C1 - Air Quality

Question 1

What percentage of nitrogen is current in the atmosphere?

Answer 1

78%

Question 2

What percentage of oxygen is present in the atmosphere?

Answer 2

21%

Question 3

What percentage of argon is present in the atmosphere?

Answer 3

0.93

Question 4

What percentage of carbon dioxide is present in the atmosphere?

Answer 4

0.04%

Question 5

What percentage of water vapour is present in the atmosphere?

Answer 5

Varied

Question 6

What are the TWO ways to measure the concentration of pollutants?

Answer 6

ppb (parts per billion)

ppm (parts per million)

Question 7

What is a pollutant?

Answer 7

Chemicals that can harm the environment and our health.

Question 8

How is carbon dioxide harmful to the environment?

Answer 8

It traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Question 9

How is nitrogen oxide harmful to the environment?

Answer 9

It can cause acid rain.

Question 10

How is nitrogen oxide harmful to people?

Answer 10

It can cause breathing problems and can make asthma worse.

Question 11

How is sulphur dioxide harmful to the environment?

Answer 11

It can cause acid rain.

Question 12

How can particulates be harmful to the environment?

Answer 12

It can make buildings dirty.

Question 13

How can particulates be harmful to people?

Answer 13

Can make asthma and lung infections worse if inhaled.

Question 14

How can carbon monoxide be harmful to humans?

Answer 14

It displaces oxygen in the blood which can result in death.

Question 15

How long ago was the Earth formed?

Answer 15

4.6 billion years

Question 16

What is combustion?

Answer 16

A chemical reaction that occurs when fuels burn, releasing energy as heat.

Question 17

What is oxidation?

Answer 17

A chemical reaction which occurs when oxygen combines with another element or compound.

Question 18

What is reduction?

Answer 18

When oxygen is lost from a substance.

Question 19

What is an element?

Answer 19

A substance which is made entirely from one atom.

Question 20

What is a compound?

Answer 20

A substance made up of two or more different elements which are chemically combined.

Question 21

What is a hydrocarbon made up of?

Answer 21

Hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms

Question 22

What is the formula for complete combustion?

Answer 22

Fuel + oxygen ——> carbon dioxide + water

Question 23

What is incomplete combustion?

Answer 23

When there is not enough oxygen in the air when a fuel is burnt, carbon particulates or carbon monoxide is produced.

Question 24

What happens to pollutants in the environment?

Answer 24

• Carbon particulates are deposited on buildings
• Some carbon dioxide is removed by natural processes such as photosynthesis
• Some carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater or seawater
• Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide dissolve in water to produce acid rain

Question 25

How can emissions from power stations be reduced?

Answer 25

- Using less electricity so fewer fossil fuels need to be burnt - Removing toxic chemicals before they are burnt - Using alternative renewable sources of energy (e.g solar, wind, wave and hydroelectric to replace fossil fuels - Using a filter system to remove sulphur dioxide and particulates from flue gases before they leave a power station's chimney

Question 26

How can emissions from motor vehicles be reduced?

Answer 26

- Buying a car with a modern engine so it is more efficient and burns less fuel - Buying an electric car which can use electric power in city centres and petrol on longer journeys - Using a low-sulphur fuel to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide released - Converting the engine to run on biodiesel (which is renewable) - Using public transport to reduce the number of vehicles on the road - Making sure cars are fitted with catalytic converters

Question 27

How can emissions be reduced on a global scale?

Answer 27

The Kyoto Protocol

Question 28

How can emissions be reduced on a national scale?

Answer 28

- Making catalytic converters compulsory in new vehicles - Using subsides or lower taxes to encourage power stations to use 'cleaner' fuels - Introducing a car tax system which encourages drivers to buy smaller cars with smaller engines - Encouraging investment in renewable energy such as wind and solar - Setting legal limits for vehicle exhaust emissions

Question 29

How can emissions be reduced on a local scale?

Answer 29

- Recycling - Regular bus and train services - Congestion charges - 'Park and ride' schemes - Cycle paths and cycle parks

Question 30

What types of personal choices can reduce emissions?

Answer 30

- Turning electricity off not leaving things on standby - Making sure your car has a catalytic converter - Use alternate modes of transport (buses and trains) - Recycle materials such as plastics, metal and glass - Insulate homes so less heat is lost so heating won't be needed as much