Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources (9.3)

Question 1

What is a major source of atmospheric pollutants?

Answer 1

The combustion of fuels

Question 2

Most fuels, including coal, contain what?

Answer 2

carbon and/or hydrogen and may also contain some sulfur

Question 3

7 needed

The gases released into the atmosphere when a fuel is burned may include…

Answer 3

• carbon dioxide
• water vapour
• carbon monoxide
• sulfur dioxide
• oxides of nitrogen

Solid particles and unburned hydrocarbons may also be released that form particulates in the atmosphere

Question 4

What is the source of carbon monoxide?

Answer 4

Incomplete combustion of any fuel containing carbon atoms

Question 5

What is the source of soot (carbon particles)?

Answer 5

Incomplete combustion of any fuel containing carbon atoms

Question 6

What is the source of sulfur dioxide?

Answer 6

Combustion of a fossil fuel which contains sulfur impurities

Question 7

what is a source of nitrogen oxides?

Answer 7

Oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen inside the engine of a car, lorry, etc

Question 8

What does complete combustion produce?

Answer 8

carbon dioxide and water

Question 9

Carbon monoxide is a (…) gas

Answer 9

toxic

Question 10

Why is carbon monoxide not easily detected?

Answer 10

It is colourless and odourless

Question 11

2 causes needed

What do sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause?

Answer 11

• respiratory problems in humans
• acid rain - which damages stonework/statues

Question 12

2 causes needed

What do particulates cause?

Answer 12

global dimming

health problems for humans

Question 13

How did the suspension of limestone decrease the environmental impacts of sulphur dioxides and oxides of nitrogen?

Answer 13

Acid rain caused by sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

which react with limestone (calcium carbonate)

Question 14

How did the suspension of limestone decrease the environmental impacts of carbon dioxide?

Answer 14

Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide will react or dissolve in suspension of limestone

Question 15

How is carbon monoxide produced when diesel burns in a fuel engine?

Answer 15

carbon reacts with/burns in oxygen

with a limited supply of oxygen (incomplete combustion)

Question 16

What colour will sulphur dioxide solution appear with universal indicator?

Answer 16

red/orange/yellow

because in solution, sulfur dioxide is an acid

Question 17

2 reasons

Why has the maximum allowed percentage of carbon monoxide been reduced for newer cars

Answer 17

carbon monoxide is toxic

greater public awareness about pollution

Question 18

How do oxides of nitrogen form when petrol is burned in a car engine?

Answer 18

nitrogen reacts with oxygen

at high temperature

Question 19

What do catalytic converters do?

Answer 19

Reduce release of toxic gases from car engine (exhaust pipe)

• convert carbon monoxide (which is toxic) into carbon dioxide
• convert nitrogen oxides (which cause acid rain) into nitrogen and oxygen