Ch17 Chemistry Of Our Environment

Question 1

Define atmosphere:

Answer 1

The layer of air and water vapor surrounding the earth

Question 2

Define clean dry air:

Answer 2

Containing no water vapor, and only the gases that are always present in the air

Question 3

Define respiration:

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Define inert:

Answer 4

A term that describes substances that do not produce a chemical reaction when another substance is added

Question 5

Define photosynthesis:

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Define pollutants:

Answer 6

Substances, often harmful, which are added to another substance

Question 7

Define global warming:

Answer 7

A long-term increase in the average temperature of the earths surface, which may be caused in part by human activities

Question 8

Define climate change:

Answer 8

Changes in weather patterns brought about by global warming

Question 9

Define particulates:

Answer 9

Very tiny solid particles produced during the combustion of fuels

Question 10

Define combustion:

Answer 10

(Burning)
Rapid chemical combination of a substance with oxygen, involving the production of heat and light.

Question 11

Define acid rain:

Answer 11

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)

Question 12

Define desulfurisation:

Answer 12

The removal of sulfur dioxide from the fumes of power stations

Question 13

Define acid base reaction:

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

Define photochemical smog:

Answer 14

A form of local atmospheric pollution found in large cities in which several gases react with each other to produce harmful products

Question 15

Define catalytic converter:

Answer 15

A device for converting polluting exhaust gases from cars into less dangerous emissions

Question 16

Define incomplete combustion:

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Define complete combustion:

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Define greenhouse gas:

Answer 18

A gas that absorbs thermal energy reflected from the surface of the earth, stopping it escaping the atmosphere

Question 19

Define greenhouse effect:

Answer 19

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)

Question 20

Define renewable (resources):

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Define chlorophyll:

Answer 21

A green pigment in plants which traps energy from the sun in photosynthesis

Question 22

Define run-off:

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Define biodegradable:

Answer 23

A substance that can be broken down/decomposed by microorganisms