Ch17 Chemistry Of Our Environment Flashcards
Define atmosphere:
The layer of air and water vapor surrounding the earth
Define clean dry air:
Containing no water vapor, and only the gases that are always present in the air
Define respiration:
The chemical reaction (a combustion reaction)
by which biological cells release the energy stored in glucose for use by the cell or body
The reaction is exothermic and produces carbon dioxide and water as the chemical byproducts
Define inert:
A term that describes substances that do not produce a chemical reaction when another substance is added
Define photosynthesis:
The chemical process
by which plants synthesize glucose
from atmospheric carbon dioxide and water,
giving off oxygen as a byproduct
The energy required for the process is captured from sunlight by chlorophyll molecules in the green leaves of plants
Define pollutants:
Substances, often harmful, which are added to another substance
Define global warming:
A long-term increase in the average temperature of the earths surface, which may be caused in part by human activities
Define climate change:
Changes in weather patterns brought about by global warming
Define particulates:
Very tiny solid particles produced during the combustion of fuels
Define combustion:
(Burning)
Rapid chemical combination of a substance with oxygen, involving the production of heat and light.
Define acid rain:
Rain that has been more acidic than normal by the presence of dissolved pollutants
such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
And oxides of nitrogen (nitrogen oxide, NOx)
Define desulfurisation:
The removal of sulfur dioxide from the fumes of power stations
Define acid base reaction:
Chemical reaction between an acid and a base to produce assault and water only
Summarized by the ionic equation H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l)
Define photochemical smog:
A form of local atmospheric pollution found in large cities in which several gases react with each other to produce harmful products
Define catalytic converter:
A device for converting polluting exhaust gases from cars into less dangerous emissions
Define incomplete combustion:
A type of combustion reaction in which of fuel is burnt in a limited supply of oxygen
The incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels produces carbon, carbon monoxide and water
Define complete combustion:
A type of combustion reaction in which of fuel is burnt in a plentiful supply of oxygen
The combustion of hydrocarbon fuels produces carbon dioxide and water
Define greenhouse gas:
A gas that absorbs thermal energy reflected from the surface of the earth, stopping it escaping the atmosphere
Define greenhouse effect:
The natural phenomenon in which thermal energy (heat) from the sun is ‘trapped’ at the earths surface by certain gases in the atmosphere (greenhouse gases)
Define renewable (resources):
Sources of energy and other resources that cannot run out provided they are managed sustainably/can be made at a rate faster than our current rate of use
Define chlorophyll:
A green pigment in plants which traps energy from the sun in photosynthesis
Define run-off:
Water that travels over the surface of the land before entering waterways such as rivers and lakes
Run-off from farmland may contain dissolved substances, such as fertilizers
Define biodegradable:
A substance that can be broken down/decomposed by microorganisms
