C1 AIR QUALITY Flashcards
(38 cards)
What are the relative proportions of the main gases in the atmosphere?
78% Nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% argon
What did earths early atmosphere consisted of?
Carbon dioxide and water vapour (formed by volcanic activity)
What is the atmosphere made of?
Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, small a mouths of water vapour, carbon dioxide and other gases
How was carbon dioxide removed and oxygen added to the atmosphere?
Because the evolution of photosynthesising organisms
Name another way carbon dioxide was removed from the atmosphere
By dissolving in the oceans and then forming sedimentary rocks, and by the formation of fossil fuels
How has human activity changed the composition of the atmosphere?
They added small amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. Extra carbon dioxide and small particles of solids (carbon).
Why is carbon monoxide harmful?
If reduces the amount of oxygen blood can carry
How is carbon dioxide and particulates added to the atmosphere?
- Burning fuels
- burning forests to make more farmland
- particulates are also created naturally as ash in volcanoes
What’s harmful about sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide?
It creates acid rain, which damaged plants and animals
What can nitrogen oxide trigger?
(With sulfur dioxide) triggers asthma
What is coal mainly made of?
Carbon
Name compounds of hydro carbons
Petrol, diesel fuel and fuel oil - all fossil fuels
the equation when hydrocarbon fuel burns
hydro carbon + oxygen > carbon dioxide + water (+energy)
what is oxidation
oxygen is added to substance
what is reduction
oxygen is removed from substance
what is combustion
and oxidation reaction
what is created when solid yellow sulfur burns?
a colourless gass called sulfur dioxide
sulfur is insoluble but sulfur dioxide dissolves in water to make an…
acid solution
Equation for when sulfur in fossil fuels burn
sulfur + oxygen > sulfur dioxide
Name an indirect pollutant
Acid rain- does not affect humans directly
How is sulfur dioxide made?
when the fuel contains sulfur
what is always formed when fuel burns?
carbon dioxide
What happens when not enough air is available to burn the fuel?
- poisonous carbon monoxide is made
- particulares (soot) are formed - surface they labd on dirty
How does car engines contribute to acid rain?
car engines make nitrogen oxide when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at high temperatures - contributes to acid rain