon dioxide has been used to form sedimentary rocks
Some carbon dioxide has been locked up in fossil fuels
There has always only been a small amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
The carbon cycle locks away carbon dioxide. The Earth needs some carbon dioxide so that plants can photosynthesise and also to help to keep the average temperature of the Earth at about 15°C, but if there is too much, there would be a runaway greenhouse effect and the Earth would become uninhabitable
8 .
At one time in the Earth's formation, some of the surface iron was oxidised. What gas in the atmosphere could NOT have caused this change?
Nitrogen
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen
Water vapour
Nitrogen is almost inert, it is very hard to get it to react with anything
9 .
Which of the following developments is NOT as a result of concerns about carbon dioxide levels and global warming?
Use of ethanol as a fuel in cars
Use of diesel oil instead of petrol in cars
Use of vegetable oils as a fuel in cars
Development of electric cars
Diesel is also a hydrocarbon obtained from fossil fuels and produces carbon dioxide when burnt
10 .
The change in carbon dioxide concentration in the last 50 years is thought to be a result of...
increased volcanic activity
increase in the use of fossil fuels
variation in the sun's energy output
increase in ocean temperatures
More and more people have cars and the developing countries have a greater need for energy as they become more industrialised
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Developing the atmosphere

Author:  Kate Gardiner (Chemistry Educator & GCSE Quiz Writer)
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