Our Planet's Peculiar Atmosphere

Watch online on demand on The Reaction!

Thursday 13 May 2010, 18.30-20.30
The Library, The Chemistry Centre, Burlington House

Our atmosphere has apparently not followed the laws of physics and chemistry for several billion years. It contains a disequilibrium mixture of oxidant and combustible fuels, quite unlike the atmospheres of our planetary neighbours Venus and Mars.

This lecture by Richard Wayne followed the history of our atmosphere using evidence from the geological and fossil records and explained when and how our atmosphere altered from its earliest composition. Oxygen, ozone and carbon dioxide were key chemical players in this story, and an understanding of the evolution of our ancient atmosphere informs our response to present-day concerns such as ozone 'holes' and climate change.

This lecture was chaired by BBC Weatherman, Peter Gibbs.

Watch this lecture on demand on The Reaction.