C6. 3

Question 1

What are pollutants?

Answer 1

Substances released into the environment that may harm living things

Atmospheric pollutants are specifically released into the air, often from burning fossil fuels.

Question 2

What are the major sources of atmospheric pollutants?

Answer 2

Burning fossil fuels, industry, and vehicle exhausts

Common pollutants include carbon monoxide, particulates, oxides of nitrogen, and sulfur dioxide.

Question 3

What is photochemical smog?

Answer 3

A harmful mixture of pollutants formed when pollutants react in sunlight

It is often visible as a hazy view over cities.

Question 4

What is carbon monoxide (CO)?

Answer 4

A toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels

It is colorless, tasteless, and odorless.

Question 5

How does carbon monoxide affect the body?

Answer 5

It attaches to haemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport

This can lead to symptoms such as drowsiness and difficulty breathing.

Question 6

What are two symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Answer 6

Drowsiness and difficulty breathing

Severe poisoning can even lead to death.

Question 7

What safety device is commonly used to detect carbon monoxide?

Answer 7

Carbon monoxide detectors

They sound an alarm if faulty gas appliances produce CO.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Pollutants from industry and vehicle exhausts form _______ in the sunlight.

Answer 8

photochemical smog

Question 9

True or False: Carbon monoxide has a distinct smell that can be easily detected.

Answer 9

False

Carbon monoxide is odorless.

Question 11

What are particulates?

Answer 11

Small particles produced in industrial processes and during incomplete combustion and vehicle engines

Question 12

What health problems are caused by particulates?

Answer 12

Diseases such as bronchitis, breathing problems, and increased chance of heart disease

Question 13

What is the maximum diameter of a PM particle in metres in standard form?

Answer 13

1.0 x 10^-5 m

Question 14

What gases react to form nitrogen monoxide?

Answer 14

Nitrogen and oxygen

Question 15

What is nitrogen dioxide formed from?

Answer 15

Nitrogen monoxide is oxidised in air to form nitrogen dioxide

Question 16

What are the oxides of nitrogen collectively called?

Answer 16

NOx

Question 17

How does nitrogen dioxide contribute to acid rain?

Answer 17

It dissolves in moisture in clouds, forming an acidic solution

Question 18

What are the effects of acid rain?

Answer 18

Erodes stonework, corrodes metals, kills trees, and harms living things in rivers and lakes

Question 19

What compounds in fossil fuels contribute to acid rain?

Answer 19

Small amounts of sulfur compounds

Question 20

What does sulfur dioxide cause when fossil fuels are burnt?

Answer 20

Acid rain and breathing difficulties

Question 21

Name two substances that cause acid rain.

Answer 21

Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide

Question 22

What is the relationship between oxides of metals and non-metals?

Answer 22

Oxides of metals are basic and oxides of non-metals are acidic

Question 23

Why is rainwater naturally weakly acidic?

Answer 23

It contains dissolved carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Acid rain can erode _______.

Answer 24

stonework

Question 25

True or False: Particulates can cause heart disease.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

Outline how acid rain forms.

Answer 26

Nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures to form nitrogen monoxide, which is oxidised to nitrogen dioxide; nitrogen dioxide dissolves in moisture in clouds to form acid rain.

Question 27

Describe two problems caused by acid rain.

Answer 27

* Erosion of stonework * Damage to trees and aquatic life

Question 28

Explain how carbon monoxide may form when methane is used as a fuel.

Answer 28

Methane combusts incompletely, leading to the production of carbon monoxide

Question 29

wht are the main problems of industrial processes and vehicle engines on the environment .

Answer 29

Sources include: * Industrial processes - particulates, sulfur dioxide * Vehicle engines - nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide

Question 30

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 30

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane absorb infrared radiation radiated by the Earth's surface, then emit it in all directions. This effect keeps the Earth and its atmosphere warm enough for living things to exist. ## Footnote Includes the process of energy transfer from the Sun and the role of greenhouse gases in warming the Earth's surface and atmosphere.

Question 31

List the types of radiation absorbed and emitted by greenhouse gases.

Answer 31

* Infrared radiation absorbed * Infrared radiation emitted

Question 32

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Answer 32

The enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by the release of additional greenhouse gases from human activities, leading to increased atmospheric temperature and global warming. ## Footnote This results in melting ice caps, rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, flooding, and issues with farming and disease control.

Question 33

What human activities release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?

Answer 33

* Combustion of fossil fuels

Question 34

What are the sources of methane emissions?

Answer 34

* Rice paddy fields * Cattle * Landfill waste sites * Use of natural gas

Question 35

How can greenhouse gas emissions be reduced? (List two methods)

Answer 35

* Reducing fossil fuel consumption (e.g., using biofuels) * Using renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar) to generate electricity

Question 36

What is one method to prevent carbon dioxide from escaping during fuel use?

Answer 36

Using carbon capture technology.

Question 37

True or False: Climate change can cause problems with farming.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

What challenges do scientists face in testing theories about climate change?

Answer 38

The Earth and its atmosphere are large, complex systems, making controlled fair testing difficult.

Question 39

Why are emissions of water vapour not seen as a problem?

Answer 39

* Water vapour is naturally occurring * It is part of the Earth's natural processes

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The release of additional greenhouse gases by _______ activities has the potential to cause an enhanced greenhouse effect.

Answer 40

[human]

Question 41

What are the consequences of global warming mentioned in the text? (List two)

Answer 41

* Melting ice caps * Rising sea levels

Question 42

What is the average daily water usage for a person in the UK?

Answer 42

About 150 litres per day

Question 43

What is meant by 'potable' water?

Answer 43

Safe to drink

Question 44

How many people in the UK receive fluoridated tap water?

Answer 44

Around six million people

Question 45

What are the benefits of fluoridation in tap water?

Answer 45

Helps to protect against tooth decay

Question 46

What is a concern consumers have about water fluoridation?

Answer 46

Their right to make their own decisions is removed

Question 47

What are the main sources of drinking water?

Answer 47

Lakes, reservoirs, aquifers, rivers, and waste water

Question 48

What types of materials are found in water from natural sources?

Answer 48

Insoluble materials and soluble substances

Question 49

What must be removed from water at treatment works?

Answer 49

Microorganisms and different substances

Question 50

What is the purpose of the screen at the water treatment works?

Answer 50

To catch large objects such as leaves and twigs

Question 51

What happens to the water after it passes through the screen?

Answer 51

It is passed through a special filter made of fine sand

Question 52

What is added to the water to help remove small particles of dirt?

Answer 52

Aluminium sulfate and lime

Question 53

What is the purpose of adding chlorine to the water?

Answer 53

To kill bacteria

Question 54

What is checked and corrected to ensure water is safe to drink?

Answer 54

The pH of the water

Question 55

What process is used to treat salt water to make it potable?

Answer 55

Desalination

Question 56

What method is used for small scale desalination?

Answer 56

Reverse osmosis

Question 57

What method is used for large scale desalination?

Answer 57

Simple distillation

Question 58

Why is desalination not worthwhile in the UK?

Answer 58

Fresh water supplies are sufficient

Question 59

Fill in the blank: Chlorine does not ______ the water but it does kill bacteria.

Answer 59

clean

Question 60

What is the final step in the water treatment process before distribution?

Answer 60

Storing in large tanks and service reservoirs

Question 61

Describe one advantage of distilling seawater for drinking water.

Answer 61

Provides a source of fresh water in areas with limited supplies or where cost of energy resources are low

Question 62

Describe one disadvantage of distilling seawater for drinking water.

Answer 62

High energy cost