5.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources Flashcards
Most fuels, including coal, contain?
carbon and/or hydrogen and may
also contain some sulfur
The gases released into the atmosphere when a fuel is burned may
include?
carbon dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen
Solid particles and unburned
hydrocarbons may also be released that form?
particulates in the atmosphere
when do fuels release energy?give two examples
when they are burned
examples: coal and hydrocarbons
when is coal often used?
to generate electricity in power stations
when we burn fuels such as coal and hydrocarbons what happens?
the carbon and hydrogen atoms react with oxygen in the air–> these elements are oxidised
in complete combustion what are the products?
carbon dioxide and water
what do we need for complete combustion to happen?
plenty of oxygen
carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas , it can cause
climate change
if amount of oxygen is reduced what do we produce
carbon monoxide than carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
-toxic gas no colour or smell
some fuels such as coal contain the element?
sulfur
when coal is burned the sulfur atoms are?
oxidised (react with oxygen)- produces sulfur dioxide
where are oxides of nitrogen produced?
inside of engines e.g cars, high temps cause nitrogen and oxygen from the air to react
what can both sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause ?
breathing problems in humans
also dissolve in rain water to form acid rain
