The Earth’s early atmosphere was a mixture of gases - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 5
The Earth’s early atmosphere was a mixture of gases.
One theory is that the Earth’s early atmosphere had the composition shown in Table 4.
Gas Pe... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The Earth’s early atmosphere was a mixture of gases - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Suggest one reason why this conclusion may not be correct.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
One reason could be that not all gases required for amino acid formation were present in the Earth’s early atmosphere. The conditions of the experiments conducted by Miller and Urey may not accurately reflect the natural conditions on early Earth.
Step 2
Give three reasons why the percentage of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere today is less than the percentage of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s early atmosphere.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Carbon dioxide is used by plants and algae for photosynthesis, effectively reducing its concentration in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is absorbed and dissolved by oceans, where it becomes locked up in carbonates, further decreasing atmospheric levels.
Significant amounts of carbon dioxide are stored in fossil fuels, which means less remains in the atmosphere.
Step 3
Name the two gases that would not condense at -200 °C.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Helium and Neon
Step 4
Suggest why carbon dioxide is removed before the air is cooled.
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Carbon dioxide would freeze at -200 °C, which could block the pipes and equipment used in the distillation process, potentially causing failures.
Step 5
Explain why one of the fractions is a mixture of oxygen and one other gas.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The other gas is argon since both oxygen and argon have similar boiling points, thus they will co-distill in the fractionating column, resulting in a mixture.
Step 6
Explain why each stage is needed in the production of steel.
97%
121 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Stage 1: The introduction of oxygen reacts with carbon in the cast iron, decreasing the carbon content and converting it to steel, which is necessary for achieving desired properties.
Stage 2: Adding small amounts of other metals allows the steel to develop specific properties, ensuring it is not too brittle or soft, thus making it suitable for various applications.