F322 - Resources Flashcards
What is the greenhouse effect?
Natural phenomenon by which some gases present in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation and then re-emit some of this back to the Earth’s surface.
What is a greenhouse gas and what are some examples of greenhouse gases?
A gas which absorbs infrared radiation and re-emits some of it to the atmosphere. For example: water, carbon dioxide and methane.
What does the greenhouse effect of a gas depend on?
Its atmospheric concentration and it’s ability to absorb infrared radiation.
What is global warming?
The increase in average temperature of the Earth’s surface causes by an enhanced greenhouse effect due to increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
What are the ways the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere is being controlled?
Using energy sources that do not involve combustion of fossil fuels (e.g. renewable resources), conserving energy, capture and storage of carbon dioxide.
What are some of the methods of capturing and storing carbon dioxide?
Turning it into a liquid and injecting it deep in the oceans, storage in deep geological formations, or by reacting it with metal oxides to form stable carbonates.
What is used to form and breakdown ozone in the stratosphere?
Ultraviolet radiation
What speeds up the breakdown of ozone molecules in the stratosphere?
Chlorine radicals and nitrogen monoxide radicals from CFC’s or nitrogen oxides from thunderstorms and aircrafts.
What are the harmful gases produced by internal combustion engines?
Carbon monoxide, nitrogen(II) oxide, and unburnt hydrocarbons.
How are the harmful gases in car exhaust removed?
Catalytic converters
What damage do pollutants in at exhaust lead to?
Formation of low-level ozone and photochemical smog.
How does a catalytic converter work?
- adsorption of reactants
- chemical reaction where reactant bonds weaken
- desorption of products
What are the disadvantages of using biodiesel?
Use grain crops and land needed for food, poorer countries are affected the worst.
What are benefits of chemical sustainability?
- processes with higher atom economy to reduce waste products
- use renewable resources instead of finite resources
- ensure waste products are non-toxic and can be recycled or biodegraded
Why is it important to have international cooperation to promote the reduction of pollution levels?
Pollution is produced globally and is not static so can affect countries which have a low production. Making a small change will not have a big impact globally.
