15B Midterm Flashcards

1
Q

Why is low pH in AMD harmful?

A

Acid incurs dissolution, H+ corrodes cell membranes. Also mobilizes metals, converting them to ions, making them more soluble.

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2
Q

What can be used to neutralize pH?

A

CaCO3 (limestone) can be used to neutralize pH. Other bases can be used as well.

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3
Q

What is AMD?

A

Mining exposes sulfur-bearing minerals to atmospheric O2, H2O, and acidophili iron-oxidizing bacteria. This results in sulfuric acid, dissolved iron, and ferric hydroxide. Sulfuric acid dissolves heavy metals and forms acidic pH solution with enters soil, surface water, and groundwater.

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4
Q

How to calculate pH

A

pH = -log[H+] or [H+] = 10^-pH

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5
Q

Why is nuclear power so powerful?

A

Radioactive isotopes high on periodic table are useful because they have a large, unstable nucleus, which can be split when hit by a high-speed n, releasing a lot of energy. A single neutron can initiate a chain reaction because it hits a U-235, which splits into other atoms and neutrons, which hit other U-235 nuclei.

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6
Q

Why does nuclear power generate so much waste?

A

The products from nuclear power constitute diverse waste which decay at different rates. Some decay quickly and are more immediately harmful to human health, such as U tailings leaching into water, releasing radiation in the body.

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7
Q

What are mine tailings?

A

Waste leftover after target mineral is extracted. It is composed of crushed rock, water, and trace metals. Often acidic and can leach.

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8
Q

What is stoichiometry?

A

The balancing of equations and conversion between moles and mass.

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9
Q

What are the types of radioactive decay?

A

Alpha - 4/2 He particle
Beta - 0/-1 electron
Gamma - 0/0 y (photon)

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10
Q

What is an oxide?

A

An oxide is a compound containing at least one oxygen atom and one other element. They are termed as oxides because they exist with only one other element.

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11
Q

What are aerosols? What is an example?

A

Suspensions of small solid particles in gas or liquid. They are the most complicated and least understood forcing on climate change. They can scatter and/or absorb radiation.

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12
Q

Why do we need more neutrons to balance out large nuclei?

A

To balance out all Z pushing each other apart.

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13
Q

What is an acid? What is a base?

A

An acid is a substance that forms H+ ions when dissolved in water. A base is a substance that can accept H+ ions in water and neutralize an acid.

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14
Q

How do we predict rad?

A

See notes

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15
Q

What are catalysts? Draw this.

A

Bacteria can catalyze the AMD rxn - speeding it up, lowering activation energy.

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16
Q

What is potential energy? What is kinetic energy?

A

Potential is energy due to position. Water at top of dam. Kinetic is energy of motion. Water moving through turbine in dam to generate electricity.