Environmental Problems Flashcards
What burns huge amounts of fossil fuels to make electricity?
Power Stations
What do most fuels such as crude oil and coal contain?
Carbon and Hydrogen
What is it called when fuels are burnt?
Combustion
What happens during combustion?
The carbon and hydrogen are oxidised to carbon dioxide and water vapour. Heat is also produced.
What is complete combustion?
When there is plenty of oxygen so all the fuel burns
What is partial combustion?
When there isn’t enough oxygen so the fuel doesn’t burn completely
What does partial combustion release?
Solid particles called particulates of carbon(soot)
Unburnt fuel and carbon monoxide
Sulfur Dioxide is a gas that causes…
acid rain
When sulfur dioxide mixes with clouds it forms…
dilute sulfuric acid which then falls as acid rain
What are the damages caused by acid rain?
It causes lakes to become acidic which means many plants and animals die.
It kills trees and damages limestone buildings and ruins stone statues.
How can we reduce acid rain?
By reducing sulfur emissions
- Most of sulfur can be removed from fuels before they are burnt
- Petrol and Diesel are starting to be replaced by low-sulfur versions
- Power stations have acid gas scrubbers to take sulfur dioxide out of waste gases before they are released into the atmosphere
