C6. 3 Flashcards
What are pollutants?
Substances released into the environment that may harm living things
Atmospheric pollutants are specifically released into the air, often from burning fossil fuels.
What are the major sources of atmospheric pollutants?
Burning fossil fuels, industry, and vehicle exhausts
Common pollutants include carbon monoxide, particulates, oxides of nitrogen, and sulfur dioxide.
What is photochemical smog?
A harmful mixture of pollutants formed when pollutants react in sunlight
It is often visible as a hazy view over cities.
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
A toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels
It is colorless, tasteless, and odorless.
How does carbon monoxide affect the body?
It attaches to haemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport
This can lead to symptoms such as drowsiness and difficulty breathing.
What are two symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Drowsiness and difficulty breathing
Severe poisoning can even lead to death.
What safety device is commonly used to detect carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide detectors
They sound an alarm if faulty gas appliances produce CO.
Fill in the blank: Pollutants from industry and vehicle exhausts form _______ in the sunlight.
photochemical smog
True or False: Carbon monoxide has a distinct smell that can be easily detected.
False
Carbon monoxide is odorless.
What are particulates?
Small particles produced in industrial processes and during incomplete combustion and vehicle engines
What health problems are caused by particulates?
Diseases such as bronchitis, breathing problems, and increased chance of heart disease
What is the maximum diameter of a PM particle in metres in standard form?
1.0 x 10^-5 m
What gases react to form nitrogen monoxide?
Nitrogen and oxygen
What is nitrogen dioxide formed from?
Nitrogen monoxide is oxidised in air to form nitrogen dioxide
What are the oxides of nitrogen collectively called?
NOx
How does nitrogen dioxide contribute to acid rain?
It dissolves in moisture in clouds, forming an acidic solution
What are the effects of acid rain?
Erodes stonework, corrodes metals, kills trees, and harms living things in rivers and lakes
What compounds in fossil fuels contribute to acid rain?
Small amounts of sulfur compounds
What does sulfur dioxide cause when fossil fuels are burnt?
Acid rain and breathing difficulties
Name two substances that cause acid rain.
Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide
What is the relationship between oxides of metals and non-metals?
Oxides of metals are basic and oxides of non-metals are acidic
Why is rainwater naturally weakly acidic?
It contains dissolved carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Fill in the blank: Acid rain can erode _______.
stonework
True or False: Particulates can cause heart disease.
True
Outline how acid rain forms.
Nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures to form nitrogen monoxide, which is oxidised to nitrogen dioxide; nitrogen dioxide dissolves in moisture in clouds to form acid rain.
Describe two problems caused by acid rain.
- Erosion of stonework
- Damage to trees and aquatic life
Explain how carbon monoxide may form when methane is used as a fuel.
Methane combusts incompletely, leading to the production of carbon monoxide
wht are the main problems of industrial processes and vehicle engines on the environment .
Sources include:
* Industrial processes - particulates, sulfur dioxide
* Vehicle engines - nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide
What is the greenhouse effect?
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane absorb infrared radiation radiated by the Earth’s surface, then emit it in all directions. This effect keeps the Earth and its atmosphere warm enough for living things to exist.
Includes the process of energy transfer from the Sun and the role of greenhouse gases in warming the Earth’s surface and atmosphere.
List the types of radiation absorbed and emitted by greenhouse gases.
- Infrared radiation absorbed
- Infrared radiation emitted
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
The enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by the release of additional greenhouse gases from human activities, leading to increased atmospheric temperature and global warming.
This results in melting ice caps, rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, flooding, and issues with farming and disease control.
What human activities release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
- Combustion of fossil fuels
What are the sources of methane emissions?
- Rice paddy fields
- Cattle
- Landfill waste sites
- Use of natural gas
How can greenhouse gas emissions be reduced? (List two methods)
- Reducing fossil fuel consumption (e.g., using biofuels)
- Using renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar) to generate electricity
What is one method to prevent carbon dioxide from escaping during fuel use?
Using carbon capture technology.
True or False: Climate change can cause problems with farming.
True
What challenges do scientists face in testing theories about climate change?
The Earth and its atmosphere are large, complex systems, making controlled fair testing difficult.
Why are emissions of water vapour not seen as a problem?
- Water vapour is naturally occurring
- It is part of the Earth’s natural processes
Fill in the blank: The release of additional greenhouse gases by _______ activities has the potential to cause an enhanced greenhouse effect.
[human]
What are the consequences of global warming mentioned in the text? (List two)
- Melting ice caps
- Rising sea levels
What is the average daily water usage for a person in the UK?
About 150 litres per day
What is meant by ‘potable’ water?
Safe to drink
How many people in the UK receive fluoridated tap water?
Around six million people
What are the benefits of fluoridation in tap water?
Helps to protect against tooth decay
What is a concern consumers have about water fluoridation?
Their right to make their own decisions is removed
What are the main sources of drinking water?
Lakes, reservoirs, aquifers, rivers, and waste water
What types of materials are found in water from natural sources?
Insoluble materials and soluble substances
What must be removed from water at treatment works?
Microorganisms and different substances
What is the purpose of the screen at the water treatment works?
To catch large objects such as leaves and twigs
What happens to the water after it passes through the screen?
It is passed through a special filter made of fine sand
What is added to the water to help remove small particles of dirt?
Aluminium sulfate and lime
What is the purpose of adding chlorine to the water?
To kill bacteria
What is checked and corrected to ensure water is safe to drink?
The pH of the water
What process is used to treat salt water to make it potable?
Desalination
What method is used for small scale desalination?
Reverse osmosis
What method is used for large scale desalination?
Simple distillation
Why is desalination not worthwhile in the UK?
Fresh water supplies are sufficient
Fill in the blank: Chlorine does not ______ the water but it does kill bacteria.
clean
What is the final step in the water treatment process before distribution?
Storing in large tanks and service reservoirs
Describe one advantage of distilling seawater for drinking water.
Provides a source of fresh water in areas with limited supplies
Describe one disadvantage of distilling seawater for drinking water.
High energy cost
