Air Quality & Climate (CIE IGCSE Chemistry: Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award))

Exam Questions

3 hours31 questions
11 mark

Clean air contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and some noble gases. Which row correctly states the percentages of each gas present in clean, unpolluted air?

 

% O2 

% N2 

% CO2 & noble gases 

A

20

78

2

B

21

78

1

C

19

79

2

D

20

79

1

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    21 mark

    Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide are all air pollutants. Which row correctly describes the major source of each pollutant?

     

    NO2 

    SO2 

    CO

    A

    car engines

    power stations

    respiration

    B

    power stations

    car engines

    car engines

    C

    respiration

    power stations

    car engines

    D

    car engines

    power stations

    car engines

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      31 mark

      Human activities are contributing to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

      Which two human activities contribute to the release of methane?

      • Deforestation and cattle farming

      • Burning fossil fuels and deforestation 

      • Cattle farming and sending rubbish to landfill

      • Sending rubbish to landfill and deforestation

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      41 mark

      Human activities increase the level of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

      Which row correctly shows the effect of each of these gases in our atmosphere?

        Oxides of nitrogen Sulfur dioxide Carbon dioxide
      A global warming respiratory problems photochemical smog
      B acid rain photochemical smog respiratory problems
      C photochemical smog acid rain global warming
      D respiratory problems global warming acid rain

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        11 mark

        Extended tier only

        Four chemical processes are described below. Which reactions contribute to global warming?

        1 Reacting hydrochloric acid with magnesium carbonate.
        2 The complete combustion of propane.
        3 Heating calcium carbonate.
        4 Reacting sodium hydroxide with magnesium carbonate.
        • 1, 2 & 3

        • 1 & 4

        • 1, 3 & 4

        • All 4

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        21 mark

        Extended tier only

        Petrol engines produce pollutants as a by-product of internal combustion. Catalytic converters are fitted to cars to reduce the level of pollution they produce in their exhaust gases.

        Which statement about this process is not correct?

        • Nitrogen and oxygen react to produce nitrogen dioxide.

        • Carbon monoxide undergoes oxidation in the catalytic converter.

        • Carbon monoxide is formed when petrol undergoes complete combustion.

        • Nitrogen monoxide undergoes reduction in the catalytic converter.

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        31 mark

        Which row correctly shows two ways of reducing the formation of acid rain?

        A Use a catalytic convertor Reduce the amount of livestock farming
        B Plant more trees Use fuels containing low levels of sulfur
        C Use fuels containing low levels of sulfur Use a catalytic convertor
        D Reduce the amount of livestock farming Plant more trees

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          41 mark

          The table below shows the composition of the atmosphere found on a new planet. 

          gas percentage by volume
          nitrogen 74
          carbon dioxide 4
          oxygen 22

          Which gases are present in the atmosphere of the planet in a lower percentage than they are in the Earth's atmosphere? 

          • oxygen and carbon dioxide

          • nitrogen and oxygen

          • nitrogen only

          • carbon dioxide only

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          51 mark

          Which strategy for reducing the effect of environmental issues would not help reduce climate change?

          • Reduce the amount of livestock farming

          • Plant more trees

          • Fit catalytic convertors on vehicles

          • Use renewable energy resources 

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          11 mark

          Extended tier only 

          Internal combustion engines produce oxides of nitrogen which are pollutants. Which statement about oxides of nitrogen is correct?

          • Oxides of nitrogen are formed by the reaction of fuel with nitrogen.

          • Oxides of nitrogen are formed by the reaction of exhaust gases with air.

          • Catalytic converters remove oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts by oxidation.

          • Catalytic converters remove oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts by reduction.

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          21 mark

          Oxides, XO and YO2 are released into the air from power stations and car exhausts. 

          What are X and Y?

            X Y
          A carbon and nitrogen carbon and nitrogen only
          B carbon and nitrogen carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur 
          C carbon only sulfur only
          D carbon only sulfur and nitrogen only

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            31 mark

            Flue gas desulfurisation uses calcium oxide to reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide.

            Which statements are correct?

            1 Sulfur dioxide is a basic oxide
            2 Sulfur dioxide is responsible for the production of acid rain 
            3 Calcium oxide reacts with acids
            4 Sulfur dioxide emissions can also be reduced by using low sulfur fuels

            • 1, 2 and 3 

            • 1 and 2 only

            • 1, 3 and 4

            • 2, 3 and 4

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            41 mark

            Extended tier only

            Which of the following equations would not occur inside a catalytic converter?

            • 2NO → N2 + O2

            • N2 + 2CO2 → 2NO + 2CO

            • 2NO2 → N2 + 2O2

            • 2CO + O2 → 2CO2

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