C5:Fuels and the Earth’s atmosphere (Important)

What is crude oil?

Crude oil is a natural fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms that have been subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.

How is crude oil formed?

Crude oil is formed from the remains of microscopic plants and animals buried under layers of sediment and subjected to heat and pressure over geological time.

Name the substance that is the source of fuel for an aircraft.

Jet fuel is the substance that is the source of fuel for an aircraft.

Name the substance that is the source of fuel for cars.

Petrol (gasoline) is the substance that is the source of fuel for cars.

Name the substance that is the source of fuel for tarmac on the roads.

Bitumen is the substance that is the source of fuel for tarmac on the roads.

Is crude oil a renewable or non-renewable source of energy?

Crude oil is a non-renewable source of energy.

What two elements is crude oil made up of?

Crude oil is primarily made up of carbon and hydrogen.

How do you separate crude oil into its useful fractions?

Crude oil is separated into its useful fractions through a process called fractional distillation, typically in a fractionating column.

Describe how the temperature changes in a fractioning column.

In a fractionating column, the temperature decreases as you move up the column, with higher temperatures at the bottom where crude oil is heated.

Outline the process of heating up crude oil to produce useful fractions.

1. Heat the crude oil to vaporize it; 2. The vapors move up the column; 3. As they cool, they condense at different heights according to their boiling points.

What happens to the size of fractions (hydrocarbon chains) as you go up the column?

As you go up the column, the size of the hydrocarbon chains decreases.

What happens to the volatility of the fractions as you go up the column?

The volatility of the fractions increases as you go up the column.

What happens to the viscosity of the fractions as you go up the column?

The viscosity of the fractions decreases as you go up the column.

What happens to the flammability as you go up the column?

The flammability of the fractions increases as you go up the column.

What is complete combustion?

Complete combustion is a chemical reaction where a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

What are the products of complete combustion?

The products of complete combustion are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Write the word equation to show complete combustion of methane.

Methane + Oxygen -> Carbon Dioxide + Water.

What is incomplete combustion?

Incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient oxygen for a hydrocarbon to react fully, producing carbon monoxide and/or soot alongside water.

What are the products of incomplete combustion?

The products of incomplete combustion typically include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon (soot), water (H2O), and unburned hydrocarbons.

What are the disadvantages of complete combustion?

Disadvantages of complete combustion can include the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.

Describe the disadvantages of incomplete combustion.

Disadvantages of incomplete combustion include the production of harmful carbon monoxide, which is toxic, and soot, which can reduce air quality.

Explain why carbon monoxide is toxic to humans.

Carbon monoxide is toxic because it binds to hemoglobin in the blood more effectively than oxygen, preventing oxygen transport and causing suffocation.

What is the consequence of soot?

Soot can lead to respiratory problems, reduced air quality, and can also contribute to climate change by absorbing sunlight.

What is a pollutant?

A pollutant is any substance that, when introduced into the environment, causes harm or discomfort to living organisms.

What are the consequences of nitrogen oxides formed from burning hydrocarbons?

Nitrogen oxides can lead to respiratory problems, contribute to smog and acid rain, and affect ecosystems.

What causes acid rain?

Acid rain is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere, which combine with water vapor.

Describe the biological consequences of acid rain.

Biological consequences of acid rain include damage to aquatic ecosystems, soil degradation, and harm to vegetation.

Name the process used to break down larger hydrocarbon chains into smaller hydrocarbon chains.

The process is called cracking.

Describe what is meant by the supply and demand of a fraction.

Supply and demand of a fraction refer to the availability (supply) and the market need (demand) for that specific hydrocarbon fraction.

True or false. Longer hydrocarbon chains are more useful than smaller hydrocarbon chains.

False. Longer hydrocarbon chains are often less useful as fuels and are converted into smaller fractions through refining processes.

Give two disadvantages of petrol as fuel.

1. Petrol emits carbon dioxide and other pollutants when burned; 2. Its extraction and refining contribute to environmental degradation.

Describe how large amounts of hydrogen can be stored.

Large amounts of hydrogen can be stored in high-pressure tanks, in liquid form at extremely low temperatures, or in metal hydrides.

Name the main gases that made up the EARLY atmosphere.

The main gases in the early atmosphere included nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

What produced the gases that formed the earth’s early atmosphere?

The early atmosphere was produced by volcanic eruptions releasing gases as well as the outgassing from molten rock.

Why did the amount of carbon dioxide start to decrease?

The amount of carbon dioxide started to decrease due to photosynthesis by early plants, which absorbed CO2 and released oxygen.

Why did the abundance of oxygen start to increase?

The abundance of oxygen began to increase due to photosynthesis from plants and algae, which produce oxygen as a byproduct.

Describe the chemical test for oxygen.

The chemical test for oxygen is the glowing splint test, where a glowing splint reignites in the presence of oxygen.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases trap heat in the atmosphere, maintaining Earth's temperature.

What is global warming?

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities and greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the difference between global warming and climate change?

Global warming specifically refers to the increase in Earth's temperature, while climate change encompasses a broader range of changes in climate patterns.

Describe the impact that humans have on global warming.

Humans contribute to global warming mainly through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Give three consequences of global warming.

1. Rising sea levels; 2. Increased frequency of extreme weather events; 3. Disruption of ecosystems and biodiversity