Module 7: Reducing Carbon Emissions with Chemistry

Question 1

why is our planet in a crisis

Answer 1

• excessive carbon dioxide emissions

Question 2

the carbon cycle: equilbrium

Answer 2

• equilibrium between carbon dioxide in air and carbonic acid in ocean

Question 3

the carbon cycle: how is the equilibrium being changed (2)

Answer 3

• increase in CO2 in atmosphere is pushing the equilibrium to have the ocean retain more carbonic acid
• has led to ocean acidification, coral reef bleaching, etc

Question 4

the greenhouse effect

Answer 4

• the way in which heat is trapped close to Earth’s surface by “greenhouse gasses”

Question 5

the greenhouse effect: good or bad? (2)

Answer 5

• we need some of the greenhouse effect to keep earth warm and habitable
• too much greenhouse effect can have negative impacts on earth

Question 6

why does society have such a dependence on fossil fuels

Answer 6

• it is integrated into almost every aspect of life

Question 7

petroleum products: production to product (3)

Answer 7

1. crude oil production and transport
2. refining and upgrading
3. fuels and petrochemicals for products

Question 8

what is petroleum used for (2)

Answer 8

• fuel distribution
• petrochemical plants

Question 9

what types of fuel are distributed (3)

Answer 9

• gasoline
• diesel
• jet fuel

Question 10

what products are made using petrochemicals plants (3)

Answer 10

• cosmetics
• textiles
• plastics

Question 11

fuel

Answer 11

• different forms of matter with stored energy

Question 12

where does the stored energy in fuel come from

Answer 12

• sun/solar radiation

Question 13

combustion reaction

Answer 13

fuel + oxygen –> CO2 + water

Question 14

combustion byproducts (2)

Answer 14

• carbon dioxide
• water

Question 15

describe the energy at the top of a hill (2)

Answer 15

• most potential energy
• least kinetic energy

Question 16

describe the energy at the bottom of a hill (2)

Answer 16

• least potential energy
• most kinetic energy

Question 17

how does energy change as a ball rolls down a hill

Answer 17

• potential energy (height) translated into kinetic energy (movement)

Question 18

chemical energy of molecules (2)

Answer 18

• higher energy molecules have more potential energy/stored energy
• lower energy molecules (CO2) have less potential energy and more kinetic energy

Question 19

list some molecules considered as fuel (4)

Answer 19

• octane
• ethanol
• glucose
• carbon monoxide

Question 20

what occurs during combustion (burning) of fuels (2)

Answer 20

• release of energy
• production of CO2

Question 21

what areas should we focus on regarding carbon emissions in decreasing order (6)

Answer 21

• transportation
• electricity generation
• industry
• agriculture
• commercial
• residential

Question 22

what can we do to decrease how much CO2 ends up in our atmosphere (4)

Answer 22

• what we eat
• how we travel
• “decarbonization” tech
• CO2 capture

Question 23

decrease atmospheric CO2: diet (2)

Answer 23

• consume low impact foods, generally fewer animal products
• consumer lower impact versions of food, generally sourced locally

Question 24

decrease atmospheric CO2: travel (3)

Answer 24

• take fewer flights
• use no-car alternatives for travel when possible; bike, walk, etc
• car-pool/take transit

Question 25

decrease atmospheric CO2: “decarbonization” tech

Answer 25

• electric vehicles
• hydrogen fuel cells
• bio-products

Question 26

what are the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells (2)

Answer 26

• require use of materials that require mining
• environmental damage concerns related to mining as well

Question 27

decrease atmospheric CO2: CO2 capture (2)

Answer 27

• point source capture
• direct air capture

Question 28

point source capture (2)

Answer 28

• use of metal-organic framework sorbent that is basic and porous
• selectively captures carbon from flue gas due to chemical differentiation with bases

Question 29

flue gas

Answer 29

• mixture of CO2, oxygen, nitrogen and other contaminant gasses

Question 30

direct air capture methods (2)

Answer 30

• ambient air is bubbled through an extremely basic solution to capture the carbon
• dilute carbon is taken out of the air and concentrated into pure CO2

Question 31

what are the disadvantages of carbon capture (3)

Answer 31

• energy inefficient; counterintuitive
• low practicalities
• currently have very minuscule effects

Question 32

what is required to turn pure CO2 into useful chemicals (2)

Answer 32

• requires breaking C–O bonds and making new bonds
• challenging because CO2 is very STABLE

Question 33

natural photosynthesis (4)

Answer 33

CO2 + water + sun –> glucose + oxygen
- stores energy from sun in chemical bonds of glucose
- reverse of combustion reaction
- provides blueprint for chemists to replicate in artificial systems

Question 34

artificial photosynthesis concept

Answer 34

• use of intermittent/localized renewable energy source to intake carbon dioxide and create reduced carbon forms (fuels)

Question 35

renewable energy sources (3)

Answer 35

• windmills
• solar panels
• hydro dams

Question 36

what is required for artificial photosynthesis

Answer 36

• a catalyst
• must be cheap, abundant, stable, etc