Pollutans From Fuels

Question 1

What is meant by a fuel ?

Answer 1

Fuels release energy when they are combusted/ burned

That so the definition of what is meant by a fuel

Question 2

What are two good examples of fuels ?

Answer 2

Coal and hydrocarbons

Question 3

What is coal used for ?

Answer 3

Often used to generate electricity in power stations

Question 4

What are hydrocarbons used for ?

Answer 4

Fuels such as petrol and diesel that are used to power cars

Question 5

What do most fuels contain ?

Answer 5

Carbon and hydrogen

Question 6

Because most fuels contain two specific element (name them) what does this mean when they are burned ?

Answer 6

Since most fuels contain carbon and hydrogen
When they are burned the carbon and hydrogen atoms react with oxygen in the air meaning they are oxidized

Question 7

What is the formula for the combustion of the hydrocarbon methane ?

Answer 7

CH4 + 2O2 ——> CO2 + 2H2O

Question 8

What happens to the carbon atom in the methane when combusted. ?
What had happened to the hydrogen atoms ?

Answer 8

It is oxidized to from the gas carbon dioxide
Oxidized to from the water vapor
This is complete combustion as both Oxygen and water are the products

Question 9

What do we need for complete combustion to happen ?

Answer 9

Plenty of oxygen

Question 10

What happens if there is not enough oxygen and the combustion is incomplete ?

Answer 10

Carbon monoxide is produced which is toxic, colorless and odorless

Question 11

What do some fuels such as coal contain ? When it’s burned what happens

Answer 11

The element sulfur

When burned the sulfur atoms are oxidized and form sulfur dioxide

Question 12

What is the equation for the creation of sulfur dioxide ?

Answer 12

O2 + S —-> SO2

Question 13

How are oxides of nitrogen produced ?

Answer 13

Inside engines for example cars

Where high temperatures cause nitrogen and oxygen from the air to react

This produces a range of different molecules

Question 14

What is the equation for the creation of nitrogen oxides ?

Answer 14

N2 + O2 —-> NOx

X: because the amount of oxygen can vary due to nitrogen oxides being a general term

Question 15

What can both sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause ? 2 points

Answer 15

1. Breathing problems for humans (1)
2. Also dissolved in rain water to from acid rain which can damage trees and corrode buildings made of limestone (2)

Question 16

What is produced when diesel is burnt ?

Answer 16

Particles of carbon (soot) and unburned hydrocarbons
This is called particulates

Question 17

What can particulates do ?

Answer 17

Damage human health as they increase the risk of heart and lung disease

Reduce the amount of energy from the sun that reaches earth surfaces ( global dimming) which can affect rainfall patterns