1: Overview of Gases Flashcards
Why should we know about gases?
Important aspect of our lives since they are abundant everywhere (breathing cooking, etc). Knowing about them helps explain phenomena and develop new tech
List the 4 atmospheric gases
N2: most abundant, important for nitrogen cycle
O2: 2nd most abundant, combustion and respiration
CO2: important for carbon cycle
CH4: Released from fermentation of organic matter, melting permafrost, digestion; potent GHG
What are the tech uses for N2
Food preservatives, fertilizers, tires
What are the tech uses for compressed air
Tools, scuba diving
What are the tech uses for combustible gases
Cooking on bbq/stoves, heating
What are the tech uses for oxygen
Surgical equip (anesthesia), cabin pressure in planes
What is swim bladder?
Biological organ found in fish that allows them to control how high or low they float in the ocean (buoyancy) using oxygen
What is chemical reactivity
How an atom reacts to a chemical change in composition ie. halogens more reactive than noble gases because they need one v.e.
What is the significance of different flame colours?
Yellow: not optimal mixture causing an incomplete combustion, will release substances other than just CO2 and H2O (CO)
Blue: maximized mix of fuel and oxidizer creating complete combustion, releases only CO2 and H2O
What is required to start a fire?
Heat (ignition temp), fuel (burning substance), oxygen (combustible substance)
What is combustion?
Exothermic reaction and a form of oxidation
List the 5 common fuels for fire
Hydocarbons, hydrogen (clean, no GHG), O2 (21% in atmo), O3, halogens (7A)
What are hydrocarbons?
Atoms made up of H and C atoms ex.
CH4 methane
C4H10 butane
C3H8 propane
C2H6 ethane
How can O3 differ depending on the atmospere layer it is in?
Troposphere: toxic and causes smog
Stratosphere: protects us from UV rays by absorption
What substance can sterilize water
O3
