Atmosphere e Learning Outcomes: air 0 of gases present in roast) and carbon dioxide tm (B) Air Pollution ts, €.g. carbon monoxide; meth :ommon atmospheric pollutant ; methane: ry, . rates (NO end O32); ozone; sulfur dioxide; unburnt hydrocarbons Nitroge., sate plete ‘com ig of these pollutants as (i) carbon monoxide from incom * Siveon-curmainig musstances: (i) nitrogen dae fron lightning activity and een combustion engines: (i) sulfur dioxide from volcanoes and combustion of fossil tus" + discuss some ofthe effects of these pollutants on health and on the environment eu, toxic nature of carbon monoxide, the role of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the formation of ‘acid rain’ and its effects on respiration and buildings (C) Reducing Air Pollution 9 from common + describe the reactions used in possible solutions to the problems arisin, atmospheric pollutants, e.g. the redox reactions in catalytic converters to remove combustion pollutants, the use of calcium carbonate to reduce the effect of ‘acid rain’ ang in flue gas desutfurisation (0) Global Warming and the Carbon Cycle + describe the carbon cycle in simple terms, to include respiration and photosynthesis; (ii) how the carbon cycl dioxide in the atmosphere * state that carbon dioxide and methane are warming, give the sources of these gases increase in global warming (E) Depletion of Ozone Layer * discuss the importance of the ozone layer and the Problems involved with the depletion of (i) the processes of combustion, le regulates the amount of carbon greenhouse gases and may contribute to global and discuss the possible consequences of an— me (a) AB 4, Composition of Air Airis a mixture consisting of e} Homents and com, composition by volume of ck 8 8nd CompOUNds. The table below shows the dry air Gc. _____ Gases Composition by volurne Nitrogen , N> 78% \ Oxygen, O» 21% | 1% Noble gases (mainly argon, Ar) (Argon - 0.93%) Carbon dioxide, CO2 Note: The composition of air varies with time and place. (e.g. the amount of water vapour in air can vary from almost 0% in a desert to about 5% in a tropical forest) on dioxide, oe ‘Water vapor, Other gases2. Fractional The components liquefied air. m below: This process is shown bel Gas water vapour ir istillation of Liquid A\ Dist can be easily Separated by physical meang fra HONE ca, | Bolling point /'C 100 —= | carbon dioxide | -78 (sublimes) ~ xenon 108 +——~eypton 153 oxygen | SSCS | Qooote eee|_| | ferpton | xenon | argon “186 \ | solid H,0 and co, 7 [- nitrogen -196 removed 7 i ——— a [Step 1 | Airis first cooled to freeze water vapour and carbon dioxide. | | | These two compounds are removed to prevent them from blocking the | | pipes when they solidify during the cooling and liquefaction of air, | | | | | Step 2 The remaining gases in air are then compressed to about 150 atmin | a compressor with huge pumps. | Step 3 / When the compressed air is then allowed to expand rapidly, it cools | hence liquefying the air. | Step 4 | The liquid air is then di Krypton and xenon Separate them, The other gases cor column depending o} stilled in a fractionating column. An electric heater is used to boil it. TI difference in boiling points, he gases are separated according to their Nitrogen has the lowest boiling point and it boils first and is collected at the top of the column, me out at the column at different heights of the Nn their boiling points, (other noble gases) must be further distilled to(B) AIR POLLUTION 1. Whatis Air Pollution? * Air pollution is a condition in which air contai living things. * Air pollution is caused by pollutants such a: dioxide, etc.) rel leased into the Earth's atmo: 2. Types of air pollutants 8S Solid particles (parti e. sphere. (Particulates, ©.g. soot) and harmful gases (carton monoxide, sulfur ~a colourless & | in odourless gas | moi (hence giving no fuels e.g. petrol and diesel warning of its | “refer to page E9 for more presence) information on incomplete combustion. combustion engines of tor vehicles. Air Pollutants Major Sources, Harmful Eff (a) Carbon Incomplete comb a | b wustion® | Normally, oxygen combines with haemoglobin in cals to form | monoxide of _carbon-containing | oxyhaemogiobin, a aan ‘oxygen + haemoglobin = oxyhaemoglobin The oxyhaemoglobin then moves through our bodies, releasing the oxygen to where it's needed, This process is reversible. In the presence of CO: Carbon monoxide binds with haemogl ‘oxygen gas. jobin in the blood more readily compared to le + haemoglobin -> carboxyhaemoglobin carbon mono: This process is irreversible. Health effect eee arbon monoxide prevents uptake of oxygen gas by the OFAN. a ag Fiance. carbon monoxide gas is a highly toxic gas 28 \t brain damage and death. > Carbon monoxide pollution = The catalytic converter oxi with catalytic converters. Carbon Monoxide Treatment or Prevention of ; hicles lution can be reduced by fitting Oe Into harmless carbon dioxide. idises the harmful carbon mon me\AirPottutants | Major Sources (b) Sulfur ‘* Combustion of Harmful Effects dioxide - a colourless and pungent gas fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum (crude oil) that contain sulfur as impurities. E.g. burning of coal in power stations. * Volcanic eruptions (Natural source) Health effect * causes eye irritations and breathing difficulties «high levels will lead to inflammation of the lungs (bronchitis) Environmental effect © gives rise t ., with pH of about 4nd below Note: Unpolluted rain water has a pH of 6.5 because carbon dioxide in air dissolvesin rain water to form carbonic acid. Equation: CO.(g) + HzO(!) = H-COs(aq) Formation of acid rain Step Sulfur (in coal / petroleum) burns in air (oxygen) to form sulfur dioxide. Equation: S(s) + O2(@) ~* $0-(9) i to form sulfurous acid, Sulfur dioxide in the air reacts with water to 1 Step 2: Shh is slowly oxidised in arto form sulfuric acid. Equations: $0,(g) + H20() > H:SO;(aq) 2H,80(aa) + O:(a) + 2480429) i ing with carbonates. Harmful effect of ac Er sings and marble statues reacting with ca 1) Corrodes limeston a Set ies uc + and Ca** from the soll needed 2) Corrodes metal struc metaton vatents such 28 K” and Ca" 1 es an hed away. “acidic rain and Was feny ont 1 ater axes ane tearsChemistry / Atmosphere 65 x Prevention / Treatment 1. Remove sulfur imy Purities from fossil fuels before they are burnt. However, this method is expensive and technologicall ly difficutt to accomplish, 2. Flue Gas Desulfurisation Treat acidic sulfur dioxide gas from the waste gases formed before they are released into the air - The waste gases known as flue gases are treated with a wet mixture of calcium carbonat - The acidic sulfur dioxide is removed in the following reaction: Equation: SO2(g) + CaCOa(s) — CaSO,(s) + COAG) = The calcium sulfite, CaSOs, is further oxidised to calcium sulfate, CaSOs. Equation: 2CaSO,(s) + O2(g) > 26aSO«{s) A flue gas desulfurisation plant Mainly carbon. Uioside and air purification chamber sulfur dioxide 6Air Pollutants | Major Sources T (c) Oxides of * Internal combustion | F 7 Nitrogen engines of motor Formationt nitrogen oxides Harmful Effects vehicles when ep 1 A high temperature, nitro ro NO, nitrogen and nitrogen monoxide nitric oxide)” ONS" SH OM meas 1 nitrogen ° jen fr ‘i ai monoxide / oxygen from air | Equation: Nea) + Ox) 2No | nitric oxide = 7 temperature. (colourless & 7 Step 2: The nite pungent gas) rogen monoxide reacts with more oxygen to become nitrogen dioxide. Occurs naturally | Equation: 2NO(g) + Oxg) ~ 2NOx(a) and NOz, from lightning nitrogen dioxide activity. During (brown & thunderstorms, the pungent gas) heat released by Health effect ‘Similar to sulfur dioxide Le ae bere Environmental effect These two nitrogen an Gives rise to acid rain oxides of ‘oxygen in the air to i react to form 7 pent eaecribed nitrogen oxides. Formation of acid rain Fitrogen dioxide reacts with ony9e" and the water vapourin the at form mE act. simply as NOx. Equation: 4NOx(a) + 0X9) -42H,0(0) + 4HNOSI@0) Harmful effect of acidrain Similar to sulfur dioxide Treatment and Preven’ i The production of NO x oA sree nitrogen are reduced (° ‘harmChemistry/ Atmosphere + Sulfur dioxide (SO; i 2) and nit land rir acelwwhdeh become oat Siowice (NO) are acidic oxides that reactwith oxygen and water vapaurin the ai to oar suf acs sulfur dioxi foxide + oxygen + water vapour sulfuric acid nitric acid nitrogen dioxide| |+ oxygen + water vapour acid rain atmosphere acidic oxides 0 times more acidic than pure water (pH 7). “canadle Rag air anawaterin «Typical pH of acid rain is 4 which is 100 BBCF (C) REDUCING AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY MOTOR VEHICLES (a) Fuels for motor vehicles such As compounds that potrol and diesel contain hydrocarbons. Hydrocar hydrocarbon found bons ar Main carbon and hydrogen only. Octane (CrHys) is an « 6 pen mle : Pram of 5 (b) In the presence of excess oxygen, hydrocarbons carbon dioxide and water vapour and release he undergo complete combustion to produc Example: 2C+Hu(g) # 2502(9) > 16CO.(g) + 18H,0(g) c)_ In limited supply of oxygen, carbon particles (in the form of soot) and a toxic gas, car oon ioxide, are produced. This is called incomplete combustion 995, carbon Examples: 2CsH:e(g) + 1702(g) —> 16CO(g) + 18H,0(g) 2CsHie(g) + 902(9) —> 16C(s) + 18H,0(g) (d) In the vehicle engine, nitrogen and oxygen in the air react at high temperature. Nitr monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are produced. _ _ Equations: N2(g) + O2(g) > 2NO(g) 2NO(g) + O2(g) > 2NO2(g) nitrogen and unburnt hydrocarbons. (e) Hence, the exhaust gases from motor vehicles contain harmful carbon monoxide, oxides of (f) To reduce air pollution, catalytic converters are attached to the motor vehicle exhaust systems. (g) They contain platinum and rhodium as catalysts. Casing of stainless steel carbon dioxide nitrogen | © water vapour | (harmless) | * carbon monoxide \ * oxides of nitrogen i | + unburnt hydrocarbons Simi lan a (harmful) platinum and rhodium \ Catalytic converter(h) When hot exhaust gases ay gases are converted to harmions et, Over the, patted 0 Ccatalys (9 Carbon monoxide is oxidised to fom CO. Equation: 260(9) + ox9) 20,9) Ai) Oxides of nitrogen are reduced to form Ny 88 Nitrogen monoxide is reduced to form Nz quation: — 2NO(g) + 260g) -. 2co44g) + Nal) €.9. Nitrogen dioxide is reduced to form No, Equation: 2NOx(g) + 4¢0 -, 4c02g) + Ne(a) (iii) Unburnt hydrocarbons such as octane Celie are oxidised to form COz and H20. Equation: 2GsHsa(g) + 250g) — 16C0.(g) + 18H0(") (i) Other measures to reduce air pollution by motor vehicles Effect Measure Use new materials such as lightweight Less fuel is needed to power lighter car bodies. alloys (instead of steel) to make car bodies. s i Tess. Use clean Tusls, such 28 hydrogen. | The products of combustion are harmle = ss 2.9, When hydrogen burns, only water is produced. Ballary powered cars reduce exhaust gas emissions Use electric cars. teen £10ARBON CYCLE o (0) GLOBAL WARMING & THE ravonting. Its loss by radiation « | fom the sun, PI ote 1.Global wanMiNa |. gyaoe tap HOA! Om HN oct Is called the greenhouse effect ry Tay Some atmo ce that produens tape surface at a comfortable temperature." space This Mrtant in keeping (Ne Sas important amount of heatin the atmosphere. This is produc n excessive amo eatmospher ea my Some potatants are rapping an eeT Tn temporature is called global warming "9 : ash w increase in temperature. THI Br SEatioune pase, Absorb Infra ragian fromearth T8@ation (0) Two major greenhouses gases are carbon dioxide and methane. * The rise in carbon dioxide is due to the increase in the use and burning of fossil fuels, + The increase in methane is believed to be mainl i ly due to increased bacterial vegetation due to human activities such as destructi i decay a ruction in Pana of forest and increased farming of rice (a) Consequences of the increase in global warming2. Carbon Cyet (@) Atthough the at tonnes of carton, PM Eman 0.05 og gy . OF carbon de (b) This huge re: atmosphere by Ser ot (9) The mechanism that maintaing th ers it the carbon cycle," 2INS the level of carbon dioxide in the ati osphere in called . losphere is cal Cat i tic ' stem. The rbon le is the circulation of the element carbon in the Earth’ 's ecosyst carbon yale regulates the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s ecosystem. Chemistry/Atmosphere—aa_~_—s®—s—W"__ Dd (e) Howie carbon dioxide produced? 7 0 sapire, During respiration, the e: 1. Respiration J animate) rospiro. During rose , the carb wing things (plants, wt and water vapour. hydrates j Ail ving things ity carbon dioxide / J water es in weed during respiration, food are conv Energy (8 1 CaHiyOr + 602 + 6CO? * 6H,0 Equation: of fossil fuels re such as coal, petroleum varbon dioxide is produced. ombustion. Gombustion » and natural gas (contains 998 (contains mainty When fossil fu methane) are burt, © Energy is released during © Equation for complete combustion of methane: Haig) + 202(a) ~ COx(Q) + 2H20(9) 3. Bacterial decay When plants and animals die, their bodies are broken down by bacteria. Carbon dioxide is produced in the process. (f) How is carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere? 1. Photosynthesis Plants are essential as they help to remove carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxid } , je and water are converted i ‘oxygen in the presence of sunlight. eee Equation: 6CO; + 6H,0 — CsH120¢ + 602 2, Ocean Uptake death, decay and respirationEee ys a eS: Fy i) @ - @( ) @& @ CFCs reach \ eet reseh In the presence of fe ssoighe CFs mae tomphere a Secompose tf where the | ©) O) Chlorine am |OS f =p [B28 cn. OO -20+00 7 DBO is found IY aberine atoms react with ozone molecalesin the stratrphere ws Meo fermen menses ter : iy “\, Propettants in

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CFCK + Cl The chlorine atoms destroy the ozone molecules by reacting with them to form chlorine monoxide and oxygen gas. Equation: Ci{g) + Ox(g)—> C/O(g) + O2(9) eT oe ~~ 3 ® v ~~ aD at @ CF is [ ‘C molecule is decomposed by UV rays to form chlorine atom | @—& —= ®@+ ee Chlorine atom reacts with : oz oxygen, resulting in a loss of ‘one to form chlorine ozone. monoxide andne chlorine atom can destroy up to 10 000 ozone m 8. Why? one y ©z0n0 molecu 0 W’ Chemical Equations: Step 1:ci+0, . C10 +0, Step 261010 Servo, In step 1, the reactive chiorin Hlorine atom (Ci) formed will react wit chlorine monoxide and oxygen gas. Honew destroyi fae va fornalecuin ane Wine UY ehlotine monoxide formed can react with a reactive oxygen stom (ormed ‘aks down the oxygen Molecule into single oxygen atoms), regenerating chlorine atom, Heni ce, the cycle of step 1 and step 2 can be repeated continuously with one chlorine atorn destroying thousands of ozone molecules. Step 1: C+O3 — ClO +0, Step 2: CIO +O — Ci+ Oz and again ... Cl +03 —+ CIO + Or : CIO + O > Cl + Oz for thousands of times. Step Step and again. (g) The destruction of the ozone layer enables excessive UV light to reach the Earth’s surface. (h) Effects of exposure to excessive UV radiation due to ozone depletior « causes skin cancer * causes eye disease such as cataract damages food crops Solution: To stop manufacturing and ban the use of CFCs.duced in a redox reaction? 1 Which atmospheric pollutant can be removed by being Fad A carbon monoxide in a catalytic converter B nitrogen monoxide in a catalytic converter pons in a catalytic convertor Lunburnt hydrocart Je gases by reaction with calcium carbonate ‘ sulfur dioxide trom thy loved in a catalytic conv h takes place when combustion pollutants are removed ivtic converter? Which reaction fakes place when con A 2C+2NO Nz +2CO B 200 +2NO-+ 260: + No © CO+NO,-+NO+CO: D COz+NO-+CO+NOz Which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? 3 A photosynthesis B respiration C bacterial decay D combustion of fossil fuels 4 Which pair of gases are involved in the formation of acid rain? A methane and nitrogen monoxide B carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide C nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide D nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide 5 Which is true about complete combustion of fuels? A’ Atoxic gas can be produced. 8 The products can be carbon particles and water, C It takes place in the presence of excess oxygen. D Some unbumt hydrocarbons will be left behind, 9(9)'a() Ve) ‘aa suy Chemistry/Atmosphere £17dioxide ang oo dw: . the Equation: Copy tot VaP our, ga oN State CoH, - Ener 8 In foo 20s + 60,» ore ' leased donna omwenes int * CO, turing ed into carbon, L0 espitation (C) When plants Carbon dion 2° anim: i al o*1de 8 produced in the et 0288 a0 rok process, ToKen down by bacteria WO) NSS (0) Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide Nitrogen dioxide reacts with the water , ir to form nitric \ ith oxygen and the water vapour in the air to form nitric | \ acid. | Equation: 4NO2(g) + 02(g) +2H.0(!) + 4HNO,(aq) | Sultur dioxide in the air reacts with water tof , . ceed nai Gem ainccds ae ee i Equations: $02(g) + H2O(!) + H2SO;(a9) 2H2SO;(aq) + O2(g) > 2H2SO«(aq) 5 Cc (C) In the presence of excess ‘oxygen, hydrocarb combustion to produce carbon dioxide and water vapo! = 16C0,g) + 18H:0(9) Example: 2CsH10(9) + 2502(9) ons undergo complete Jur and release heat. ee E18 Chemistry/Atmosphere