Topics 3,4,5 - Acids, Metals & Fuels: Environmental Problems

Question 1

How can human activity affect the Earth’s temperature?

Answer 1

Human activity increases the amount of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These gases absorb heat from the sun and keep the Earth warm. Adding more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere means that the Earth gets warmer.

Question 2

How can burning hydrocarbon fuels cause acid rain?

Answer 2

If there are sulfur impurities in the fuel, sulfur dioxide will form when the fuel burns. When sulfur dioxide mixes with clouds, acid rain can form.

Question 3

Give some ways that scientists are proposing to control the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Answer 3

E.g. iron seeding of oceans, and converting carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons.

Question 4

Give some problems that acid rain can cause.

Answer 4

E.g. acid rain can make lakes acidic, which can kill plants and animals. It can also kill trees and damage buildings and statues (weathering).