atmospheric pollutants

Question 1

name a source of atmospheric pollution

Answer 1

combustion of fuels

Question 2

what do most fuels contain?

Answer 2

carbon and/or hydrogen and may contain some sulfur

Question 3

what happens in combustion?

Answer 3

carbon and hydrogen are oxidised, so that carbon dioxide and water vapour are released back into the atmosphere

Question 4

what gases might be released into the atmosphere when a fuel is burned?

Answer 4

• carbon dioxide
• water vapour
• carbon monoxide
• sulfur dioxide
• oxides of nitrogen
• solid particles and unburned
  hydrocarbons may also be released that form particulates in the atmosphere

Question 5

what can be released when incomplete combustion occurs

Answer 5

• solid particles (particulates), made of soot and unburned hydrocarbons
• carbon monoxide
• carbon dioxide

Question 6

complete combustion of hydrocarbons equation

Answer 6

hydrocarbon + oxygen —–> carbon dioxide + water

Question 7

incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons equations

Answer 7

• hydrocarbon + oxygen —-> carbon monoxide + carbon (soot) + water
• hydrocarbon + oxygen —-> carbon + water

Question 8

what are particulates?

Answer 8

solid particles made up of soot and unburned hydrocarbons

Question 9

problems with particulates

Answer 9

• if inhaled they can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage, leading to respiratory problems
• bad for the environment as they reflect sunlight back into space, meaning less light reaches the earth causing global dimming

Question 10

describe carbon monoxide, why is it dangerous, state the symptoms

Answer 10

• colourless, odourless, toxic gas so hard to detect
• dangerous as it stops your blood from carrying oxygen around the body
• does this by binding to the haemoglobin in your blood that normally carries oxygen so less oxygen is able to be transported round your body
• a lack of oxygen can lead to fainting, a coma or death
  symptoms include headaches, breathlessness, nausea, tiredness, pain in the chest and loss of consciousness

Question 11

how is sulfur dioxide released?

Answer 11

• during the combustion of fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities
• sulfur in the fuel becomes oxidised

Question 12

how is CO produced?

Answer 12

by incomplete combustion

Question 13

how are nitrogen oxides created?

Answer 13

high temperatures and pressures inside a car engine can cause the nitrogen and oxygen in the air to react together to make oxides of nitrogen

Question 14

how is acid rain formed?

Answer 14

• sulfur dioxide / nitrogen oxide gases mix with water in the clouds to form dilute sulfuric acid / dilute nitric acid
• this then falls as acid rain

Question 15

problems with acid rain

Answer 15

• kills plants
• damages buildings and statues
• makes metal corrode

Question 16

problems with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides?

Answer 16

• cause acid rain
• cause respiratory problems if breathed in