Atomphere Flase Cards Flashcards
What is a finite resource? Give an example.
A finite resource is a natural resource that cannot be replenished after it is used up.
Example: fossil fuels.
What is a renewable resource? Give an example.
A renewable resource is a natural resource that can be replenished naturally over time.
Example: solar energy.
What is water that is safe to drink called?
Potable water.
Why is water filtered during the purification of water?
To remove impurities and contaminants.
How and why is drinking water sterilised?
Drinking water is sterilised using methods like chlorination or boiling to kill harmful microorganisms.
Place the following in the correct order for the treatment of waste water: grit removal, anaerobic treatment of sludge, sedimentation, screening, aerobic treatment of effluent, settlement tanks, aeration.
- Screening
- Grit removal
- Sedimentation
- Aeration
- Aerobic treatment of effluent
- Settlement tanks
- Anaerobic treatment of sludge.
What is an ore?
A naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted.
What is an alloy?
A mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and another element.
What are the properties and uses of high carbon steel?
High carbon steel is hard and strong, used for cutting tools and blades.
What are the properties and uses of low carbon steel?
Low carbon steel is ductile and malleable, used for construction and automotive applications.
What is the meaning of corrosion?
The gradual destruction of materials, usually metals, by chemical reactions with their environment.
What is the corrosion of iron or steel called? Write a word equation for this reaction.
Rusting.
Word equation: Iron + Oxygen + Water → Iron(III) oxide (rust).
How can rusting be prevented?
By applying protective coatings, using corrosion-resistant materials, or galvanization.
Explain how bioleaching works.
Bioleaching uses bacteria to extract metals from their ores.
Explain how phytomining works.
Phytomining involves growing plants that accumulate metals from the soil, which are then harvested for extraction.
What is the difference between a thermosetting and a thermosoftening polymer?
Thermosetting polymers harden permanently when set, while thermosoftening polymers can be reshaped upon heating.
What is soda-lime glass and borosilicate glass made from?
Soda-lime glass is made from silica, soda, and lime; borosilicate glass is made from silica and boron trioxide.
Give an example of a composite material and state its use.
Concrete; used in construction.
What is meant by the phrase ‘life cycle assessment’?
A method to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle.
List 3 materials that are recyclable.
- Paper
- Glass
- Plastic.
Why is it important to reuse or recycle materials?
To conserve resources, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact.
What is a resource that cannot be replaced once it has been used?
Fossil fuels, metal ores
These resources are finite and can be depleted.
What is a resource that we can replace once we have used it?
Air, oxygen, biofuels
These resources can be regenerated or replenished.
What is defined as portable water?
Water that is safe for drinking and cooking
It must be free from contaminants.
What is the first step in water treatment?
Remove any solid particles from the water
This is crucial for ensuring water clarity and safety.
What treatments kill microbes in water?
Ozone or ultraviolet light
These methods are effective in disinfecting water.
List the steps involved in water treatment.
- Screening
- Grit removal
- Sedimentation tanks
- Aeration
- Setting tanks
- Aerobic treatment of effluent
- Anaerobic treatment of sludge
Each step plays a role in purifying water.
What is a rock from which a metal can be extracted for profit called?
Ore
Ores are valuable for metal extraction.
What is an alloy?
A mixture of a metal with small amounts of other metals or carbon
Alloys are often created to enhance properties.
Describe the properties and uses of hard and brittle materials.
- Properties: Hard and brittle
- Uses: Saw blades
These materials are ideal for cutting tools.
Describe the properties and uses of soft and easily shaped materials.
- Properties: Soft and easily shaped
- Uses: Car bodies
These materials are suitable for manufacturing complex shapes.
What is the destruction of materials by chemical reactions with environmental substances called?
Corrosion
This process can lead to significant material degradation.
What is rusting?
Iron + water + oxygen → rust
This is a common example of corrosion.
How can rusting be prevented?
- Use of a sacrificial protective layer
- Use of a protective coating
These methods help protect iron and steel from corrosion.
What is bioleaching?
Use of bacteria to produce soluble metal compounds from insoluble metal compounds
This method is an environmentally friendly way of metal extraction.
What is phytomining?
The use of plants to absorb metal compounds from soil as part of metal extraction
This technique utilizes plant biology for resource extraction.
What is a thermosetting polymer?
A polymer with covalent bonds between chains that does not soften or melt when heated
These materials maintain their shape under heat.
What is a thermosoftening polymer?
A polymer with no bonds between chains that softens and melts when heated
These materials can be reshaped upon heating.
What are the components of soda-lime glass?
- Sand
- Sodium carbonate
- Calcium carbonate
This is the most common type of glass.
What are the components of borosilicate glass?
- Sand
- Boron trioxide
This glass is known for its thermal resistance.
What is concrete made from?
- Cement
- Water
- Sand
- Crushed rock
Concrete is a widely used building material.
What is a life cycle assessment?
An examination of the impact of a product on the environment throughout its life
This assessment helps to identify environmental effects at each stage.
Name three materials that can be reused or recycled.
- Metals
- Glass
- Plastics
These materials can significantly reduce environmental impact when reused.
What are the benefits of reusing and recycling?
- Reduces the impact of manufacturing new materials on the environment
- Reduces the impact of waste disposal on the environment
- Reduces the use of the Earth’s limited resources
- Reduces energy consumption and the use of fuels
These practices are essential for sustainable development.
What is the combination of gases in the current atmosphere?
Mainly nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.04%), and trace gases.
The current atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen, with trace amounts of other gases.
What other planets are thought to have atmospheres similar to that of early Earth?
Mars and Venus.
Mars and Venus are considered to have had atmospheres that could resemble early Earth’s atmospheric conditions.
What 5 gases could have been released from volcanos, changing the atmosphere of the early Earth?
- Water vapor
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Sulfur dioxide
- Methane
These gases were likely emitted during volcanic eruptions, significantly altering the early Earth’s atmosphere.
As the Earth cooled, what happened to the water vapour in the atmosphere?
It condensed to form liquid water, leading to the formation of oceans.
The cooling of the Earth allowed water vapor to change from gas to liquid, resulting in the creation of oceans.
Where did the oxygen in the atmosphere come from? Equation?
From photosynthesis; Equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2.
Photosynthesis by plants and cyanobacteria produced oxygen as a byproduct.
Where did all the carbon dioxide go from the early atmosphere?
Absorbed by oceans and used by plants for photosynthesis.
The dissolution in oceans and biological processes contributed to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
What is a greenhouse gas?
A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, which help maintain Earth’s temperature.
Name 3 greenhouse gases.
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Nitrous oxide
These gases are significant contributors to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
What caused the increase in carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Human activities such as industrial processes and land-use changes have led to higher levels of carbon dioxide.
Where does the methane come from?
From natural processes like decomposition and human activities such as agriculture and waste management.
Methane is released during the breakdown of organic matter and from livestock digestion.
What is global warming?
The long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities.
Global warming is primarily driven by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
List the 6 factors that are being influenced by global warming.
- Temperature
- Sea levels
- Weather patterns
- Ecosystems
- Agriculture
- Human health
These factors are interconnected and affected by climate change and global warming.
What is meant by the term carbon footprint?
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or product.
Carbon footprint is usually measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Fuels and processes whose use results in zero net release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere’ is the definition of…?
Carbon-neutral.
Carbon-neutral practices aim to balance emitted greenhouse gases with those removed from the atmosphere.
What problems does carbon dioxide cause and what can be done about it?
Causes climate change; Solutions include reducing fossil fuel use and increasing renewable energy.
Addressing carbon dioxide emissions is critical for mitigating climate change.
What problems does carbon monoxide cause and what can be done about it?
Causes respiratory issues and environmental pollution; Solutions include improving combustion efficiency and using catalytic converters.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion.
What problems does soot cause and what can be done about it?
Affects air quality and climate; Solutions include using cleaner fuels and improving combustion technology.
Soot is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and biomass.
What problems does sulfur dioxide cause and what can be done about it?
Causes acid rain and respiratory problems; Solutions include reducing fossil fuel use and installing scrubbers in industrial processes.
Sulfur dioxide is primarily produced by burning coal and oil.
What problems do nitrogen oxides cause and what can be done about it?
Contributes to smog and respiratory issues; Solutions include using catalytic converters and improving fuel efficiency.
Nitrogen oxides are produced during combustion at high temperatures.
What problems do unburned hydrocarbons cause and what can be done about it?
Contribute to smog and health problems; Solutions include improving combustion processes and using cleaner fuels.
Unburned hydrocarbons are emissions from incomplete combustion of fuels.
