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What are the two main gases in the atmosphere?
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What are the two main gases in the atmosphere?
The two main gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen (about four-fifths) and oxygen (about one-fifth).
What are air pollutants?
Air pollutants are gases present in the atmosphere due to human activities that are not naturally present in significant quantities.
What is a major source of carbon dioxide pollution?
A major source of carbon dioxide pollution is the complete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as fossil fuels.
True or False?
Carbon monoxide is produced by complete combustion of fossil fuels.
False.
Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.
What are particulates?
Particulates are small particles of carbon (soot) produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.
State two sources of methane pollution.
Two sources of methane pollution are waste gases from digestive processes of animals and decomposition of vegetation.
How are oxides of nitrogen formed?
Oxides of nitrogen are formed by the reaction of nitrogen with oxygen in the presence of very high temperatures, such as in car engines or during lightning.
What is the main source of sulfur dioxide pollution?
The main source of sulfur dioxide pollution is power stations burning fossil fuels containing sulfur compounds.
What is acid rain?
Acid rain is rainwater that has become acidic due to dissolved pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide.
True or False?
The composition of gases in the atmosphere has changed significantly in the last 200 million years.
False.
The present composition of gases in the atmosphere has not changed significantly in 200 million years.
State the equation for the combustion of sulfur to form sulfur dioxide.
The equation to form sulfur dioxide from sulfur is:
S + O2 → SO2
Define the greenhouse effect. (Extended Tier Only)
The greenhouse effect is the process where greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-emit thermal energy, trapping heat within the Earth's atmosphere.
What are two main greenhouse gases? (Extended Tier Only)
Two main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide and methane.
True or False?
The greenhouse effect is entirely harmful to Earth. (Extended Tier Only)
False.
The natural greenhouse effect keeps the Earth warm, but the enhanced greenhouse effect due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations causes global warming.
What is global warming? (Extended Tier Only)
Global warming is the rise in Earth's average temperature due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
State two consequences of global warming. (Extended Tier Only)
Consequences of global warming include:
Climate change
Water levels will rise
Extinction of species
Migration of species
Spread of diseases
Loss of habitat
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect? (Extended Tier Only)
The enhanced greenhouse effect is the process where increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap more thermal energy, causing the Earth's average temperature to rise.
How does the greenhouse effect work? (Extended Tier Only)
The greenhouse effect works by greenhouse gases absorbing thermal energy emitted from Earth's surface and re-emitting it in all directions, reducing the amount of heat lost to space.
True or False?
All thermal energy from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth's surface. (Extended Tier Only)
False.
Some thermal energy from the Sun is reflected from the Earth's surface.
What is climate change? (Extended Tier Only)
Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns due to global warming.
How can global warming lead to the spread of diseases? (Extended Tier Only)
Global warming can lead to the spread of diseases by creating warmer climates that are more suitable for disease-carrying organisms to survive and spread.
State two strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Two strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are:
Being more ‘responsible consumers’ of energy
Reducing deforestation and / or re-forestation
What is flue gas desulfurisation?
Flue gas desulfurisation is a process used to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by spraying waste gases from power stations with a slurry of calcium compounds.
True or False?
Catalytic converters in vehicles are used to remove sulfur dioxide.
False.
Catalytic converters in vehicles are used to remove oxides of nitrogen.
What is the main way to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions?
The main way to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions is through flue gas desulfurisation.
What is a catalytic converter?
A catalytic converter is a device fitted in car exhaust systems that contains transition metal catalysts to render pollutant gases harmless.
Describe the two reactions that occur in a catalytic converter.
Two reactions that occur in a catalytic converter are the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and the reduction of oxides of nitrogen to nitrogen gas.
True or False?
Platinum and rhodium are examples of catalysts used in catalytic converters.
True.
Platinum and rhodium are examples of catalysts used in catalytic converters.
What is the purpose of the honeycomb structure in catalytic converters?
The purpose of the honeycomb structure in catalytic converters is to increase the surface area available for reaction.
State the equation for the reaction of nitrogen monoxide and carbon monoxide in a catalytic converter. (Extended Tier Only)
The equation for the reaction of nitrogen monoxide and carbon monoxide in a catalytic converter is: 2NO + 2CO → N2 + 2CO2
Define photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction where carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen using energy from light and chlorophyll.
What are the reactants in photosynthesis?
The reactants in photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water.
What are the products of photosynthesis?
The products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen.
True or False?
Photosynthesis is an exothermic reaction.
False.
Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction.
Where is chlorophyll found in plants?
Chlorophyll is found in chloroplasts in plants.
State the symbol equation for photosynthesis. (Extended Tier Only)
The balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
State the word equation for photosynthesis.
The word equation for photosynthesis is:
carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
What is the role of light in photosynthesis?
Light provides the energy required for the photosynthesis reaction to occur.
True or False?
Chlorophyll is not necessary for photosynthesis.
False.
Chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis to occur.
What type of reaction is photosynthesis in terms of energy?
Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction, meaning it takes in energy from the environment.