9.4 Air Pollution

• What are the products of burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas under complete combustion conditions?

  Carbon dioxide and water
• What is required for complete combustion of hydrocarbons?

  Plenty of oxygen
• What is incomplete combustion and what does it produce?

  Incomplete combustion occurs with insufficient oxygen and produces carbon monoxide and particulates
• What are particulates produced from burning hydrocarbons commonly referred to as?

  Soot
• What are the two main problems associated with inhaling particulates?

  They can damage lungs and form dark clouds or smog
• How does carbon monoxide affect the body when inhaled?

  It binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport
• What are the severe consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  Fainting, coma, and death
• Why is carbon monoxide particularly dangerous?

  It is colorless and odorless, making it hard to detect
• What pollutants are formed from burning hydrocarbons with sulfur impurities?

  Sulfur dioxide
• How are nitrogen oxides formed during combustion?

  When nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at high temperatures
• What common source reaches the high temperatures necessary for nitrogen oxides to form?

  Internal combustion engines
• What are the health effects of breathing in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides?

  They can damage lungs and cause respiratory problems
• What happens when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with clouds?

  They dissolve to form dilute sulfuric and nitric acids
• What is the result of acid rain on buildings and plants?

  It can corrode metals and damage plants
• How does acid rain affect soil and plant growth?

  It makes the soil more acidic, hindering plant growth
• What are the pollutants produced from burning fossil fuels and their sources?

  • Carbon monoxide: produced from incomplete combustion
  • Particulates (soot): produced from incomplete combustion
  • Sulfur dioxide: produced from burning hydrocarbons with sulfur impurities
  • Nitrogen oxides: formed when nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures
• What are the environmental and health impacts of pollutants from fossil fuel combustion?

  Health impacts:

  • Respiratory problems from particulates and gases
  • Carbon monoxide can lead to fainting, coma, and death

  
  

  Environmental impacts:

  • Acid rain damages buildings and plants
  • Dimming of sunlight due to particulates