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Environmental Chemistry > Section 1 > Flashcards

Section 1 Flashcards

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0
Q

Define Energy.

A

The capacity or ability to do work.

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1
Q

Define Matter.

A

Something that cannot be created nor destroyed and occupies space.

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2
Q

Define Isothermal.

A

Reaction where the temperature does not change due to taking place in a reservoir.

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3
Q

Define an open system.

A

A system in which energy and matter can travel in an out freely.

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4
Q

Define Closed system

A

A system in which energy can move in a out freely but matter is restricted.

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5
Q

Define isolated system.

A

A system in which energy and matter cannot pass freely in and out.

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6
Q

Define surroundings.

A

Everything outside of the system.

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7
Q

Define reservoir.

A

Environment of a system that will not hon age by any addition do to the vastness of it.

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8
Q

Define kinetic energy.

A

Physical energy transferred from motion.

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9
Q

Define potential energy

A

The merge stored within the bonds.

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10
Q

Does the bulk phase refer to kinetic or potential energy?

A

Kinetic energy.

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11
Q

Does chemical/internal energy refer to kinetic or potential energy?

A

Potential Energy

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12
Q

Define heat.

A

Energy that can be stopped by an insulator.

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13
Q

Define work.

A

Energy that cannot be stopped by an insulator.

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14
Q

Explain an state function.

A

A value that can be looked up. The end result is the only thing that matters.

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15
Q

Explain a path function.

A

Works step by step toward the end result. Requires calculations.

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16
Q

Explain Enthalpy

A

A thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the total heat content of a system. It is equal to the internal energy of the system plus the product of pressure and volume.

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17
Q

Define Adiabatic.

A

A change where q equals 0 and can be forced by an insulator.

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18
Q

Explain exothermic.

A

An exterior release of thermal energy.

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19
Q

Explain endothermic.

A

Takes energy from the surroundings for the reaction to occur.

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20
Q

Define Gibbs Free Energy.

A

Predicts whether a process will occur spontaneously.

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21
Q

What is the equation for obtaining Wmax for explosive processes?

A

Wmax = DeltaH x (1-(Tcold/Thot)

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22
Q

What is the equation to find Wmax from a non reactive system?

A

Wmax = Delta G

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23
Q

What are the wavelengths limits for the thermal IR range?

A

5-50um

24
Q

Explain the difference between the sun’s emissions spectrum and the earth’s emission spectrum.

A

Sun has shorter wavelengths which are hotter and emit more energy. The earths wavelengths are longer and provide less energy.

Peak wavelength = 2897/T

25
Q

What is fixed carbon?

A

CO2 that is utilized and stored in plants by photosynthesis

26
Q

Compared to a CO2 molecule, what is the effect of each sulphur hexafluoride molecule.

A

Approximately 24000 times

27
Q

Compared to a CO2 molecule, what is the effect of each CFC molecule?

A

Approximately 12500 times.

28
Q

Compared to a CO2 molecule, what is the effect of each molecule of nitrous oxide?

A

Approximately 200 times for the short term and 320 for the long term.

29
Q

What do we know about the net effect of high clouds on global warming?

A

High clouds have a net warming effect.

30
Q

What do we know about the net effect of low clouds on global warming?

A

Low clouds have a net cooling effect

31
Q

Give the wavelength range for the atmospheric window.

A

8-13 um

32
Q

What is the life time of an aerosol particle

A

Depends on rainfall. Typically lasting a couple of weeks.

33
Q

Which areas of the globe are experiencing the greatest increase in temperature?

A

The Arctic and Antarctic poles suffer the greatest temperature increase.

34
Q

Do we know yet if the formation of clouds works as a positive feedback process for global warming?

A

No, this has not yet been confirmed.

35
Q

Give two ways of raising the temperature of an ideal gas.

A
  1. Heating the ideal gas.

2. Increasing the pressure of an ideal gas.

36
Q

Which measurable quantity changes when the K.E. Of molecules increases?

A

Temperature.

37
Q

List the molecules that result in the greenhouse effect.

A

H2O, CO2, CH4, O3, N2O

38
Q

List the gases that result in the enhanced greenhouse effect.

A

H2O, CO2, CH4, O3, N2O, CFCs (HCFCs), SF6

39
Q

List the three modes of vibration possible with molecules.

A
  1. Symmetrical Stretching
  2. Anti-symmetric stretching
  3. Angle bending
40
Q

What are the wavelengths and vibrations that occur at these wavelengths for CO2?

A

Angle bending -14.0um

Anti symmetric stretching - 4.2um

41
Q

What is the average release of CO2 per person in industrial countries?

A

5 tonnes per year.

42
Q

What are the three main sources of CO2 production?

A
  1. Fossil fuel combustion/cement production
  2. Forests decomposition
  3. Oceans
43
Q

What is a negative feedback?

A

Good thing, net cooling effect.

44
Q

What is a positive feedback?

A

Bad thing, net warming effect.

45
Q

What are the main sources and sinks of SF6 in the atmosphere?

A

Source - gas used as an insulator.

Sink - photo decomposition in the stratosphere when introduced to UV.

46
Q

What are the permanent and temporary sinks for CO2?

A

Permanent - Deep oceans

Temporary - Shallow oceans, plants

47
Q

Describe the two fold nature of the atmospheric life time of carbon dioxide.

A

The length the carbon dioxide takes to be permanently deposited out of the atmosphere compared to how much is being released.

48
Q

Define carbon dioxide fertilization, and describe its effect.

A

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is absorbed by plants allowing them to grow faster. Plants absorb more than they release.

49
Q

Describe the important sinks for methane in the atmosphere, and give the average lifetime for a methane molecule in the atmosphere.

A

Sinks in the atmosphere for methane are free radical hydroxide. Average lifetime of methane in the atmosphere is one decade.

50
Q

What are the six important sources for methane?

A

Wetlands, ruminant animals, melted permafrost, landfills, natural gas, clatherates in ocean depths.

51
Q

List the sources and sinks for atmospheric nitrous oxide.

A

Sources - tropical soils, oceans, fertilization, landfills, nylon production, new grasslands.
Sinks - photo degrading the the stratosphere

52
Q

Is water vapour in the atmosphere a positive or negative feedback?

A

Positive. The water vapour in the atmosphere causes the earth to heat up producing more water vapour.

53
Q

In the formula Tavg=Css/R what does each variable mean?

A

Tavg - Average residence time of a gas in the atmosphere.
Css - Steady state of concentration of the gas in the atmosphere.
R - Rate of release of the gas into the atmosphere.

55
Q

What are the sinks of N2O in the atmosphere?

A

Stratosphere - UV causes photochemistry degrading.

56
Q

What are the main issues with CFCs and HCFCs in the atmosphere?

A
  • very stable
  • absorb directly in the atmospheric window (8 - 14um)
  • each molecule is 10000 times as effective as CO2
57
Q

What are the sources and sinks for CFCs/HCFCs in the atmosphere?

A

Sources - Anthroprogenic

Sinks - Stratospheric absorption of UV.

58
Q

What are the relative percentages of GHGs?

A 
40% oceans
60% due to other gases
 - CO2 60%
 - CH4 20%
 - N2O 6%
 - CFCs 3%
 - O3 10%
59
Q

What are the sources of N2O in the atmosphere?

A 
Tropical soils
Oceans
Fertilizers
Landfills
Nylon production
New grasslands

Environmental Chemistry (1 decks)

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