Air Pollution

• What do burning fossil fuels produce?

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

  Plenty of oxygen
• What is incomplete combustion?

  Burning with insufficient oxygen
• What pollutants are produced from incomplete combustion?

  Carbon monoxide and particulates
• What are particulates in the context of combustion?

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

  They damage lungs and cause smog
• What is global dimming?

  Less sunlight reaching the Earth
• Why is carbon monoxide particularly dangerous?

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

  Fainting, coma, and death
• Why is carbon monoxide hard to detect?

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

  From oxidizing sulfur impurities in hydrocarbons
• How are nitrogen oxides formed?

  When nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures
• What are the two main problems associated with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides?

  They damage lungs and cause acid rain
• What happens when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with clouds?

  They form dilute sulfuric and nitric acids
• 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?

  • Burning hydrocarbons with plenty of oxygen
  • Produces only water and carbon dioxide
• What is incomplete combustion?

  • Burning hydrocarbons with insufficient oxygen
  • Produces carbon monoxide and particulates
• What are the effects of pollutants from fossil fuel combustion?

  • Respiratory problems from inhaled particulates
  • Acid rain damaging buildings and plants
• What are the sources of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides?

  • Sulfur dioxide: oxidized sulfur impurities
  • Nitrogen oxides: reaction of nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures