Atmosphere and The Enviroment Flashcards
What is the air made up of?
78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and the rest are noble gases and carbon dioxide.
What is carbon monoxide?
It is a poisonous gas. It is colourless and odourless.
How is carbon monoxide produced?
It is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and petrol in car engines.
How does carbon monoxide affect the environment?
It reacts with haemoglobin in humans to form carboxyhaemoglobin. It is extremely stable, preventing oxygen from being transported around the body.
What is oxides of nitrogen?
They are nitrogen monoxide and dioxide.
How are oxides of nitrogen formed?
1) In car engines or factory. Where the temperatures are high, nitrogen combusts with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen monoxide. Nitrogen monoxide, a colourless gas, reacts with oxygen to form carbon monoxide. 2) Lightning strike. The heat energy released by the lightning causes nitrogen and oxygen in the air to react to form nitrogen monoxide and dioxide.
How does oxides of nitrogen affect the environment?
They irritate the eyes and the lungs.
How does nitrogen dioxide form acid rain?
With the presence of water and oxygen, it is converted to nitric acid which corrodes buildings and harms plants.
What is sulfur dioxide?
It is sulfur found in fossil fuels.
How is sulfur dioxide formed?
1) Combustion of fossil fuels. A major amount of sulfur dioxide is formed through the combustion of coal and crude oil. When they are burnt, the sulfur is converted into sulfur dioxide. 2) Volcanic eruptions. Large amounts of sulfur dioxide is formed when a volcanic eruption occurs.
