Enviromental Problems Flashcards
What burn fossil fuels?
Power stations and cars
What is a way to stop acid rain?
Sulfur can be removed from fossil fuels before they are burned but this is expensive
What does acid rain cause?
Lakes to become acidic Plants and animals to die Kills trees Damages limestone buildings Human health problems
How does sulfur dioxide and nitrogen cause acid rain?
The chemical mixes with the clouds and form sulfuric acid or nitric acid and turns into acid rain
What is partial combustion?
Where there is not enough oxygen so some fuel does not burn causing soot and unburned particles to be released.
What is complete combustion?
When there is lots of oxygen and all the fuel burns.
What happens when a fuel contain sulfur?
It is released as sulfur dioxide when the fuel is burned.
What happens to crude oil and coal when burned?
They both contain carbon and hydrogen so in combustion the gases are oxidised and carbon dioxide and water vapour is released into the atmosphere.
What does global warming cause?
Change in rainfall
Climate change
Flood of ice caps
What is global dimming?
When less sun reaches the earth because soot and ash reflect the sunlight back into space
How can ethanol be used as fuel? Advantages and disadvantages
It is produced by a plant material and made by fermentation of plants. Co2 is taken away from the plant when it grows so it is carbon neutral. But engines need to be converted to use it as fuel and it is not widely available
How can biodiesel be used as fuel? Advantages and disadvantages
It is produced from vegetable oils (soilbean) and can be mixed with normal diseal. It is carbon neutral and cars don’t have to be converted there is also less sulfur dioxide. You cannot make enough of it to get rid of diseal. It is also expensive.
How can hydrogen gas be used as fuel? Advantages and disadvantages
From electrolysis of water. It is very clean. Need expensive machinery and not widely available it is also hard to store.
