Air

Question 1

Carbon monoxide

Answer 1

Source:
Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances/ carbon-containing fuel from power station

Undesirable effect:
Toxic, binds irreversibly to haemoglobin preventing it from carrying oxygen to other body tissues
Cause respiratory problems

Question 2

Sulfur dioxide

Answer 2

Source:
1. Burning of sulfur-containing fossil fuels in power stations
2. Volcanic eruptions
3. Extraction of metals from sulfide ores

Undesirable effects:
1. Dissolve in rain water to form acid rain
2. Damages plant by making soil more acidic
3. Decreases pH of lakes and rivers, killing aquatic life
4. Leaches nutrients from soil, cause plants to wither
5. React with Al(OH)3 to produce aluminium ions that are toxic to plants
6. Cause breathing problems and irritate eyes and lungs

Question 3

Oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO2)

Answer 3

Source:
1. Burning of fuel at high temperatures
2. Reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the air during thunderstorms
3. Vehicle exhaust fumes

Undesirable effects:
1. Dissolve in rain water to form acid rain
2. Cause breathing problems and damage to lungs
3. React with hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight to form pollutant ozone

Question 4

Methane

Answer 4

Source:
1. Main component of natural gas
2. Rotting of animals/ plants
3. Horse and cows’ digestion

Undesirable effect:
Traps heat from the sun, let temperature rises

Question 5

Unburnt hydrocarbon

Answer 5

Source:
1. Incomplete combustion of fuels in motor vehicles
2. Incomplete combustion of fuels in power plants

Undesirable effects:
1. React with nitrogen oxides under sunlight to form pollutant ozone
2. Carcinogenic

Question 6

Ozone

Answer 6

Source:
Reaction of unburnt hydrocarbon with oxides of nitrogen under presence of sunlight

Undesirable effect:
Irritates eyes and lungs
Cause respiratory problems
Forms photochemical smog

Question 7

Formation of acid rain

Answer 7

SO2 + H2O -> H2SO3
2 H2SO3 + O2-> 2 H2SO4

2NO3+ H2O -> HNO3 + HNO2
2 HNO2 + O2 -> 2 HNO3

Question 8

Chlorflurocarbons

Answer 8

Used as aerosol propellant or coolant fluid for refrigerator and air conditioners.

Decomposed by sunlight to produce chorine atoms which destroys ozone layer and increase UV radiation

Question 9

Flue Gas Desulfuricatiom

Answer 9

Remove sulfur dioxide from flue gas.
CaCO3 + SO2 -> CaSO3 + CO2

Question 10

Use of catalytic converters

Answer 10

When hot exhaust gases from the engine is passed over the catalysts, the harmful pollutants are converted to harmless substances.
2CO + O2 -> 2CO2
2NO + 2CO -> N2 + 2CO2