Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources

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Fossil Fuels and Combustion

Fossil fuels include coal, oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands.
They are mainly hydrocarbons, containing carbon and hydrogen, and often small amounts of sulfur.
Burning fossil fuels releases energy but also produces pollutants that harm the environment and health.
Complete combustion occurs with plenty of oxygen: hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.
Incomplete combustion occurs when oxygen is limited: hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon monoxide + water.
Incomplete combustion is common in engines and poorly ventilated stoves, especially with diesel or limited airflow.

Gases Released by Burning Fuels

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapour (H₂O) are produced during complete combustion.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced during incomplete combustion when oxygen is limited.
Oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO₂) form from nitrogen and oxygen in the air at high temperatures in engines.
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is produced from sulfur impurities in the fuel.
Solid particles and unburned hydrocarbons can also be released, forming soot and contributing to particulate pollution.

Formation of Carbon Monoxide and Soot

Carbon monoxide forms when fuels burn with limited oxygen; carbon is only partially oxidised.
Example: 2CH₄ + 3O₂ → 2CO + 4H₂O.
Soot (carbon particles) forms when there is very little oxygen, causing hydrocarbons to break down without fully combusting.
Soot appears as tiny solid carbon particles, often seen as black smoke.
Soot is common in diesel engines and open flames.
Example: C₈H₁₈ + 8½O₂ → 8C (soot) + 9H₂O.

Combustion Comparison

Formation of Sulfur Dioxide and Oxides of Nitrogen

Sulfur dioxide forms when sulfur impurities in fuel react with oxygen during combustion.
Example: S + O₂ → SO₂.
Oxides of nitrogen form when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at high temperatures, such as in car engines and power stations.
These reactions do not happen during normal combustion but occur due to the extreme heat.
Example: N₂ + O₂ → 2NO, then 2NO + O₂ → 2NO₂.

Nitrogen Oxides

Properties and Effects of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an extremely poisonous gas.
It combines with haemoglobin in blood and prevents it from carrying oxygen.
It is particularly dangerous because it is colourless and odourless, making it difficult to detect.
A lack of oxygen supply to the brain can lead to fainting, coma or death.
Carbon monoxide detectors are needed in homes to detect this gas.

Carbon Monoxide

Properties and Effects of Particulates

Solid carbon particles (particulates) released from incomplete combustion clump together to form soot which gradually falls back to the ground.
If inhaled, particulates can damage the lungs and cause respiratory problems.
They can cover buildings and statues, making them look unclean and accelerating corrosion.
They can reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of light reaching the Earth; this is called global dimming.
Statues and monuments in very polluted areas become blackened over time from soot.

Particulates

Properties and Effects of Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur dioxide is a colourless, pungent smelling gas that is a major air pollutant responsible for acid rain.
It mixes with clouds and readily dissolves in rainwater.
SO₂ is a non-metal oxide, so it forms an acidic solution in water, forming acid rain (H₂SO₄).
Acid rain causes corrosion to metal structures, buildings and statues made of carbonate rocks.
It causes damage to aquatic organisms, pollutes crops and water supplies, and irritates lungs, throats and eyes.

Sulfur Dioxide

Properties and Effects of Oxides of Nitrogen

Oxides of nitrogen come largely from vehicle exhausts and also contribute to acid rain.
They are produced when nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures reached in a vehicle engine.
Aside from acid rain, oxides of nitrogen produce photochemical smog.
They cause breathing difficulties, in particular for people suffering from asthma.

Nitrogen Oxides

Distinguishing Pollutants and Their Effects

Greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants are not the same thing.
A greenhouse gas causes global warming, whereas a pollutant is something not found in clean air and causes problems close to the ground such as smog and breathing difficulties.
Carbon dioxide is linked to global warming.
Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause acid rain and respiratory problems.
Particulates cause global dimming and health problems.
Carbon monoxide is toxic.

Summary

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1.Which gas is produced during the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel?
Easy
- ACarbon monoxide
- BCarbon dioxide
- CSulfur dioxide
- DOxides of nitrogen
2.Which gas is produced during the incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel?
Medium
- ACarbon dioxide
- BCarbon monoxide
- CSulfur dioxide
- DNitrogen
3.Which pollutant is formed when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at the high temperatures inside a car engine?
Medium
- ASulfur dioxide
- BCarbon monoxide
- COxides of nitrogen
- DCarbon dioxide
4.Sulfur dioxide is produced when a fossil fuel is burned. Where does the sulfur in this pollutant come from?
Medium
- AFrom nitrogen in the air
- BFrom sulfur impurities in the fuel
- CFrom oxygen in the air
- DFrom water vapour in the air
5.Which property of carbon monoxide makes it difficult to detect in a home?
Medium
- AIt is acidic
- BIt is colourless and odourless
- CIt is alkaline
- DIt is a particulate
6.Which pollutant causes global dimming by reflecting sunlight back into space?
Medium
- ACarbon monoxide
- BSulfur dioxide
- CParticulates
- DOxides of nitrogen
7.Which gas dissolves in rainwater to form sulfuric acid, a major cause of acid rain?
Medium
- ACarbon dioxide
- BCarbon monoxide
- CSulfur dioxide
- DMethane
8.Which of the following is the correct effect of carbon monoxide on health?
Medium
- AIt causes global warming
- BIt combines with haemoglobin and prevents blood carrying oxygen
- CIt causes acid rain
- DIt causes global dimming

Thêm câu hỏi

9.Which of the following are pollutants released when fossil fuels are burned? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ACarbon dioxide
- BWater vapour
- CCarbon monoxide
- DSulfur dioxide
- EOxides of nitrogen
10.Which of the following statements about particulates are correct? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AThey are solid carbon particles
- BThey are formed during incomplete combustion
- CThey cause acid rain
- DThey can cause respiratory problems if inhaled
- EThey contribute to global dimming
11.Which of the following are adverse effects of sulfur dioxide? (select all that apply)
Hard
- AAcid rain
- BGlobal warming
- CRespiratory problems
- DGlobal dimming
- ECorrosion of metal structures
12.Carbon monoxide is produced during incomplete combustion when there is not enough oxygen.
Easy
True or false?
13.Sulfur dioxide is formed from nitrogen and oxygen in the air at high temperatures.
Easy
True or false?
14.Particulates are a major cause of acid rain.
Medium
True or false?
15.Oxides of nitrogen contribute to both acid rain and photochemical smog.
Medium
True or false?
16.Carbon dioxide is the main pollutant responsible for acid rain.
Easy
True or false?
17.Match each pollutant to its main effect on the environment or health.
Medium
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Particulates
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Toxic gas that prevents blood carrying oxygen
- Acid rain
- Global dimming
- Photochemical smog and acid rain
18.Match each pollutant to its source.
Medium
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Complete combustion of carbon-containing fuels
- Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels
- Combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur compounds
- Reaction of nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures in car engines
19.Place the following steps in the correct order to show how acid rain is formed from sulfur dioxide.
Medium
- Sulfur impurities in fuel burn
- Sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere
- Sulfur dioxide dissolves in rainwater
- Sulfuric acid is formed and falls as acid rain
20.Place the following pollutants in order of the size of their effect on global dimming, from most to least.
Medium
- Particulates
- Sulfur dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
21.Which pollutant is formed from nitrogen and oxygen in the air at high temperatures in a car engine?
Medium
- ASulfur dioxide
- BCarbon monoxide
- COxides of nitrogen
- DCarbon dioxide
22.Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colourless and odourless.
Medium
True or false?
23.Particulates cause acid rain.
Medium
True or false?
24.Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen both contribute to acid rain.
Medium
True or false?
25.Which of the following gases are released during the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ACarbon dioxide
- BWater vapour
- CCarbon monoxide
- DSulfur dioxide
- EOxides of nitrogen
26.Which of the following statements about the formation of oxides of nitrogen in a car engine are correct? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AThey form from nitrogen and oxygen in the air.
- BThey form at the high temperatures reached inside the engine.
- CThey form from sulfur impurities in the petrol.
- DThey form from the carbon in the fuel reacting with nitrogen.
- EThey are produced during normal combustion at low temperatures.
27.Which of the following are correct statements about carbon monoxide? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AIt is produced during incomplete combustion.
- BIt is toxic because it combines with haemoglobin in the blood.
- CIt is a colourless and odourless gas.
- DIt is a solid particulate.
- EIt is the main gas responsible for acid rain.
28.Which of the following are problems caused by particulates released from burning fuels? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AThey can cause global dimming by reflecting sunlight back into space.
- BThey can damage the lungs and cause respiratory problems if inhaled.
- CThey can blacken buildings and statues and accelerate corrosion.
- DThey dissolve in rainwater to form sulfuric acid.
- EThey combine with haemoglobin in the blood.
29.Which of the following are adverse effects of oxides of nitrogen? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AThey contribute to acid rain.
- BThey contribute to photochemical smog.
- CThey cause respiratory problems such as breathing difficulties.
- DThey cause global dimming.
- EThey are the main cause of global warming.
30.Match each pollutant to the correct description of how it is formed.
Medium
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Particulates
- Formed when fuels burn with limited oxygen
- Formed from sulfur impurities in the fuel reacting with oxygen
- Formed from nitrogen and oxygen in the air at high temperatures
- Formed as solid carbon particles when there is very little oxygen
31.Match each pollutant to its main effect on health or the environment.
Medium
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Particulates
- Toxic gas that prevents the blood carrying oxygen
- Acid rain and irritation of the lungs, throat and eyes
- Acid rain, photochemical smog and respiratory problems
- Global dimming and respiratory problems if inhaled
32.Match each fuel or process to the pollutant it mainly produces.
Medium
- Burning a fuel with plenty of oxygen
- Burning a fuel with limited oxygen
- Burning a fuel containing sulfur impurities
- Burning petrol in a hot car engine
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Oxides of nitrogen
33.Place the following steps in the correct order to show how acid rain is formed from oxides of nitrogen.
Medium
- Nitrogen and oxygen in the air react at the high temperature of a car engine.
- Oxides of nitrogen are released in the exhaust gases.
- The oxides of nitrogen mix with clouds and dissolve in rainwater.
- Acidic rain falls and damages buildings, statues and aquatic organisms.
34.Place the following stages in order to show how sulfur dioxide from burning coal leads to acid rain.
Medium
- Coal containing sulfur impurities is burned.
- The sulfur reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide.
- Sulfur dioxide mixes with clouds and dissolves in rainwater.
- An acidic solution forms and falls as acid rain.
35.Sulfur dioxide is formed when sulfur impurities in a fuel react with oxygen during combustion.
Easy
True or false?
36.Particulates are the main cause of acid rain.
Medium
True or false?
37.Oxides of nitrogen are produced when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at the high temperatures inside a car engine.
Medium
True or false?
38.Carbon monoxide is produced when a fuel burns with a plentiful supply of oxygen.
Easy
True or false?
39.A car engine is running in a tunnel where the air supply is restricted. Which pollutant is most likely to increase in the exhaust?
Medium
- ACarbon monoxide
- BSulfur dioxide
- COxides of nitrogen
- DWater vapour
40.A fuel contains carbon, hydrogen and sulfur. It burns in a plentiful supply of air. Which set of products is formed?
Medium
- ACarbon dioxide, water and sulfur dioxide
- BCarbon monoxide, water and sulfur dioxide
- CCarbon dioxide, hydrogen and sulfur dioxide
- DCarbon dioxide, water and oxides of nitrogen
41.Complete the sentence about the formation of carbon monoxide.
Medium
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels burn with limited ____, causing the carbon in the fuel to be partially ____.
42.Complete the sentences about sulfur dioxide.
Medium
Sulfur dioxide is produced from sulfur ____ in the fuel. It dissolves in rainwater to form ____ acid, which causes acid rain.
43.Name the three main gases released when a fossil fuel undergoes complete combustion.
Easy
Complete combustion releases ____, ____ and ____.
44.Name the toxic gas that is colourless and odourless and is produced by incomplete combustion.
Medium
45.Name the pollutant that is a solid carbon particle formed during incomplete combustion.
Medium
46.A sample of air contains approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. What percentage of the air is made up of other gases such as noble gases and carbon dioxide?
Medium
47.In a sample of polluted air, 0.30% is carbon monoxide and 0.02% is unburned hydrocarbons. What is the total percentage of these two pollutants?
Medium
48.Complete the word equation for the formation of sulfur dioxide when a fuel containing sulfur impurities is burned.
Medium
sulfur + ____ → ____
49.Complete the sentences about the formation of carbon monoxide.
Medium
Carbon monoxide is produced during ____ combustion, which happens when there is not enough ____ for the fuel to burn in.
50.Complete the sentences about the effects of pollutants.
Medium
Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause ____ rain. Oxides of nitrogen also produce photochemical ____.
51.Name the gas that dissolves in rainwater to form sulfuric acid, a major cause of acid rain.
Easy
52.Name the toxic gas, produced by incomplete combustion, that is colourless and odourless.
Easy
53.Explain why carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous to humans in a home.
Hard
54.Describe how oxides of nitrogen are produced in car engines.
Hard
55.Explain why burning fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities can lead to acid rain.
Hard
56.Explain the difference between complete and incomplete combustion in terms of the products formed.
Hard
57.Explain why a car engine running in a tunnel with restricted airflow could produce more carbon monoxide than the same engine running in the open air.
Hard
58.A sample of air contains approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. What percentage of the air is made up of other gases such as noble gases and carbon dioxide?
Medium
- A3 %
- B2 %
- C1 %
- D0 %
59.In a sample of polluted air, 0.30% is carbon monoxide and 0.02% is unburned hydrocarbons. What is the total percentage of these two pollutants?
Medium
- A-0.68 %
- B1.32 %
- C0.32 %
- D2.32 %

Thẻ ghi nhớ

What is a hydrocarbon?

A compound made up mainly of carbon and hydrogen. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are mainly hydrocarbons and may also contain small amounts of sulfur.

What is released during the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel?

Carbon dioxide and water vapour. Complete combustion happens when there is plenty of oxygen.

Give the general word equation for the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon.

hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

Why does incomplete combustion happen?

Because there is not enough oxygen for the fuel to burn in. It is common in engines and poorly ventilated stoves.

What is produced during the incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon?

Carbon monoxide and water. The carbon in the fuel is only partially oxidised, forming carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide.

Give the general word equation for the incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon.

hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon monoxide + water

How is carbon monoxide produced when fuels burn?

When fuels burn with a limited supply of oxygen, the carbon is only partially oxidised, forming carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide.

Why is carbon monoxide so dangerous to humans?

It is toxic: it combines with haemoglobin in the blood and prevents it from carrying oxygen. A lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to fainting, coma or death.

Why is carbon monoxide difficult to detect?

It is colourless and odourless, so it cannot be seen or smelled. This is why carbon monoxide detectors are used in homes.

How is soot (carbon particulates) formed?

When there is very little oxygen, hydrocarbons break down without fully combusting, producing tiny solid carbon particles. Soot is common in diesel engines and open flames.

What is the environmental effect of smoke particles (particulates)?

Global dimming. They reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of light reaching the Earth.

Give two health or environmental problems caused by particulates.

If inhaled they can damage the lungs and cause respiratory problems; they can also blacken buildings and statues and accelerate corrosion.

How is sulfur dioxide produced when fossil fuels burn?

Some fossil fuels contain sulfur as an impurity. During combustion this sulfur reacts with oxygen in the air to form sulfur dioxide.

Give the word equation for the formation of sulfur dioxide.

sulfur + oxygen → sulfur dioxide

What is the formula of sulfur dioxide?

SO₂

Why does sulfur dioxide form an acidic solution in water?

SO₂ is a non-metal oxide, so it dissolves in rainwater to form an acidic solution (sulfuric acid), which falls as acid rain.

Give two problems caused by sulfur dioxide.

It causes acid rain, which corrodes metal structures and buildings made of carbonate rocks, and it irritates the lungs, throat and eyes.

How are oxides of nitrogen produced in car engines?

Nitrogen and oxygen from the air react together at the high temperatures reached in a vehicle engine. This reaction does not happen during normal combustion.

Why are oxides of nitrogen described as coming from the air rather than the fuel?

They form when nitrogen and oxygen in the air react at high temperatures in engines and power stations, not from substances in the fuel itself.

What problems do oxides of nitrogen cause?

They contribute to acid rain, produce photochemical smog, and cause breathing difficulties, especially for people with asthma.

Which pollutants are responsible for acid rain?

Oxides of sulfur (sulfur dioxide) and oxides of nitrogen. They mix with clouds and dissolve in rainwater to form acidic solutions.

What is global dimming and what causes it?

Particulates (solid carbon particles) reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of light reaching the Earth.

Which two gases are greenhouse gases released when fossil fuels burn?

Carbon dioxide and water vapour. (Note: a greenhouse gas causes global warming, which is different from a pollutant causing smog or breathing problems.)

Which group of the periodic table are the catalyst elements in catalytic converters most likely to be found in?

Transition metals. Catalytic converters use a mixture of three transition metal elements to reduce the pollutants released in exhaust fumes.

Why is wood considered 'carbon neutral' but coal is not?

Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned, but the trees it came from absorbed the same amount of carbon dioxide while growing, so the overall amount added to the atmosphere stays the same.

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