Pollutants

Question 1

Gases in the Early atmosphere: (4)

Answer 1

carbon dioxide
methane
ammonia
water vapur

Question 2

Gases in the atmosphere today: (8)

Answer 2

oxygen (21%)
carbon dioxide (2%)
nitrogen (78%)
hydrogen
radon/argon
methane
water vapour
helium

Question 3

Process that changed the Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 3

1. In the Early atmosphere there was mostly CO2 because of the INTENSE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY.
2. CO2 levels gradually decreased due to PHOTOSYNTHESIS
3. CO2 DISSOLVED into the sea causing it to be locked up in fossil
4. PHOTOSYNTHESIS cause O2 levels to increase
5. Nitrogen increased because it was released by volcanic activity and was unreactive. Ammonia was also converted to nitrogen.
6. Water vapor decreased because it condensed into oceans when the Earth cooled

Question 4

What are the greenhouse gases?

Answer 4

Water Vapor
CO2
methane

Question 5

How is limestone formed?

Answer 5

Marine life dies, sinks and becomes compressed at the bottem of the oceans. Sedimentary rocks form

Question 6

How are fossils formed?

Answer 6

Dead plants and animals decay under swaps. Carbon atoms from dead organisms were locked up

Question 7

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 7

1. Short wavelengths of light from the sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere
2. Radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s surface, then re-emitted when the Earth cools, at a longer wavelength
3. Some of the Earth’s radiation escapes into space and some is absorbed by greenhouse gases
4. This means that the heat cannot escape and leads to global warming
5. The greater the proportions of greenhouse gases, the greater the effect on global warming

Question 8

What is complete combustion?

Answer 8

Takes place in the presence of a sufficient amount of oxygen

Question 9

What is incomplete combustion?

Answer 9

Takes place when there is an insufficient amount of O2 supply

Question 10

Name 6 pollutant gases:

Answer 10

Particulates
Carbon monoxide
Carbon dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Water vapor

Question 11

1. How are particulates formed?

2. What are the effects they have on the environment and on health?

Answer 11

1. Incomplete combustion of fuels
2. Travel into atmosphere, reflect sun’s light radiation back into space and causes global dimming
   Damages cells in our lungs and can cause cancer (Irritating to lungs)

Question 12

1. How is carbon monoxide formed?

2. What are the effects it has on the environment and on health?

Answer 12

1. Incomplete combustion of fuels
2. Increases global warming potential
   Carbon monoxide is picked up by your hemoglobin and takes up the O2’s space in the RBC. Insufficient O2 is carried around the body.

Question 13

1. How is carbon dioxide formed?

2. What are the effects it has on the environment and on health?

Answer 13

1. Complete combustion of fuels
2. It’s a greenhouse gase
   No effect on health

Question 14

1. How is sulfur dioxide formed?

2. What are the effects it has on the environment and on health?

Answer 14

1. Sulfure impurites in fossil fuels
   2.
   Causes acid rain - dissolves into rain water and damages trees and buildings
   Irritates skin, eyes, throat, nose and lungs

Question 15

1. How is nitrogen dioxide formed?

2. What are the effects it has on the environment and on health?

Answer 15

1. Heat of the combustion engine, nitrogen and O2 react from air
2. Smog, acid rain
   Toxic and can trigger asthma/respiratory problems

Question 16

1. How is water vapor formed?

2. What are the effects it has on the environment and on health?

Answer 16

1. Complete combustion of fuels
2. Greenhouse gas
   No effect on health

Question 17

How is coal formed?

Answer 17

Formed from dead trees and other plants

Question 18

Impacts of global warming: (5)

Answer 18

• Sea levels rise
• Ice caps melting
• Habitats lost
• Changing seasonal patterns
• More natural disasters