9.2 CO2 & CH4 as Greenhouse Gases

This question is about the atmosphere.

The planet Saturn has many moons, including one named Titan. 

Titan's atmosphere is warmer than other moons because it contains methane, a greenhouse gas. 

Explain how methane keeps Titan warmer than other moons.

In addition to methane, other gases are found in the atmosphere of Titan.

These gases and their percentages are shown in Table 1. 

Table 1 

Explain why life could not have evolved in the same way it is thought to have evolved on Earth. 

Methane can also be used as a fuel and undergo combustion to produce carbon dioxide and water. 

The equation for this reaction can be shown as:

 Table 1

Use the bond energies in Table 1 to calculate the energy change for the reaction. 

Explain, in terms of bond making and breaking, why this is an exothermic reaction. 

This question is about global climate change. 

Figure 1 shows how the mean global air temperature has changed from 1860 to 2000.

Figure 1

Describe the main trend shown above and explain how human activities have contributed to it. 

Explain the effects of global climate change on the environment, humans and wildlife.

Describe how greenhouse gases help maintain temperatures on Earth. 

An alternative to using fuels obtained from crude oil, such as diesel oil (also known as fossil diesel) is to use biodiesel.

Biodiesel can be made from many vegetable oils. 

Biodiesel’s contribution to global warming is considered to be much less than that of fossil diesel.

Explain why.

Human activity is affecting the composition of the atmosphere. 

Suggest one reason how each of the following factors affects the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Increased energy consumption: ____________________________________________________________ 

Deforestation: ____________________________________________________________

A student says:

'If the amount of methane in the atmosphere continues to increase, it will lead to a drop in global food production in the future.'

Explain why the student could be right. 

Explain how an increasing population increases the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. 

Suggest two reasons why it is difficult to produce models for future climate change. 

This question is based on the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Give three reasons why producing models for future climate change is difficult.

Describe the way in which carbon dioxide helps to maintain temperatures on the Earth.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.

Name the other two greenhouse gases.

This question is about carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Give three ways in which carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by industrial and human activity.

Give three ways in which carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by geological activity on carbonate rocks.

Explain how the greenhouse gases can increase the temperature of the Earth.

Give three environmental effects of global climate change.

This question is about carbon footprints.

Explain what the term ‘carbon footprint’ means.

Describe ways in which the carbon footprint can be reduced.