chemistry of the atmosphere - pollutants from fuels Flashcards
(21 cards)
definition of fuel
fuels release energy when they are combusted
examples of fuel
coal and hydrocarbons
what is coal used for
generate electricity
what are hydrocarbons use for
power vehicles such as cars
what do most fuels contain
the elements carbon and hydrogen
what happens when we burn fuels like these
the carbon and hydrogen atoms react with the oxygen in the air
how can we tell complete combustion has occurred
because we have made carbon dioxide
what is needed for complete combustion to happen
plenty of oxygen
what happens if the amount of oxygen is reduced
we make carbon monoxide
what is carbon monoxide
a toxic gas with no color or smell
how can people protect themselves against carbon monoxide
by having carbon monoxide detectors in there homes
why does coal contain and what happens when it burns
contains sulfur which gets oxidized when its burnt - producing sulphur dioxide
where are oxides of nitrogen produced
inside engines e.g. cars
why are the called oxides of nitrogen
cause there is a range of molecules produced
what can sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause
breathing problems in humans and dissolve in rainwater to form acid rain
why is acid rain bad
it can damage trees and corrode buildings made of limestone
what makes up the clouds of black particles released from burning diesel
particles of carbon (soot) and unburned hydrocarbons
what is this kind of pollution called
particulates
what are the problems with particulates
they can damage human health by increasing the risk of heart and lung disease
what can particulates do to the earth
limit the amount of energy from the sun that reaches the earth surface, this is known as global dimming
what might global dimming be effecting
rainfall patterns
