Topic 9- Chemistry of the atmosphere Flashcards

Question

What is 'carbon footprint'?

Answer 1

The carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.

Answer 2

1) Because there are many different factors to consider - source of all components - the emissions produced when constructing it - emissions produced when using it - emissions released when disposing of it 2) However, a rough calculation can give an idea of the worst emitters so people can avoid them in the future

Answer 3

1) Increasing the use of ALTERNATIVE/RENEWABLE ENERGY resources 2) Increasing EFFICIENCY of energy use - more efficient processes conserve energy and cut waste - lots of waste decomposes to give methane emissions so reducing waste will reduce methane - more efficient engines release fewer GHG emissions - increasing insulation and using low energy bulbs means less fossil fuels and therefore less emissions are released 3) Using more CARBON CAPTURE STORAGE systems at power plants can also reduce the carbon footprint - this technology captures carbon dioxide produced from burning fossil fuels before it is released into the atmosphere - it is stored deep underground in cracks in the rock - Up to 90% of CO2 emissions from a power plant can be removed in this way 4) Governments could also TAX individuals and companies based on the amount of green house gases they emit - taxing cars with high emissions would encourage the public to use cars that are more environmentally friendly 5) CARBON OFF-SETTING = actions put in place to reduce the levels of GHGs to compensate for the release of a GHG elsewhere 6) Using CARBON NEUTRAL FUELS

Answer 4

1) Some trees are cut down and used as fuel 2) This is a carbon neutral method because when trees grow they absorb C02 from the atmosphere 3) When they are burned no new CO2 is produced 4) The trees can be planted make it renewable 5) And therefore forms part of the carbon cycle 6) In a similar way, ETHANOL is made from the fermentation of crops that whilst growing, absorb C02 - when the ethanol is COMBUSTED in a car engine, the C02 released is equal to that absorbed during growth making it CARBON NEUTRAL

Answer 5

1) Efforts to reduce carbon emissions are difficult to implement because NOT ALL SCIENTISTS AGREE that GHGs are the cause of climate change. 2) Methods of C02 reduction (CCS) are EXPENSIVE. Construction and the use of power to compress and pump CO2 in the ground would be funded by the public via electricity bills which would nit be popular 3) Increases in use of phones/tablets has led to an INCREASED DEMAND/ LIFESTYLE of electricity. Few people are willing to give up these commodities and some believe they can not live and work in the modern world without them. Education and awareness may help with this 4) Not all countries are interested in lowering Emissions - many countries abide by the Kyoto Protocol and make efforts to reduce - Developing countries such as China and India are expempt - the USA, the largest producer of GHGs, does not want to be involved in the Kyoto Agreement - GOVERNMENTS DO NOT WANT TO SACRIFICE ECONOMIC GROWTH - important for less developed countries - Countries do not want To reduce their emissions at a cost if they fear that other countries won't cooperate

Answer 6

1) They could TAX companies based on the amounts of GHGs they emit 2) They could also put a CAP on emissions of all GHGs that companies make --- they could then sell licenses for emissions up to that cap

Answer 7

Oxides of nitrogen Sulphur Dioxide Carbon Monoxide Soot = carbon products = particulate Water vapour and CO2 are also released

Answer 8

Complete combustion - This happens when OXYGEN = PLENTIFUL, allowing all the fuel to burn - C02 is a product of complete combustion Incomplete Combustion - When there isn't enough oxygen, all of the fuel does not burn - under these condition particulates ( Solid particles) of SOOT and UNBURNT FUEL as well as CO2 and CO E.g. If an engine is old/ poorly maintained, oxygen is less able to reach each alkane molecule in time to convert all of the C to CO2. Instead CO and C are made in the process of incomplete combustion

Answer 9

1) If INHALED, they can get stuck in the lungs and cause RESPIRATORY problems 2) GLOBAL DIMMING - if they are in the air, the clouds they produce, reflect sunlight away from the Earth

Answer 10

= TOXIC = COLOURLESS + ODOURLESS therefore difficult to detect and makes it even more dangerous

Answer 11

1) Binds to Haemoglobin (Hb) that normally carries oxygen - therefore less oxygen is transported around the body 2) A lack of 02 can lead to fainting, coma, and eventually death

Answer 12

1) Harmful by inhalation 2) May be CARCINOGENIC 3) Can cause GLOBAL DIMMING

Answer 13

These escape from the engine before combustion and are left as RAINBOW RESIDUE on the road from the exhaust pipe They can VAPORISE to form PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG that is harmful to health

Answer 14

= harmful to the respiratory system They are produced from reaction between N2 and 02 in the presence of a spark in the air with high temperatures This can happen in the INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGNE of cars Also contribute to forming ACID RAIN

Answer 15

Fossil fuels (crude oil/ coal) are always contaminated with sulphur from the Earth It is even present after fractional distillation, cracking = harmful to the respiratory system Also contribute to forming ACID RAIN

Answer 16

When SULPHUR DIOXIDE and NITROGEN OXIDES mix with clouds they form DILUTE SULFURIC/NITRIC ACID This then falls as ACID RAIN - kills plants - damages buildings and statues - corrodes metals

Answer 17

Soot/ C/ Particulates Unburnt Hydrocarbons CO

Answer 18

Look at last two pages of section 9 booklet - especially the SUMMARY TABLE Also look at the equations in these pages

Topic 9- Chemistry of the atmosphere Flashcards

(42 cards)