Pollution: Fuels and Earth science: Chemistry: GCSE (9:1)

Pollution

Release of harmful materials into the environment

Cause of carbon dioxide pollution

Combustion of fossil fuels

Effect of carbon dioxide pollution

Global warming

Cause of sulfur dioxide pollution

Combustion of sulfur impurities in fossil fuels

Cause of carbon monoxide pollution

Incomplete combustion

Effect of the carbon monoxide pollution

Toxic to humans

Carbon monoxide

A colorless, odorless, and toxic gas

Causes of nitrogen oxide pollution

Heat and pressure in engines causes oxygen and nitrogen from the air to react

Acid rain

Non-metal oxides dissolve in rain lowering its pH

Gases which cause acid rain

Sulfur dioxide, Oxides of nitrogen

Carbon particulates

Unburned hydrocarbons and carbon which form solid particles (soot) in the atmosphere

Global dimming

A decline in the amount of light reaching the earth's surface because carbon particulate reflects more light back into space.

Pollutants which effect human health

Carbon particulates, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide

Reducing SO2 emissions

Remove sulfur from fuels before burning them (desulfurisation)

Reducing CO and Particulates

Ensure plenty of oxygen in combustion

Advantages of hydrogen powered cars

Can be made from renewable resources, only produces water (not polluting)

Disadvantages of hydrogen powered cars

Hydrogen can be made from natural gas (finite), difficult to store and explosive