C1C - Clean Air Flashcards
Is the air more rich in oxygen or nitrogen ?
Nitrogen
How much nitrogen is in the air ?
78%
How much oxygen is there in the air ?
21%
1st step of atmosphere evolution is ?
Volcanos degassing making the atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide and water
2nd step of atmosphere evolution ?
Water vapour condensed to form oceans
3rd step of atmosphere evolution ?
Carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean
4th step of atmosphere evolution ?
Relative increase in nitrogen because of its lack of reactivity
5th step in atmosphere evolution ?
The development of photosynthetic organisms
6th step in atmosphere evolution ?
Increase in oxygen levels because of photosynthesis
Why was there an increase in nitrogen ?
Due to its lack of reactivity
What are the uses and products of photosynthesis ?
U: carbon dioxide
P: oxygen
What are the uses and products of respiration ?
U: oxygen
P: carbon dioxide
The uses and products of combustion are the same as that of what ?
Respiration
A company decides to cut down many trees in a certain forest. A year later the levels of carbon dioxide have increased and the levels of oxygen have decreased in the forest! Why ?
Deforestation will produce less oxygen and more carbon dioxide because there will be a decrease in photosynthesis
How are the population of Britain effecting the composition of air ?
They are increasing levels of carbon dioxide and decreasing levels of oxygen because there is more people therefore more burning of fuels to power things. E.g cars
What is carbon monoxide ?
A poisonous gas formed by the incomplete combustion of petrol or diesel in car engines
Why impact do oxides of nitrogen have ?
Causes photochemical smog and acid rain
Where are oxides of nitrogen formed ?
In the internal combustion engine ?
What causes acid rain ?
Sulfur dioxide
Why should everyone be so bothered about acid rain ?
Kills plants & aquatic life. Erodes stonework and corrodes metals
How is sulfur dioxide formed ?
When sulfur impurities in fossil fuels burn
What does a catalytic converter do ?
Removes carbon monoxide from the exhaust gases of cars
What is formed when sulfur dioxide mixes with clouds ?
Dilute sulfuric acid which falls as acid rain
How are oxides of nitrogen made in an internal combustion engine ?
The high temperature inside the internal combustion engine allows nitrogen from the air to react with oxygen
