EXAM QUESTIONS

AQA TRILOGY

CHEMISTRY OF THE
ATMOSPHERE

Q1-6 FOUNDATON

Q3-9 HIGHER

MARK SCHEME AT THE END OF

ALL THE QUESTIONS

Page 1 of 25
Q1.
(a)  What percentage of the Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen?

Tick one box.

5% 20% 50% 80%

(1)

(b)  During the first billion years of the Earth’s existence the amount of nitrogen in the
atmosphere increased.

Give one source of this nitrogen.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)  Nitrogen is used to make ammonia.

The word equation for the reaction is:

nitrogen + hydrogen ______________ ammonia

Write the correct symbol in the equation to show that it is a reversible reaction.
(1)

(d)  A reversible reaction can reach equilibrium.

Complete the sentence.

Equilibrium is reached when the forward reaction and the reverse reaction happen

at the same ____________________ .

(1)

(e)  Fertilisers are formulations containing nitrogen.

What is a formulation?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(f)  The table below shows percentages of chemical elements in a fertiliser.

Element Percentage (%)

Nitrogen (N) 7.0

Phosphorus (P) 3.1

Page 2 of 25
 Potassium (K) 5.8

Draw the bar for potassium on Figure 1

Use the information in the table above.

Figure 1

(1)

(g)  A fertiliser contains 0.225 g of iron per 3.0 g of fertiliser.

Which calculation gives the percentage of iron in the fertiliser?

Tick one box.

(1)

(h)  Figure 2 shows the use of fertiliser in four different countries, A, B, C and D, in 2003
and 2015

Figure 2

Page 3 of 25
 A student said:

‘much more fertiliser was used in 2015 than in 2003’

Is the student correct?

Use data from Figure 2 to justify your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Q2.
The table shows the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere today.

Gas Percentage (%)

N2 78.0

O2 21.0

Ar 0.9

Other gases X

(a) What is the percentage of X?

Tick one box.

0.01% 0.1% 1% 10%

Page 4 of 25
 (1)

(b) Complete Figure 1.

Plot the data from the table on Figure 1.

Figure 1

(1)

(c) What is the name of the gas with symbol Ar?

Tick one box.

Aluminium

Argon

Arsenic

Astatine

(1)

(d) Figure 2 shows the gases in the atmosphere of Mars today.

Figure 2

Page 5 of 25
 Some theories suggest that the Earth’s early atmosphere was the same as the
atmosphere of Mars today.

Describe the change in the percentage of oxygen from the Earth’s early atmosphere
to the Earth’s atmosphere today.

Use values from the table and Figure 2.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) Figure 3 shows the percentage of greenhouse gases from human activities.

Figure 3

Compare the contribution of each activity to the total amount of greenhouse gases.

Page 6 of 25
 Use data from Figure 3.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(f) Suggest one way greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(g) Give one reason why it is difficult for some countries to reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 11 marks)

Q3.
The bar chart shows some of the gases in the atmospheres of Earth today and Mars
today.

Page 7 of 25
 (a) Complete the bar chart to show the percentage of nitrogen in the Earth’s
atmosphere today.
(1)

(b) Some scientists suggest that the Earth’s early atmosphere was like the atmosphere
of Mars today.

(i) There is not much oxygen in the atmosphere of Mars.

Suggest why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) The percentage of argon in the Earth’s atmosphere today is the same as it
was in the Earth’s early atmosphere.

Suggest why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Compared with the percentage of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s early atmosphere
there is not much carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere today.

Give one reason for this change.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.

Some theories suggest that the Earth’s early atmosphere was

burning fossil fuels.

made by the formation of oceans.

the eruption of volcanoes.

(1)
(Total 5 marks)

Q4.
Human activity contributes to pollution.

The concentration of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere is measured in different

places across the world.

Figure 1 shows the diameter of some different particles.

Page 8 of 25
 Figure 1

(a) PM2.5 are particles which are 2.5 × 10–6 m in diameter or smaller

What is the maximum diameter of PM2.5 particles in millimetres?

Tick one box.

0.025

0.0025

0.000025

0.00000025

(1)

(b) Which two particles in Figure 1 are included in the PM2.5 measure of air pollution?

Tick two boxes.

Beach sand

Cement dust

Pollen

Soot

Tobacco smoke

(2)

Figure 2 shows how the concentration of PM2.5 affects death rates.

Figure 2

Page 9 of 25
(c) Compare the effect of PM2.5 concentration on the death rate from lung cancer with
the death rate from other lung diseases.

Use data from Figure 2 in your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Why do PM2.5 particles cause these negative health effects?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e) Figure 3 shows air pollution information collected in one city in 18 hours.

Figure 3

Page 10 of 25
 Suggest two possible reasons for the rise in PM2.5 concentration from 6 am to 2 pm.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f) Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of pollution in the atmosphere.

When the AQI value reaches 201 it is judged to be ‘very unhealthy’.

Suggest one precaution people should take if AQI rises above 201

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.
(a) Methane is burned in a plentiful supply of oxygen.

Which is the correct balanced chemical equation?

Tick one box.

CH4 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + H2O

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

Page 11 of 25
 CH4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O

(1)

(b) Burning fuels causes atmospheric pollution.

Write one effect for each pollutant in Table 1.

Table 1

Pollutant Effect

Carbon
monoxide

Sulfur dioxide

Particulates
(3)

(c) Methane, petrol and coal are fuels.

Table 2 shows information about these fuels.

Table 2

Mass in mg of CO2
Energy
produced for one
Fuel State content in kJ
kJ of energy
per g
released

Methane Gas 52 53

Petrol Liquid 43 71

Coal Solid 24 93

Evaluate the use of the fuels.

Use in the information in Table 2 and your knowledge.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 12 of 25
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 10 marks)

Q6.
This question is about the Earth’s atmosphere.

(a)  Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.

What is another greenhouse gas?

Tick one box.

Argon

Methane

Nitrogen

Oxygen

(1)

(b)  Greenhouse gases cause global climate change.

Give two effects of global climate change.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c)  4.1 kg of a plastic, used to make plastic bottles, has a carbon footprint of 6.0 kg of
carbon dioxide.

Calculate the carbon footprint of one plastic bottle of mass 23.5 g

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 13 of 25
 ___________________________________________________________________

Carbon footprint = _______________________ kg of carbon dioxide

(2)

(d)  Give one way that carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced when a plastic bottle is
manufactured.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)  Explain how the percentages of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Earth’s
atmosphere today have changed from the Earth’s early atmosphere.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 12 marks)

Q7.
The graph shows changes in the percentage of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere over the
last thousand million years.

Page 14 of 25
 (i) The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere changed between 700 million years
ago and 300 million years ago.

How many more times greater was the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere 300
million years ago compared with 700 million years ago?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Answer = ____________________ times greater

(1)

(ii) The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere changed between 700 million years
ago and 300 million years ago.

Explain why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

Q8.
(a) Apart from water vapour, two gases account for about 99% of the present
atmosphere of our planet.

Page 15 of 25
 What are the names of these gases?

_____________________________ and ____________________________

(1)

(b) Scientists now have evidence that, over three billion years ago, our planet’s
atmosphere was mostly a mixture of water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and
ammonia. Since then the mixture has gradually changed.

(i) Suggest why there is now less water vapour in the atmosphere.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Suggest why there is now less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) The following information suggests that the continents of Africa and South America
were once joined together but then began to move apart.

Fossilised remains of a large fern-like plant called Glossopteris have been found in
the rocks of the Carboniferous period in both Africa and South America.

Fossilised remains of a freshwater reptile called Mesosaurus have been found in

the rocks of the Permian period in both Africa and South America.

No fossils of identical organisms have been found in the rocks of the Jurassic or the
Cretaceous period in Africa or South America.

The following table gives the names of some of the periods in our planet’s
geological history.

Start of the period Name of the period

millions of years ago

2 Quaternary

65 Tertiary

136 Cretaceous

190 Jurassic

Page 16 of 25
 225 Triassic

280 Permian

345 Carboniferous

395 Devonian

435 Silurian

500 Ordovician

570 Cambrian

(i) Use this information to suggest when Africa and South America began to move
apart.

About _____________________________ million years ago.

(1)

(ii) What conditions were necessary for Africa and South America to move apart?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q9.
For 200 million years the proportions of the different gases in the atmosphere have been
much the same as today. Over the past 150 years the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere has increased from 0.03% to 0.04%.

(a) Describe how carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere:

(i) by human and industrial activity;

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) from carbonate rocks by geological activity.

Page 17 of 25
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Explain how the seas and oceans can decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) (i) Give one reason why the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is
increasing gradually.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Give one effect that increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may
have on the environment.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)

Page 18 of 25
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)  80
1

(b)  volcanoes
allow ammonia
allow meteorites
1

(c)  ⇌
ignore any extra words
1

(d)  rate
allow speed
allow pace
do not accept time
do not accept amount
do not accept level
do not accept point
1

(e)  a mixture designed as a useful product

1

(f)  bar for K to 5.8%

allow ± ½ a small square
1

(g) 
1

(h)  use has increased

1

(increase is) less in country B

or (increase is) less in country D
allow (increase is) more in country A
or (increase is) more in country C
1

example of data
1
[10]

Q2.
(a) 0.1%
1

(b) bar correctly drawn to ±½ square

1

Page 19 of 25
 (c) argon
1

(d) increased
1

data values to justify

1

(e) electricity and industry are equal

1

electricity and industry are highest

1

transport is lowest
1

electricity or industry is double transport

1

(f) use of renewable energy sources

or
specific example
1

(g) limited investment in renewable technology

or
disagreement between countries
accept specific reason which relates to response to (f), eg
insufficient sunlight
1
[11]

Q3.
(a) bar drawn correctly 78 – 80 (%)
1

(b) (i) (Mars has) no (green / living) plants / trees

1

(ii) (argon) is unreactive / inert

accept argon is a noble gas
ignore it is in Group 0
1

(c) (the amount of carbon dioxide has decreased because it has been) absorbed /
used by (green / living) plants / trees or used for photosynthesis
accept dissolved / absorbed by oceans or locked up in fossil
fuels / carbonate rocks
1

(d) the eruption of volcanoes

1
[5]

Page 20 of 25
Q4.
(a) 0.0025
1

(b) tobacco smoke

1

soot
1

(c) any two from:

• as concentration of PM2.5 increases, so does number of deaths
• (risk of) lung cancer increases (very) rapidly initially
or
after a concentration of 2.5
or
until concentration is 14.5 / 15
• at a concentration of 12.5 the risk of death from cancer and the risk of death
from lung disease are the same
• above a concentration of 12.5 risk of death from lung cancer is higher than the
risk of death from other lung diseases
• above a concentration of 15 risk of death from cancer / other lung diseases
increase at a slower rate
2

(d) can go deep into people’s lungs

1

(e) increase in vehicles

1

increase in factory emissions

1

(f) any one from:

• stay indoors
• wear a face mask (when outside)
1
[9]

Q5.
(a) CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
1

(b) toxic
accept causes death
1

acid rain
or
respiratory problems
accept respiratory problems / asthma
1

global dimming
1

Page 21 of 25
 (c)
Level 3: A judgement, strongly linked and
logically supported by a sufficient range of 5-6
correct reasons, is given.

Level 2: Some logically linked reasons are

given. There may also be a simple 3-4
judgement.

Level 1: Relevant points are made. They are

1-2
not logically linked.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content
•   methane is the best fuel because it gives
more energy per gram than coal, and
gives less carbon dioxide per kJ of
energy produced
•   petrol is best because it being a liquid is
easier to handle than gas or coal -
although the energy content is lower than
the others, it gives out less carbon
dioxide than coal
•   methane has more energy per gram than
coal
•   coal produces most carbon dioxide
•   coal can produce sulfur dioxide
6
[10]

Q6.
(a)  methane
1

(b)  any two examples from:

allow effects from the same bullet point

•   rising sea levels

•   melting ice
•   agricultural problems
•   extremes of weather
•   loss of habitats
ignore global warming
ignore acid rain
ignore global dimming
do not accept reference to ozone
2

(c) 
1

Page 22 of 25
 = 0.0344(kg)
allow correct rounding
allow calculator reading
if no mark awarded:
allow 1 mark for 34.4 or 0.344
allow 2 marks for 34.4 g
1
an answer of 0.0344(kg) scores 2 marks

(d)  use less plastic

or
use recycled plastic
allow carbon capture
ignore any reference to energy / fuels
1

(e)  Level 3: Relevant points (reasons / causes) are identified, given in detail and
logically linked to give a clear account.
5−6

Level 2: Relevant points (reasons / causes) are identified, and there are
attempts at logically linking. The resulting account is not fully clear.
3−4

Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their relevance is not clear
and there is no attempt at logical linking.
1−2

No relevant content
0

Indicative content

nitrogen increased
•   because volcanoes produced nitrogen
•   because (denitrifying) bacteria produced nitrogen
•   because ammonia was converted to nitrogen

oxygen increased
•   because algae and plants produced oxygen
•   by photosynthesis

carbon dioxide decreased

•   because algae and plants used carbon dioxide
•   by photosynthesis
•   because oceans formed and carbon dioxide dissolved in the water
•   because carbon dioxide formed carbonates, which precipitate as
sediments or formed sedimentary limestone rocks
•   because algae / plants and animals formed fossil fuels / coal / crude oil /
natural gas
[12]

Q7.
(i) 12
1

(ii) (oxygen) produced by algae / plants

Page 23 of 25
 1

during photosynthesis
1
[3]

Q8.
(a) nitrogen and oxygen
both required either order
1

(b) (i) any two from

(atmosphere) is now cooler water vapour has condensed

to form sea(s) / ocean(s)
2

(ii) any two from

has dissolved in / reacted with seawater has formed carbonates

(evolution of green) plants removed by photosynthesis
has formed fossil fuels
2

(c) (i) 225

accept any date in the Triassic period
225 – 191 (mya)
do not credit 190 (mya)
1

(ii) on different (tectonic) plates

or answer refers to African and South American plates
1

(movement) due to convection currents in the mantle

1

due to energy / heat from the core

or due to radioactivity
1
[9]

Q9.
(a) (i) burning / breathing / respiration / fuels / food
for 1 mark each
2

(ii) 1. rock is heated / subducted (owtte) / close to magma / melted

1. rock is decomposed / carbon dioxide released through volcanoes
for 1 mark each
2

(b) carbon dioxide reacts / dissolves in sea-water / dissolves in rain water

insoluble carbonates / calcium carbonate are / is formed carbon dioxide turned into
shells / coral / limestone / chalk / sediments also soluble hydrogencarbonates

Page 24 of 25
 (calcium / magnesium) are formed photosynthesis by plants
any three for 1 mark each
3

(c) (i) sea unable to absorb all the extra carbon dioxide being produced
more trees being cut down / deforestation increased burning of fuels / more
cars / more industry (not more people)
any one for 1 mark
1

(ii) global warming / greenhouse effect or effects such as melting ice caps /
rising sea levels / climatic change / more deserts
(not changes to ozone layer)
for one mark
1
[9]

Page 25 of 25