Air Pollution

• What do burning fossil fuels produce?

  Carbon dioxide and water
• When does complete combustion occur?

  When pure hydrocarbons burn with plenty of oxygen
• What is incomplete combustion?

  Burning with insufficient oxygen
• What pollutants are produced from burning fossil fuels?

  Carbon monoxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides
• What are particulates?

  Solid particles of carbon, called soot
• What are the two main problems associated with particulates?

  They damage lungs and cause global dimming
• How do particulates affect sunlight?

  They form smog that reflects sunlight back
• Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

  It binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport
• What can severe carbon monoxide poisoning lead to?

  Fainting, coma, and death
• What makes carbon monoxide hard to detect?

  It is colorless and odorless
• How is sulfur dioxide produced during combustion?

  Sulfur in hydrocarbons gets oxidized
• How are nitrogen oxides formed?

  Nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures
• Why do internal combustion engines produce nitrogen oxides?

  They reach high temperatures for reactions
• What are the health effects of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides?

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

  They form dilute sulfuric and nitric acid
• What is acid rain and how does it affect the environment?

  It damages buildings, statues, and plants
• How does acid rain affect soil and plants?

  It makes soil more acidic, hindering growth
• What is complete combustion and its products?

  • Complete combustion occurs with sufficient oxygen
  • Products are water and carbon dioxide
• What is incomplete combustion and its pollutants?

  • Incomplete combustion occurs with insufficient oxygen
  • Pollutants include carbon monoxide and particulates
• What are the effects of pollutants from fossil fuel combustion?

  • Damage to lungs and respiratory health
  • Formation of acid rain affecting buildings and plants