IGCSEChemistryCambridge (CIE)Exam Questions10. Chemistry of the EnvironmentAir Quality & Climate

Air Quality & Climate (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Chemistry): Exam Questions

Exam code: 0620 & 0971

3 hours39 questions

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Air Quality & Climate

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1
1 mark

Clean air contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and some noble gases. Which row correctly states the percentages of each gas present in clean, unpolluted air?

 

% O2 

% N2 

% CO2 & noble gases 

A

20

78

2

B

21

78

1

C

19

79

2

D

20

79

1

    Choose your answer

    2
    1 mark

    Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide are all air pollutants. Which row correctly describes the major source of each pollutant?

     

    NO2 

    SO2 

    CO

    A

    car engines

    power stations

    respiration

    B

    power stations

    car engines

    car engines

    C

    respiration

    power stations

    car engines

    D

    car engines

    power stations

    car engines

      Choose your answer

      3
      1 mark

      Human activities are contributing to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

      Which two human activities contribute to the release of methane?

      • Deforestation and cattle farming

      • Burning fossil fuels and deforestation 

      • Cattle farming and sending rubbish to landfill

      • Sending rubbish to landfill and deforestation

      Choose your answer

      4
      1 mark

      Separate: Chemistry Only

      Which words complete the gaps 1 & 2 in the word equation for photosynthesis?

      carbon dioxide +                 1                →                 2                + oxygen

       

      1

      2

       A

      water

      hydrogen

       B

      glucose

      water

       C

      hydrogen

      carbon monoxide

       D

      water

      glucose

        Choose your answer

        5
        1 mark

        Human activities increase the level of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

        Which row correctly shows the effect of each of these gases in our atmosphere?

         

        Oxides of nitrogen

        Sulfur dioxide

        Carbon dioxide

        A

        global warming

        respiratory problems

        photochemical smog

        B

        acid rain

        photochemical smog

        respiratory problems

        C

        photochemical smog

        acid rain

        global warming

        D

        respiratory problems

        global warming

        acid rain

          Choose your answer

          6
          1 mark

          Which bar chart shows the approximate composition of clean, dry air?

          Four bar charts labelled A to D show percentages of gases, with A and B highlighting nitrogen and oxygen, and C and D showing nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

            Choose your answer

            7
            1 mark

            The word equation of photosynthesis is incomplete.

            X + water rightwards arrow from chlorophyll to straight Z of Y + glucose

            Which row correctly identifies the substances X, Y and the condition Z?

            X

            Y

            Z

            A

            carbon dioxide

            oxygen

            light

            B

            carbon dioxide

            oxygen

            heat

            C

            oxygen

            carbon dioxide

            light

            D

            oxygen

            carbon dioxide

            heat

              Choose your answer

              8
              1 mark

              Which statement about polluting gases is not correct?

              • Carbon dioxide is produced by the complete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and leads to increased global warming.

              • Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.

              • Nitrogen dioxide is a greenhouse gas that causes global warming by absorbing, reflecting and emitting thermal energy.

              • Sulfur dioxide contributes to the formation of acid rain, which decreases the pH of aquatic environments

              Choose your answer

              1
              1 mark

              Four chemical processes are described below. Which reactions contribute to global warming?

              1

              Reacting hydrochloric acid with magnesium carbonate.

              2

              The complete combustion of propane.

              3

              Heating calcium carbonate.

              4

              Reacting sodium hydroxide with magnesium carbonate.

              • 1, 2 & 3

              • 1 & 4

              • 1, 3 & 4

              • All 4

              Choose your answer

              2
              1 mark

              Petrol engines produce pollutants as a by-product of internal combustion. Catalytic converters are fitted to cars to reduce the level of pollution they produce in their exhaust gases.

              Which statement about this process is not correct?

              • Nitrogen and oxygen react to produce nitrogen dioxide.

              • Carbon monoxide undergoes oxidation in the catalytic converter.

              • Carbon monoxide is formed when petrol undergoes complete combustion.

              • Nitrogen monoxide undergoes reduction in the catalytic converter.

              Choose your answer

              3
              1 mark

              Which row correctly shows two ways of reducing the formation of acid rain?

              A

              Use a catalytic convertor

              Reduce the amount of livestock farming

              B

              Plant more trees

              Use fuels containing low levels of sulfur

              C

              Use fuels containing low levels of sulfur

              Use a catalytic convertor

              D

              Reduce the amount of livestock farming

              Plant more trees

                Choose your answer

                4
                1 mark

                The table below shows the composition of the atmosphere found on a new planet. 

                gas

                percentage by volume

                nitrogen

                74

                carbon dioxide

                4

                oxygen

                22

                Which gases are present in the atmosphere of the planet in a lower percentage than they are in the Earth's atmosphere? 

                • oxygen and carbon dioxide

                • nitrogen and oxygen

                • nitrogen only

                • carbon dioxide only

                Choose your answer

                5
                1 mark

                Which strategy for reducing the effect of environmental issues would not help reduce climate change?

                • Reduce the amount of livestock farming

                • Plant more trees

                • Fit catalytic convertors on vehicles

                • Use renewable energy resources 

                Choose your answer

                6
                1 mark

                Many cars are fitted with catalytic converters to treat the exhaust gases produced by the engine.

                Which row identifies the gases entering the converter, the gases leaving the converter, and a suitable metal used as the catalyst?

                gases entering the converter

                gases leaving the converter

                catalyst

                A

                carbon dioxide and nitrogen

                carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide

                platinum

                B

                carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide

                carbon dioxide and nitrogen

                aluminium

                C

                carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide

                carbon dioxide and nitrogen

                platinum

                D

                carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide

                carbon monoxide and nitrogen

                aluminium

                  Choose your answer

                  1
                  1 mark

                  Internal combustion engines produce oxides of nitrogen which are pollutants. Which statement about oxides of nitrogen is correct?

                  • Oxides of nitrogen are formed by the reaction of fuel with nitrogen.

                  • Oxides of nitrogen are formed by the reaction of exhaust gases with air.

                  • Catalytic converters remove oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts by oxidation.

                  • Catalytic converters remove oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts by reduction.

                  Choose your answer

                  2
                  1 mark

                  Oxides, XO and YO2 are released into the air from power stations and car exhausts. 

                  What are X and Y?

                   

                  X

                  Y

                  A

                  carbon and nitrogen

                  carbon and nitrogen only

                  B

                  carbon and nitrogen

                  carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur 

                  C

                  carbon only

                  sulfur only

                  D

                  carbon only

                  sulfur and nitrogen only

                    Choose your answer

                    3
                    1 mark

                    Flue gas desulfurisation uses calcium oxide to reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide.

                    Which statements are correct?

                    1

                    Sulfur dioxide is a basic oxide

                    2

                    Sulfur dioxide is responsible for the production of acid rain 

                    3

                    Calcium oxide reacts with acids

                    4

                    Sulfur dioxide emissions can also be reduced by using low sulfur fuels

                    • 1, 2 and 3 

                    • 1 and 2 only

                    • 1, 3 and 4

                    • 2, 3 and 4

                    Choose your answer

                    4
                    1 mark

                    Extended Only

                    Which of the following equations would not occur inside a catalytic converter?

                    • 2NO → N2 + O2

                    • N2 + 2CO2 → 2NO + 2CO

                    • 2NO2 → N2 + 2O2

                    • 2CO + O2 → 2CO2

                    Choose your answer

                    5
                    Sme Calculator
                    1 mark

                    Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only

                    Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction in which carbon dioxide and water react to form glucose and oxygen

                    What is the maximum mass of glucose that can be produced from 40 cm3 of carbon dioxide?

                    • 0.05 g

                    • 0.30 g

                    • 50 g

                    • 300 g

                    Choose your answer