Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases

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Question 7
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A student investigates the greenhouse effect of four different gases (N2\text{N}_2N2​, CO2\text{CO}_2CO2​, CH4\text{CH}_4CH4​, and H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}H2​O) by measuring the temperature change inside a sealed flask of each gas when exposed to an infrared lamp for 15 minutes.

The student's results are shown in the table below:

FlaskGasTemperature change (∘C^\circ\text{C}∘C)
1Nitrogen (N2\text{N}_2N2​)0.00.00.0
2Carbon dioxide (CO2\text{CO}_2CO2​)+2.8+2.8+2.8
3Methane (CH4\text{CH}_4CH4​)+4.2+4.2+4.2
4Water vapour (H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}H2​O)+5.1+5.1+5.1
a.

Explain why the temperature increased in Flasks 2, 3, and 4, but did not change in Flask 1.

[2]
b.

Describe a valid experimental method to find the position of an unknown gas, Y\text{Y}Y, in this relative order of greenhouse effectiveness. State two variables that must be kept constant.

[4]
c.

Describe the main components of a fully labelled diagram illustrating the greenhouse effect on Earth. Include the relative wavelengths of incoming and outgoing radiation, the role of the Earth's surface, and how the interaction between greenhouse gases and outgoing radiation leads to global climate change.

[4]

Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Chemistry
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