AIR AND WATER

The Carbon Cycle

Photosynthesis by plants removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Air

Water

Rust

Nitrogen and Fertilizers

Tests to Identify

Pollution

Purification

Uses

Involves removing solid particles from the water

Chlorination

filtration

water turns white anhydrous copper(II) sulfate blue

Water turns blue anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride pink

In industry, water acts as a solvent and coolant

At home

In power stations(to make steam to turn turbine)

Industries sometimes discharge toxic waste in water bodies

Nitrate fertilizers in water can cause health problems

Greenhouse gases

Pollutants in the Air

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Composition

0.04% carbon dioxide

0.9% carbon dioxide

21%oxygen

Other gases

75% nitrogen

Carbon dioxide

Methane

Causes global warming

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxiders form acid rain and causes breathing difficulties

lead compounds cause brain damage

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas

Respiration and combustion of fossil fuels returns carbon to the atmosphere

Plants are either eaten by animals or fossilized over many years and the carbon is transferred

Methods of rust prevention

Coating the metal with paint/oil/plastic

Galvanizing

Sacrificial protection attaching a more reactive metal

Haber process

Temperature- 400degree

Pressure- 200 atm

Iron as catalyst

Fractional distillation of air

The air is passed to fine filters to remove any solids

The air is then cooled to -80C.At this temperature water vapor and carbon dioxide are solids and are removed as they can severe blockages.

the air without the water carbon dioxide is cooled down further to below 200C at which most of the air liquefies

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The liquid air pumped into a fractional column where it is gradually allowed to warm. They turn into gases, which rise and condense in different fractions according to their boiling points.

The gases are collected separately before being stored in tanks and cylinders ready for use.

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Oxides of Nitrogen

Catalytic converters

The following reactions naturally occur to convert toxic pollutants into less toxic ones
but at extremely slow rates: 2CO + O2 --> 2CO2 2NO + 2CO --> N2 + 2CO2
The catalyst in the converter in the exhaust system speeds up these reactions.
Instead of the reactions taking place in the atmosphere at a slow rate the catalytic converter ensures these reactions take place before gases leave the exhaust.

Presence in car engines

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.

Incomplete combustion

combustions of fossil fuels

Leaded petrols

Requirement for rusting

Iron needs to come in contact with oxygen and water

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Need in fertilizers

plants need nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in order to grow well, but can’t absorb it as a pure element- it must be a soluble salt (dissolved in water) that the roots can absorb

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Displacement of ammonia

If an ammonium salt is reacted with a strong base, ammonia will be produced along with water and a salt

Example:

NH4Cl(aq) + NaOH(aq) -> NH3(g) + H2O(l) +NaCl(aq)

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Inadequente suply of water

Irrigation

food shortages

famine

Drinking water

Prices for drinking water will begin to increase, causing people to start drinking unpurified water, leading to diseases

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Greenhouse gases

Some gases that mentain the Earth's temperature high enough to support

These gases trap the Sun's electromagnetic radiation

This causes the atmosphere to warm up and leads in global warming

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CO2 is emitted from respiration and combustion

CO2 is absorbed to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis

Animals eat these plants and the carbon consumed is released as CO2 formed during respiration

These animals and plants eventually die and decomposers feed on these dead organisms, the carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2