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Environmental chemistry Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the Earth’s resources used for?

A

To make homes, provide food, and for energy to cook, stay warm, and fuel transport.

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2
Q

Define natural resources.

A

Resources that form without human input, e.g. cotton or oil.

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3
Q

What are some examples of manmade synthetic products that have replaced natural resources?

A

Pesticides, fertiliser, internal combustion engine.

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4
Q

List synthetic alternatives developed due to chemistry.

A
  • Polyester instead of cotton
  • Nylon instead of silk
  • Acrylic fibre instead of wool
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5
Q

What role does chemistry play in agriculture and industry?

A

Improves processes to provide new products and supports sustainable development.

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6
Q

Define sustainable development.

A

Development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.

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7
Q

What are renewable resources?

A

Resources that reform at least as fast as we use them, e.g. timber, water, food.

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8
Q

What are finite resources?

A

Resources that aren’t being replaced at the speed they are being used up, e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, metal ores.

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9
Q

What is the greenhouse effect?

A

A process where greenhouse gases maintain temperatures on Earth high enough to support life.

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10
Q

Name the three main greenhouse gases.

A
  • Water vapour
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Methane
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11
Q

How do greenhouse gases affect radiation?

A

They allow short wavelength e.g. ultraviolet radiation to pass through the atmosphere where it hits the surface of the Earth and warms it up. However the Earth re emits long wavelength radiation which the greenhouse gases absorb and then reflect out in all directions including back to Earth.

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12
Q

True or False: We need some greenhouse gases to maintain Earth’s temperature.

A

True.

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: Sustainable development meets the needs of the current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own _______.

A

[needs].

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14
Q

What human activities increase the amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

A

Some human activities include:
* Deforestation
* Burning fossil fuels
* Farming animals
* Landfill

Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO2, while burning fossil fuels releases carbon. Farming animals produces methane, and landfills release CO2 and methane during decomposition.

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15
Q

What is climate change?

A

Climate change refers to the alteration of Earth’s climate patterns, primarily due to an increase in greenhouse gases from human activities.

This includes significant changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events.

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16
Q

What is the main cause of climate change according to peer-reviewed evidence?

A

The increase in the Earth’s atmospheric temperature due to human activities leading to higher levels of greenhouse gases.

This includes gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

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17
Q

What challenges exist in modeling global climate change?

A

Modeling global climate change is difficult due to the complexity of the systems involved, leading to simplified models and potentially biased speculations in media.

This can result in public misunderstanding of climate science.

18
Q

What are potential consequences of climate change?

A
  • Melting of polar ice caps
  • Changes in rainfall patterns
  • Increased frequency and severity of storms
  • Changes in habitat temperature and water availability

These consequences can lead to flooding, food production issues, and impacts on wild species.

19
Q

What is a carbon footprint?

A

The carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted throughout the life cycle of a product, service, or event.

It encompasses all emissions from production to disposal.

20
Q

How can the carbon footprint be reduced?

A

By reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.

Techniques include using renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.

21
Q

True or False: Burning fossil fuels does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

A

False

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon that was previously locked away, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

22
Q

Fill in the blank: The carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels could be pumped deep underground to be absorbed by _______.

A

[porous rocks]

This is a method known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) aimed at mitigating climate change.

23
Q

How can the methane produced by cattle be decreased?

A

By reducing demand for beef and promoting more plant-based diets

This suggests a shift in dietary preferences could have environmental benefits.

24
Q

What is one method governments could use to limit greenhouse gas emissions?

A

By putting a cap on emissions produced by companies

This approach seeks to regulate and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.

25
Q

How might governments tax individuals or companies related to environmental impact?

A

Based on their carbon footprint

This taxation approach incentivizes lower emissions.

26
Q

What are the four main stages to consider when writing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

A
  • Getting the raw material
  • Manufacturing and packaging
  • Using the product
  • Disposal

Each stage has environmental impacts that need assessment and transport and distribution at each stage.

27
Q

What inputs need to be quantified in an LCA?

A
  • Water
  • Resources
  • Energy sources

These inputs are vital for assessing the overall environmental impact.

28
Q

What outputs need to be quantified in an LCA?

A
  • Wastes
  • Pollutant effects

Understanding outputs helps evaluate the ecological footprint of a product.

29
Q

What raw material is used for plastic bags?

A

Crude oil

This highlights the fossil fuel dependence of plastic products.

30
Q

What raw material is used for paper bags?

A

Timber

This emphasizes the renewable resource aspect of paper products.

31
Q

What is a key environmental impact of manufacturing plastic bags?

A

Extraction of compounds from crude oil through fractional distillation, followed by cracking and polymerisation

This process is energy-intensive and involves significant resource extraction.

32
Q

What is a disadvantage of using plastic bags regarding disposal?

A

They are recyclable but not biodegradable and can pollute land

This indicates long-term environmental concerns associated with plastic waste.

33
Q

What is an advantage of using paper bags regarding disposal?

A

Biodegradable, non-toxic, and can be recycled

This makes paper bags more environmentally friendly in terms of waste management.

34
Q

What is a crucial aspect of writing an effective LCA?

A

To compare the two objects rather than just state the facts

This comparison is essential for understanding relative environmental impacts.

35
Q

What are the benefits of reducing the use of limited resources?

A
  • Reduces use of energy sources
  • Reduces waste
  • Minimizes incremental impacts

These benefits are crucial for sustainable resource management.

36
Q

What are some examples of materials produced from limited raw materials?

A

Metals, glass, building materials, clay ceramics, plastics

These materials rely on finite resources for their production.

37
Q

What is a significant environmental impact of obtaining raw materials?

A

Quarrying and mining can cause environmental impacts

These activities disrupt ecosystems and can lead to pollution.

38
Q

What can glass bottles be done with after use?

A

They can be reused or crushed and melted to make different glass products

This process contributes to material conservation.

39
Q

What happens to products that cannot be reused?

A

They are recycled for a different use

Examples include metals and plastics.

40
Q

How can metals be recycled?

A

By melting, recasting, and reforming into different products

This process significantly reduces the need for raw material extraction.

41
Q

What does the amount of separation required for recycling depend on?

A

The material and the properties required of the final product

Different materials have varying recycling processes.

42
Q

Fill in the blank: Some scrap steel can be added to iron from a blast furnace to _______ the amount of iron that needs to be extracted.

A

reduce

This practice helps in conserving resources.

Chemistry (16 decks)

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