module eight - revision deck Flashcards
environmental monitoring
the process of observing environments, often with analytical and scientific techniques that track changes to an environment
monitoring of ozone layer
ozone converts UV rays into heat, which is important as UV is hazardous to our skin and can cause cancer. ozone molecules contain three oxygen atoms and are an allotrope of carbon
damaged by the use of chlorofluorocarbons (production of deodorants and refrigerants). damage was realised by chemically analysing the structure of CFCs, particularly the carbon chlorine bonds which can break to release carbons atoms which then react with ozone
Cl + O3 –> ClO + O2
monitoring heavy metals in water and soil
poisonous if consumed
scientists regularly test water sources and soil samples to check for dangerous levels of chemicals or heavy metals
govt. can restrict access to certain areas or water to prevent heavy metal poisoning
particularly important since many children play in the soil in playgrounds and lead poisoning can impact the development of a child’s brain and potentially lead to ongoing intellectual difficulties
why flame tests work
the electrons in the sample absorb heat energy which excites them, so they jump to a higher energy level. When they fall back to their ground state, they emit energy in the form of light, and the colour of the light depends on the metal ion present
barium flame test colour
green
calcium flame test colour
red
magnesium flame test colour
bright white
copper 2 flame test colour
blue/green
iron 2 flame test colour
gold
iron 3 flame test colour
gold
potassium flame test colour
lilac
sodium flame test colour
yellow
lithium flame test colour
red
strontium flame test colour
red
limitations of flame tests
cannot detect all metals as some don’t produce colours and others are unsafe to test
can be difficult to distinguish between similar coloured flames