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Air Water (We obtain gases by the Fractional Distillation of air (The air…
Air Water
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Pollutant Gases
Sulfur Dioxide
The main source of sulfur dioxide is from heavy industry and power plants that burn hydrocarbons with sulfur impurities in them. To a lesser extent they also are released from volcanoes.
S + O2 = SO2
This sulfur dioxide dissolves in water in clouds to form sulfurous acid, which then is further oxidised to sulfuric acid.
SO2 + H2O = H2SO3
2H2SO3 + O2 = 2H2SO4
These two acids are largely responsible for acid rain. Acid rain has adverse effects on both the environment and people. Acid rain lowers pH levels of waterways killing aquatic life, leeches away important nutrients in soils and kills vegetation. Humans are not directly affected as the concentration of sulfuric acid in rain is so low, but building, historic landmarks and statues. If they are made out of limestone their features become unidentifiable due to the following reaction:
CaCO3 + H2SO4 = CaCO4 + H2O + CO2 asthmatics
As a gas alone sulfur dioxide can cause bronchospasms in asthmatics.
Carbon Monoxide
The incomplete combustion of carbon (due to small presence of oxygen) results in the formation carbon monoxide.
2C + O2 = 2CO
The major sources of carbon monoxide include – internal combustion engines in vehicles and factories.
Carbon monoxide is the most toxic of the pollutants. It binds onto haemoglobin in blood displacing blood. The result is cells not getting enough oxygen leading to fatigue and in large enough quantities, death.
Nitrogen Oxides
The main source of nitrogen oxide is from internal combustion engines. It is NOT the fuel in the engine that creates the oxides, instead the high temperatures generated by the engine that allow the normally unreactive nitrogen and oxygen to react in the atmosphere.
The intense heat of an engine causes nitrogen and oxygen to react to produce nitrogen monoxide:
N2 + O2 = 2NO
The nitrogen monoxide then oxidises in air to form nitrogen dioxide.
2NO + O2 + 2NO2
The concerns about nitrogen dioxide arise from its similarity to sulfur dioxide in the way that it contributes to acidic rain. As a gas alone, nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can cause bronchospasm in asthmatics. The nitrogen oxides also contribute to photochemical smog.
Lead Compounds
Lead compounds were once commonly used as additives in petrol. They are released during the combustion of leaded fuels. They are considered very bad pollutants as they have been linked to have adverse effects on humans such as causing mental disability in children and cancer.
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Tests for Water
- The presence of water turns anhydrous copper sulfate from white to blue hydrated copper sulfate:
CuSO4 + 5H2O = CuSO4.5H2O
- The presence of water turns cobalt chloride paper from blue to pink.
CoCl2 + 6H2O = CoCl2.6H2O
Uses of Water
Water is by far the most important liquid on earth. It is a universal solvent, dissolving ionic and other polar compounds.
Industry uses huge amounts of water mainly for cooling. Other uses are outlined:
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