Atmosphere and Environment Flashcards
Composition volume of gases
O2 – 21%
N2 – 78%
CO2 – 0.03%
Water Vapour – 0-5%
Noble gases – <1%
What is air pollution?
Air pollution is the condition in which there is a high concentration of chemicals in the air which is harmful to living things and damage non-living things
Properties of carbon monoxide CO
√ colours
√ odourless
√ poisonous
Source of CO
incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels
Effects of CO
√ CO binds with haemoglobin in blood to form carboxyhemoglobin, preventing blood from transporting oxygen, leading to breathing difficulties
√ lack of oxygen also leads to brain damage and causes cell tissues to die
Properties of nitrogen oxide NO
√ colourless
√ odourless
√ non-flammable
Properties of nitrogen dioxide NO2
√ reddish brown
√ pungent odour
√ non-flammable
Source of oxides of nitrogen
√ lightning
√ internal combustion in engines from the reaction between O2 and N2 at very high temperatures
Effects of oxides of nitrogen
√ breathing difficulties
√ acid rain
- damages crops
- kills marine life
- corrodes buildings made of limestone
Properties of sulfur dioxide SO2
√ colourless
√ penetrating odour
√ non-flammable
Source of sulfur dioxide SO2
√ Volcanic eruptions
√ combustion of coal and fossil fuels
Effects of sulfur dioxide SO2
√ breathing difficulties
√ acid rain
- damages crops
- kills marine life
- corrodes buildings made of limestone
Properties of methane CH4
√ colourless
√ flammable
Source of methane CH4
decomposition of plant and animal matter in wetlands and marches by bacteria, in the absence of oxygen
Effects of methane CH4
√ greenhouse gas
√ more warming effect than CO2
√ sever global warming
√ melting of polar ice caps
√ sever flooding
√ drastic weather changes
