Researchers used a chamber containing a carbon-dioxide-rich mixture of gases, water vapour and rock material to model changes on the early Earth. The chamber was cooled.
| Stage | State of water in the chamber | Carbon dioxide in the gas mixture in % | Mass of carbonate sediment in g |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Water vapour only | 88 | 0.0 |
| Liquid water first collected | Water vapour and liquid water | 63 | 1.4 |
| End | Mainly liquid water | 28 | 16.9 |
Use the results to explain how the changes in the chamber model the reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide when the oceans formed on Earth.
79 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 9.1 The composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, covering 9.1.1 The proportions of different gases in the atmosphere, 9.1.2 The Earth's early atmosphere, 9.1.3 How oxygen increased, and 9.1.4 How carbon dioxide decreased. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.