Air pollution Flashcards
Fossil fuels such as crude oil and coal contain…
Hydrocarbons
During combustion, what happens in these compound
The carbon and hydrogen in these compounds are oxidised
Why do they become oxidised?
so that the c02 and the water vapour is released into the atmosphere
What’s complete combustion??
When there’s plenty of oxygen, all the fuel burns
What’s incomplete combustion?? What happens under these conditions?
If there’s not enough oxygen, some of the fuel doesn’t burn
- particulates of soot and unburnt fuel are released and carbon monoxide can be produced as well as co2
particulates in the air cause many problems such as:
- if inhaled they can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage -> respiratory problems
- They’re also bad for the environment, they themselves or the cloud they help to produce reflects sunlight back into space, this means less light reaches earth -> Global diming
Carbonate monoxide cause many problems such as:
- dangerous as can stop the blood from doing it job of carrying oxygen in the body
- Just this by binding to haemoglobin in your blood that normally carries o2 -> less o2 carried around your body
- lack of o2 -> coma, fainting , death
- carbon monoxide has no colour, smell so its hard to detect -> more dangerous
when is sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen released?
- Sulphur dioxide is released during the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal that contain sulphur impurities
- The sulphur in the fuel then becomes oxidised
- nitrogen oxides is created from a reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the air caused by the heat of the burning, this can happen in internal combustion engines of cars.
What happens when these gases mix with clouds?
- they form dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid
this then falls as acid rain
Why is acid rain dangerous
kills plants + damaged buildings and statues.
It can also make metal cored.
Why is sulfuric acid or nitric acid dangerous ?
Bad for health if breathed in -> respiratory problems
