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Chapter 17 Practice Paper: Chemistry of the atmosphere — question paper

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QQ/GCSE-CHEM/CH17
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GCSE (9–1) · GCSE Chemistry (Foundation and Higher)

Chapter 17 Practice Paper

Chemistry of the atmosphere

Duration: 40 minutes
Total: 30 marks
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Class:
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Date:

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

  • Answer all questions.
  • Section A contains ten multiple-choice questions. Choose one answer, A, B, C or D, for each.
  • Section B contains structured questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
  • The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
  • The total mark for this paper is 30.

Original practice material written for the MOE GCSE Chemistry syllabus. It is not an official MOE or school examination paper. Chapter 17: atmospheric evolution in three phases, today’s composition, the greenhouse effect and global warming, climate evidence and carbon footprints, and combustion pollutants.

For Examiner’s Use
Section A/ 10
Section B/ 20
Total/ 30

Section A: Multiple-choice questions[10 marks]

Choose one answer for each question. Each question is worth 1 mark.

  1. 1

    Nitrogen makes up what percentage of today’s atmosphere?

    1. A5%
    2. B21%
    3. C50%
    4. D78%
    ( )
  2. 2

    The early atmosphere contained oxygen at a level of

    1. A21%
    2. Balmost none
    3. Cabout 50%
    4. Dmore than today
    ( )
  3. 3

    The oceans were formed when

    1. Awater vapour condensed as Earth cooled
    2. Bvolcanoes filled with lava
    3. Calgae released water
    4. Dasteroids vaporised
    ( )
  4. 4

    Which gas is a greenhouse gas but is NOT carbon dioxide?

    1. Acarbon dioxide
    2. Bsulfur dioxide
    3. Cmethane
    4. Dargon
    ( )
  5. 5

    Greenhouse gases warm Earth by trapping

    1. Aincoming ultraviolet light
    2. Boutgoing long-wave radiation
    3. Crain droplets
    4. Ddust particles
    ( )
  6. 6

    Most atmospheric methane comes from

    1. Acar exhausts
    2. Bpower stations
    3. Cfridges
    4. Dcattle and rice farming
    ( )
  7. 7

    Sulfur dioxide is produced when power stations burn coal containing

    1. Anitrogen compounds
    2. Bwater
    3. Csulfur impurities
    4. Dash only
    ( )
  8. 8

    Oxides of nitrogen form in engines when

    1. Anitrogen and oxygen from the air react at high temperature
    2. Bfuel contains nitrogen dye
    3. Cexhausts cool down
    4. Dcatalysts leak
    ( )
  9. 9

    Acid rain is known to damage

    1. Anothing at all
    2. Blakes, forests and buildings
    3. Conly car windows
    4. Donly iron railings
    ( )
  10. 10

    Which action cuts a carbon footprint?

    1. Aidling car engines
    2. Bburning more coal
    3. Cclearing forests
    4. Dswitching to renewable electricity
    ( )

Section B: Structured questions[20 marks]

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

  1. 11

    This question is about the composition of the atmosphere.

    1. (a)

      Give the percentages of nitrogen, oxygen, argon and carbon dioxide in dry air.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Describe two ways today’s air differs from the early atmosphere.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Name the process responsible for the rise in oxygen.

      [1]
  2. 12

    This question is about the greenhouse effect.

    1. (a)

      Give the names of any two greenhouse gases.

      [1]
    2. (b)

      Describe how greenhouse gases keep Earth warm.

      [3]
    3. (c)

      Explain what makes the greenhouse effect "enhanced".

      [2]
    4. (d)

      Give two human activities that increase atmospheric greenhouse gases.

      [2]
  3. 13

    This question is about combustion pollutants from a city’s traffic and power station.

    1. (a)

      Write the equation for the formation of sulfur dioxide in a coal power station.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Write the equation for the formation of nitrogen monoxide inside a hot engine, and explain why the reaction only happens there.

      [3]
    3. (c)

      Name the pollutant responsible for sooty deposits and state one effect it has.

      [1]
    4. (d)

      Name the environmental problem caused when SO₂ and NOₓ dissolve in rain.

      [1]

— End of paper —