Common atmospheric pollutants (AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy: Chemistry): Flashcards
Exam code: 8464
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Define incomplete combustion.
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Define incomplete combustion.
Incomplete combustion occurs when a fuel burns with a limited supply of oxygen, producing carbon monoxide (CO) and soot (carbon particulates) instead of carbon dioxide.
Name four pollutants produced from burning fossil fuels and give the source of each.
Carbon monoxide (CO): incomplete combustion with limited oxygen
Soot/particulates: combustion with very limited oxygen
Sulfur dioxide (SO2): sulfur impurities in fuel react with O2
Oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO2): N2 and O2 from the air react at high temperatures in engines.
True or False?
Oxides of nitrogen form during combustion because fossil fuels contain nitrogen impurities.
False.
Oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2) form when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react together at the high temperatures reached inside car engines and power stations.
They do not come from impurities in the fuel.
Sulfur dioxide forms when sulfur ________ in fossil fuels react with ________ in the air during combustion.
Sulfur dioxide forms when sulfur impurities in fossil fuels react with oxygen in the air during combustion.
What are the products of complete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel?
Complete combustion of a hydrocarbon requires a plentiful supply of oxygen and produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) only.
How do both carbon monoxide and soot arise from incomplete combustion?
When oxygen is limited, carbon in hydrocarbons is not fully oxidised.
With some oxygen deficiency, carbon is partially oxidised to CO.
With very little oxygen, carbon is not oxidised at all and forms soot (solid carbon particulates).
Define global dimming.
Global dimming is the reduction in the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface, caused by particulates from incomplete combustion reflecting solar radiation back into space.
Why is carbon monoxide (CO) a particularly dangerous atmospheric pollutant?
Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, making it impossible to detect without equipment.
It combines with haemoglobin in the blood, preventing oxygen from being transported around the body, which can cause fainting, coma, or death.
True or False?
The main environmental effect of particulates released from burning diesel is global warming.
False.
Particulates cause global dimming, not global warming. They reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount reaching Earth's surface.
Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4.
Sulfur dioxide dissolves in ________ to form ________ acid, which falls as acid ________, corroding buildings and damaging aquatic life.
Sulfur dioxide dissolves in rainwater to form sulfuric acid, which falls as acid rain, corroding buildings and damaging aquatic life.
Give three specific harmful effects of acid rain.
Specific harmful effects of acid rain include:
Corrosion of metal structures, buildings, and carbonate rock statues
Damage to trees, plants, and crops
Damage to aquatic organisms
Acidification of lakes and rivers
Aside from acid rain, what two problems do oxides of nitrogen cause?
Oxides of nitrogen contribute to the formation of photochemical smog and cause breathing difficulties, particularly for people with conditions such as asthma.
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