Pollutants from Fuels

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video?

  Combustion of fuels and its pollutants
• What is meant by a fuel?

  Substance that releases energy when burned
• Give two examples of fuels.

  Coal and hydrocarbons
• How is coal commonly used?

  To generate electricity in power stations
• What elements do most fuels contain?

  Carbon and hydrogen
• What happens to carbon and hydrogen atoms when fuels are burned?

  They react with oxygen and are oxidized
• What is the combustion of methane used for?

  To heat homes
• What is produced from the complete combustion of methane?

  Carbon dioxide and water vapor
• What is required for complete combustion to occur?

  Plenty of oxygen
• What is carbon dioxide classified as?

  A greenhouse gas
• What happens if the oxygen supply is reduced during combustion?

  Carbon monoxide is produced instead
• What is carbon monoxide's characteristic?

  It is a colorless, odorless gas
• Why do people install carbon monoxide detectors?

  To detect the presence of toxic gas
• What are the three products of combustion mentioned?

  Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and carbon monoxide
• What is sulfur dioxide produced from?

  The combustion of fuels containing sulfur
• How are oxides of nitrogen produced?

  From high temperatures in engines
• What do sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause in humans?

  Breathing problems
• What environmental issue do sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen contribute to?

  Acid rain
• What can acid rain damage?

  Trees and limestone buildings
• What type of pollution is produced from burning diesel?

  Particulates
• What health risks are associated with particulates?

  Increased risk of heart and lung disease
• What is global dimming?

  Reduction of sunlight reaching Earth's surface
• How might global dimming affect rainfall patterns?

  It may alter rainfall distribution
• What are the pollutants produced from burning fuels?

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Water vapor
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Sulfur dioxide
  • Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
  • Particulates
• What are the effects of pollutants from burning fuels?

  • Breathing problems in humans
  • Acid rain damaging trees and buildings
  • Increased risk of heart and lung diseases
  • Global dimming affecting rainfall patterns