Planet Earth

• Clean air is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.1% carbon dioxide and other noble gases.
• Nitrogen is used in the manufacturing of ammonia, in the Haber Process.
• Liquid nitrogen is used in cyrogenics, which is the storing of embryos and other types of living tissue at low temperatures.
• Nitrogen is used where an unreactive gas is needed to keep air away from certain products, for example it is used to fill up chip bags tp enure that the chips do not get crushed or go rancid as a result of contact with oxygen.
• The biggest single use of oxygen is in the production of steel from a cast iron.
• Oxygen is used in oxyacetylene torches to cut and weld metals.
• Oxygen in cylinders is used in hospitals to help with the breathing of sick people.
• Argon is used to fill light bulbs and prevent the tungsten filament from burning out.
• Argon does not react with tungsten, even at high temps.
• Noble gases are used in advertising signs because they glow with different colors
• The main sound of problem gases is the burning of fossil fuels, which is contaminated with sulfur.
• Most countries produce electricity by burning coal or oil, which is contaminated with sulfur.
• When fossil fuels, coal, or oil are burnt in a power station, the sulfur reacts with oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide.
• Oxides of nitrogen (ex. nitrogen dioxide) are also produced when air is heated in furnaces. These gases dissolve rainwater and produce acid rain.
• Effects of acid rain: limestone buildings, statues, ect. are worn away
• Effects of acid rain: lakes are acidified and metal ions are washed out of the soil and gills of fish are damaged.
• Effects of acid rain: nutrients are washed out of the soil and leaves.
• Effects of acid rain: aluminium ions are freed from clay such as aluminium sulphate, which damages the roots of trees. Since the tree roots are damaged, the tree can no longer get enough water or nutrients and they die.
• Wind carries acid rain causing the pollution to fall on other countries.
• Adding lime to lakes and surrounding land will help remedy the effects of acid rain.
• Scrubbers are put into power station furnaces. The acidic gases pass through an alkaline substance such as lime (calcium oxide), which removes the acid making the gases much less harmful.
• Petrol and diesel have most of their sulfur removed, producing low sulfur fuels.
• Motor based vehicles don't have a serious problem with sulfur dioxide, however they still produce nitrogen dioxide. High temperature in engine cylinders cause nitrogen and oxygen to react together.
• Because of the lack of oxygen in motor based engines, fuel doesn't burn completely and carbon monoxide is formed. This is formed because of incomplete combustion.
• Nitrogen dioxide causes acid rain and can combine with other gases is hot weather to create photochemical smog which causes breathing problems, especially for people with asthma.
• Carbon monoxide combines with the haemoglobin in the blood causing it to stop carrying oxygen. Carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, headaches, and even death.
• Catalytic converters are attached to the exhaust systems of cars to convert carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
• Reaction to turn carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into carbon dioxide and nitrogen:
• Reaction to turn carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into carbon dioxide and nitrogen:

  
  

  2CO + O2 --> 2CO2

  2NO + 2CO --> N2 + 2CO2

  2NO --> N2 + O2
• Effects of greenhouse gases: glaciers and polar ice will melt which will cause a rise in sea level and low land will be flooded.
• Effects of greenhouse gases: surface temperature of Earth will increase so deserts with spread and millions of people will have less water.
• Effects of greenhouse gases: severe weather events will increase in frequency and hurricanes and flooding will be more common.
• Effects of greenhouse gases: in some areas it will be easier to grow crops, while in others it will be more difficult.
• Carbon dioxide and methane are the two main problem gases.
• Methane is about 20 times more effective at stopping heat from escaping than carbon dioxide is.
• Carbon dioxide enters the air through burning and respiration and it is removed by plants through photosynthesis.
• Burning more fuel and cutting down forests increases the carbon dioxide problem. Burning less fossil fuels and planting more trees will solve the problem.
• Methane is a product of anaerobic decay of organic material and is produced in large quantities in landfill sites. It is also produced in the digestive system of animals.