C1 - Air Quality Flashcards
What percentage of nitrogen is current in the atmosphere?
78%
What percentage of oxygen is present in the atmosphere?
21%
What percentage of argon is present in the atmosphere?
0.93
What percentage of carbon dioxide is present in the atmosphere?
0.04%
What percentage of water vapour is present in the atmosphere?
Varied
What are the TWO ways to measure the concentration of pollutants?
ppb (parts per billion)
ppm (parts per million)
What is a pollutant?
Chemicals that can harm the environment and our health.
How is carbon dioxide harmful to the environment?
It traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
How is nitrogen oxide harmful to the environment?
It can cause acid rain.
How is nitrogen oxide harmful to people?
It can cause breathing problems and can make asthma worse.
How is sulphur dioxide harmful to the environment?
It can cause acid rain.
How can particulates be harmful to the environment?
It can make buildings dirty.
How can particulates be harmful to people?
Can make asthma and lung infections worse if inhaled.
How can carbon monoxide be harmful to humans?
It displaces oxygen in the blood which can result in death.
How long ago was the Earth formed?
4.6 billion years
What is combustion?
A chemical reaction that occurs when fuels burn, releasing energy as heat.
What is oxidation?
A chemical reaction which occurs when oxygen combines with another element or compound.
What is reduction?
When oxygen is lost from a substance.
What is an element?
A substance which is made entirely from one atom.
What is a compound?
A substance made up of two or more different elements which are chemically combined.
What is a hydrocarbon made up of?
Hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms
What is the formula for complete combustion?
Fuel + oxygen ——> carbon dioxide + water
What is incomplete combustion?
When there is not enough oxygen in the air when a fuel is burnt, carbon particulates or carbon monoxide is produced.
What happens to pollutants in the environment?
- Carbon particulates are deposited on buildings
- Some carbon dioxide is removed by natural processes such as photosynthesis
- Some carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater or seawater
- Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide dissolve in water to produce acid rain
How can emissions from power stations be reduced?
- Using less electricity so fewer fossil fuels need to be burnt
- Removing toxic chemicals before they are burnt
- Using alternative renewable sources of energy (e.g solar, wind, wave and hydroelectric to replace fossil fuels
- Using a filter system to remove sulphur dioxide and particulates from flue gases before they leave a power station’s chimney
How can emissions from motor vehicles be reduced?
- Buying a car with a modern engine so it is more efficient and burns less fuel
- Buying an electric car which can use electric power in city centres and petrol on longer journeys
- Using a low-sulphur fuel to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide released
- Converting the engine to run on biodiesel (which is renewable)
- Using public transport to reduce the number of vehicles on the road
- Making sure cars are fitted with catalytic converters
How can emissions be reduced on a global scale?
The Kyoto Protocol
How can emissions be reduced on a national scale?
- Making catalytic converters compulsory in new vehicles
- Using subsides or lower taxes to encourage power stations to use ‘cleaner’ fuels
- Introducing a car tax system which encourages drivers to buy smaller cars with smaller engines
- Encouraging investment in renewable energy such as wind and solar
- Setting legal limits for vehicle exhaust emissions
How can emissions be reduced on a local scale?
- Recycling
- Regular bus and train services
- Congestion charges
- ‘Park and ride’ schemes
- Cycle paths and cycle parks
What types of personal choices can reduce emissions?
- Turning electricity off not leaving things on standby
- Making sure your car has a catalytic converter
- Use alternate modes of transport (buses and trains)
- Recycle materials such as plastics, metal and glass
- Insulate homes so less heat is lost so heating won’t be needed as much
