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Chemistry > C1 - Air Quality > Flashcards

C1 - Air Quality Flashcards

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1
Q

What percentage of nitrogen is current in the atmosphere?

A

78%

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2
Q

What percentage of oxygen is present in the atmosphere?

A

21%

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3
Q

What percentage of argon is present in the atmosphere?

A

0.93

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4
Q

What percentage of carbon dioxide is present in the atmosphere?

A

0.04%

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5
Q

What percentage of water vapour is present in the atmosphere?

A

Varied

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6
Q

What are the TWO ways to measure the concentration of pollutants?

A

ppb (parts per billion)

ppm (parts per million)

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7
Q

What is a pollutant?

A

Chemicals that can harm the environment and our health.

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8
Q

How is carbon dioxide harmful to the environment?

A

It traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.

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9
Q

How is nitrogen oxide harmful to the environment?

A

It can cause acid rain.

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10
Q

How is nitrogen oxide harmful to people?

A

It can cause breathing problems and can make asthma worse.

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11
Q

How is sulphur dioxide harmful to the environment?

A

It can cause acid rain.

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12
Q

How can particulates be harmful to the environment?

A

It can make buildings dirty.

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13
Q

How can particulates be harmful to people?

A

Can make asthma and lung infections worse if inhaled.

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14
Q

How can carbon monoxide be harmful to humans?

A

It displaces oxygen in the blood which can result in death.

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15
Q

How long ago was the Earth formed?

A

4.6 billion years

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16
Q

What is combustion?

A

A chemical reaction that occurs when fuels burn, releasing energy as heat.

17
Q

What is oxidation?

A

A chemical reaction which occurs when oxygen combines with another element or compound.

18
Q

What is reduction?

A

When oxygen is lost from a substance.

19
Q

What is an element?

A

A substance which is made entirely from one atom.

20
Q

What is a compound?

A

A substance made up of two or more different elements which are chemically combined.

21
Q

What is a hydrocarbon made up of?

A

Hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms

22
Q

What is the formula for complete combustion?

A

Fuel + oxygen ——> carbon dioxide + water

23
Q

What is incomplete combustion?

A

When there is not enough oxygen in the air when a fuel is burnt, carbon particulates or carbon monoxide is produced.

24
Q

What happens to pollutants in the environment?

A
  • 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
25
Q

How can emissions from power stations be reduced?

A
  • 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
26
Q

How can emissions from motor vehicles be reduced?

A
  • 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
27
Q

How can emissions be reduced on a global scale?

A

The Kyoto Protocol

28
Q

How can emissions be reduced on a national scale?

A
  • 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
29
Q

How can emissions be reduced on a local scale?

A
  • Recycling
  • Regular bus and train services
  • Congestion charges
  • ‘Park and ride’ schemes
  • Cycle paths and cycle parks
30
Q

What types of personal choices can reduce emissions?

A
  • 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

Chemistry (4 decks)

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