Environmental chemistry

Question 1

What are the Earth’s resources used for?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define natural resources.

Answer 2

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Pesticides, fertiliser, internal combustion engine.

Question 4

List synthetic alternatives developed due to chemistry.

Answer 4

• Polyester instead of cotton
• Nylon instead of silk
• Acrylic fibre instead of wool

Question 5

What role does chemistry play in agriculture and industry?

Answer 5

Improves processes to provide new products and supports sustainable development.

Question 6

Define sustainable development.

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What are renewable resources?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What are finite resources?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Name the three main greenhouse gases.

Answer 10

• Water vapour
• Carbon dioxide
• Methane

Question 11

How do greenhouse gases affect radiation?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

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

Answer 12

True.

Question 13

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

Answer 13

[needs].

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What is climate change?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

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

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What challenges exist in modeling global climate change?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

What are potential consequences of climate change?

Answer 18

• 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.

Question 19

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

How can the carbon footprint be reduced?

Answer 20

By reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.

Techniques include using renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.

Question 21

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

Answer 21

False

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

Question 22

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

Answer 22

[porous rocks]

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

Question 23

How can the methane produced by cattle be decreased?

Answer 23

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

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

Question 24

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

Answer 24

By putting a cap on emissions produced by companies

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

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Based on their carbon footprint ## Footnote This taxation approach incentivizes lower emissions.

Question 26

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

Answer 26

* Getting the raw material * Manufacturing and packaging * Using the product * Disposal ## Footnote Each stage has environmental impacts that need assessment and transport and distribution at each stage.

Question 27

What inputs need to be quantified in an LCA?

Answer 27

* Water * Resources * Energy sources ## Footnote These inputs are vital for assessing the overall environmental impact.

Question 28

What outputs need to be quantified in an LCA?

Answer 28

* Wastes * Pollutant effects ## Footnote Understanding outputs helps evaluate the ecological footprint of a product.

Question 29

What raw material is used for plastic bags?

Answer 29

Crude oil ## Footnote This highlights the fossil fuel dependence of plastic products.

Question 30

What raw material is used for paper bags?

Answer 30

Timber ## Footnote This emphasizes the renewable resource aspect of paper products.

Question 31

What is a key environmental impact of manufacturing plastic bags?

Answer 31

Extraction of compounds from crude oil through fractional distillation, followed by cracking and polymerisation ## Footnote This process is energy-intensive and involves significant resource extraction.

Question 32

What is a disadvantage of using plastic bags regarding disposal?

Answer 32

They are recyclable but not biodegradable and can pollute land ## Footnote This indicates long-term environmental concerns associated with plastic waste.

Question 33

What is an advantage of using paper bags regarding disposal?

Answer 33

Biodegradable, non-toxic, and can be recycled ## Footnote This makes paper bags more environmentally friendly in terms of waste management.

Question 34

What is a crucial aspect of writing an effective LCA?

Answer 34

To compare the two objects rather than just state the facts ## Footnote This comparison is essential for understanding relative environmental impacts.

Question 35

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

Answer 35

* Reduces use of energy sources * Reduces waste * Minimizes incremental impacts ## Footnote These benefits are crucial for sustainable resource management.

Question 36

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

Answer 36

Metals, glass, building materials, clay ceramics, plastics ## Footnote These materials rely on finite resources for their production.

Question 37

What is a significant environmental impact of obtaining raw materials?

Answer 37

Quarrying and mining can cause environmental impacts ## Footnote These activities disrupt ecosystems and can lead to pollution.

Question 38

What can glass bottles be done with after use?

Answer 38

They can be reused or crushed and melted to make different glass products ## Footnote This process contributes to material conservation.

Question 39

What happens to products that cannot be reused?

Answer 39

They are recycled for a different use ## Footnote Examples include metals and plastics.

Question 40

How can metals be recycled?

Answer 40

By melting, recasting, and reforming into different products ## Footnote This process significantly reduces the need for raw material extraction.

Question 41

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

Answer 41

The material and the properties required of the final product ## Footnote Different materials have varying recycling processes.

Question 42

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.

Answer 42

reduce ## Footnote This practice helps in conserving resources.