Chapter 1 - The Air We Breathe

Question 1

What is the composition of our air?

Answer 1

1. Nitrogen (78%)
2. Oxygen (21%)
   - -> other 1% made up of argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor etc

Question 2

What are percents per volume?

Answer 2

concentration

Question 3

What are the “bad” gases?

Answer 3

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
2. Ozone (O3)
3. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
4. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
5. Particulate Matter (PM)

Question 4

What is the EPA’s Air Quality Index?

Answer 4

shows level of health concern in air by color on a scale

-regional events like forest fires or volcanic eruptions can influence air quality

Question 5

What is a mixture?

Answer 5

physical combination of 2 or more substances present in variable amounts, can be broken down physically

Question 6

Make up of Inhaled Air vs. Exhaled Air

Answer 6

Inhaled: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, .9% argon, .04 CO2
Exhaled: 78% nitrogen, 16% oxygen, .9% argon, 4% CO2

Question 7

What are the bad gases?

Answer 7

Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Ozone (O3)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Particulate Matter (PM)

Question 8

Carbon Monoxide

Answer 8

“silent killer” - no color, taste, or smell

• sources: automobiles, charcoal grills
• enters bloodstream and interferes with ability of your hemoglobin to carry oxygen

Question 9

Ozone

Answer 9

• sharp odor
• can reduce lung function
• at high altitudes –> filters UV light (good)

Question 10

Nitrogen Dioxide

Answer 10

• brown color
• can combine with moist lung tissue to form an acid
• formed in anything that’s hot (vehicle engines, coal-fired coal plants)

Question 11

Sulfur Dioxide

Answer 11

• sharp unpleasant odor
• dissolves in moist lung tissue to form acid
• cause: burning coal

Question 12

Particulate Matter

Answer 12

• mix of tiny solid particles and microscopic liquid droplets
• classified by size over composition
• cause: vehicle engines, coal-burning power plants, wildfires, and blowing dust
• often visible as soot or smoke

Question 13

What is a compound?

Answer 13

matter that can’t be physically broken down, only chemically

Question 14

What is an element?

Answer 14

matter that can’t be broken down physically or chemically

Question 15

What is a pure substance?

Answer 15

matter that can’t be broken down physically

Question 16

What are the rows of the periodic table called?

Answer 16

periods

Question 17

What are the columns of the periodic table called?

Answer 17

groups

Question 18

change atoms –> ______

Answer 18

different molecule

Question 19

change number –> ______

Answer 19

different molecule

Question 20

change arrangement –> _________

Answer 20

different molecule

Question 21

Source of Sulfur Trioxide

Answer 21

coal + O2 –> SO2

2SO2 + O2 –> 2SO3

Question 22

Source of Nitrogen Oxides

Answer 22

N2 + O2 + high temp –> 2NO (nitrogen oxide)

2NO + O2 –> 2NO2

Question 23

Source of Ozone

Answer 23

VOCs + NO + .OH –> NO2 + etc.
NO2 + light –> NO + O
O + O2 –> O3