Air pollution Flashcards
Can you give examples of fossil fuels and what do they contain?
Crude oil and coal,which contain hydrocarbons.
What happens during combustion to the hydrocarbons?
The compounds are oxidised so that carbon dioxide and water vapour are released into the atmosphere.
What happens when there’s plenty of oxygen during combustion?
All the fuels are burnt,called a complete combustion.
What will happen if there’s not enough oxygen,during combustion?
Some of the fuels doesn’t burn,which is called a incomplete combustion
What are the conditions like under the incomplete combustion?
Solid particles(called particulates)of soot(carbon)and unburnt fuel are released and carbon monoxide can be produced as well as carbon dioxide.
What are the problems that particulates in the air cause?
If the particulates are inhaled,they can get stuck into the lungs and cause damage.This can lead to respiratory problems.
They’re bad for the environment-they themselves or the clouds they help to produce,reflect sunlight back into space.This means less light reaches the Earth,causing global dimming.
How can carbon monoxide cause the body to stop blood from carrying oxygen around the body?
They bind to the haemoglobin in blood that normally carries oxygen-so less oxygen is able to be transported round your body.
Carbon monoxide can cause a lack of oxygen in the blood,what can it lead to?
fainting,a coma or even death
Why is carbon monoxide hard to detect?
It doesn’t have any smell or colour.
When is sulfur dioxide released and can you give an example?
The combustion of fossil fuels,such as coal that contain sulfur impurities-the sulfur in the fuel becomes oxidised.
What is nitrogen oxides created from?
A reaction between the nitrogen and oxygen in the air,caused by the heat of the burning.This can happen in the internal combustion of cars.
What can nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides mix with clouds to form?
Dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid.This then falls as acid rain.
What can acid rain cause?
Can kill plants and damage buildings and statues.It makes metal corrode.
How can sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides be bad for humans?
Can cause respiratory problems if they’re breathed in.
How can you test for sulfur impurities in a fuel?
By bubbling the gases from combustion through a solution containing Universal indicator-if the fuel contains sulfur,the gases will contain SO2,which will form sulfuric acid and the Universal indicator red.
