Environmental Problems

Question 1

Why do we burn fossil fuels?

Answer 1

To release the energy stored inside them.

Question 2

What % of crude oil is used as fuel?

Answer 2

90%.

Question 3

What do burning fossil fuels release?

Answer 3

Gases and particles.

Question 4

Power stations burn what?

Answer 4

Huge amounts of fossil fuels to make electricity.

Question 5

What is also another major culprit in burning fossil fuels?

Answer 5

Cars.

Question 6

Most fuels such as crude oil and coal contain what?

Answer 6

Carbon and hydrogen.

Question 7

What happens during combustion?

Answer 7

The carbon and hydrogen are oxidised so that carbon dioxide and water vapour are released into the atmosphere.
Energy (heat) is also produced.

Question 8

What happens if the fuel contains sulphur impurities?

Answer 8

The sulphur will be released as sulphur dioxide when the fuel is burnt.

Question 9

What will also form if the fuel is burned at high temperatures?

Answer 9

Oxides of nitrogen.

Question 10

What happens when there’s plenty of oxygen?

Answer 10

All the fuel burns.

This is called complete combustion.

Question 11

What happens when there’s not enough oxygen?

Answer 11

Some of the fuel doesn’t burn.

This is called partial combustion.

Question 12

What happens during partial combustion?

Answer 12

Solid particles of soot and unburnt fuel are released.

Carbon monoxide is also released.

Question 13

During partial combustion what are the solid particles called?

Answer 13

Particulates.

Question 14

What is the soot during partial combustion?

Answer 14

Carbon.

Question 15

What does sulphur dioxide?

Answer 15

Acid rain.

Question 16

What happens when sulphur dioxide mixes with clouds?

Answer 16

It forms dilute sulphuric acid.

This then falls as acid rain.

Question 17

Oxides of nitrogen cause acid rain by doing what?

Answer 17

Forming dilute nitric acid in clouds.

Question 18

How does acid rain affect the environment?

Answer 18

Causes lakes to become acidic.
Many plants and animals die as a result.
Kills trees.

Question 19

How does acid rain affect buildings?

Answer 19

If the building is limestone it will become damaged.

It also ruin statues.

Question 20

What links have been suggested about acid rain?

Answer 20

Whether humans have health problems.

Question 21

What has to be balanced?

Answer 21

The benefits of electricity and travel have to balance against the environmental impacts.

Question 22

How do you reduce acid rain?

Answer 22

By reducing sulphur emissions.

Question 23

What can happen before the fuels are burnt?

Answer 23

Most of the sulphur can be removed before fuels are burnt but it costs more and takes more energy.

Question 24

Removing sulphur from fuels takes a lot of energy where does this come from?

Answer 24

From burning more fuel which releases more of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

Question 25

What are petrol and diesel starting to be replaced by?

Answer 25

Low-sulphur versions.

Question 26

What do power stations use to take harmful gases out before they release their fumes into the atmosphere?

Answer 26

Acid Gas Scrubbers.

Question 27

What is the simple way of reducing acid rain?

Answer 27

Reduce the usage of fossil fuels.