CSEC Chemistry: Gases, Non-Metals, and Environmental Chemistry

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering laboratory preparation of gases, chemical reactions of acids and non-metals, and environmental pollution concepts from CSEC Chemistry exam questions.

Nitrogen

The most abundant gas in the atmosphere by volume, which is relatively unreactive at room temperature and is widely used in the manufacture of agricultural fertilizers.

Factors for gas collection method selection

The two primary physical properties considered when choosing a laboratory gas collection method: the density of the gas relative to air and its solubility in water.

Upward delivery

A laboratory method used to collect gases that are less dense than air and soluble in water, such as ammonia ($NH_3$).

Downward delivery

A laboratory method used to collect gases that are denser than air and soluble or sparingly soluble in water, such as carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).

Displacement of water

A laboratory method of collecting gases over water, suitable strictly for gases that are insoluble or only slightly soluble in water.

Calcium oxide ($CaO$)

A basic drying agent that is the preferred choice for drying ammonia gas in the laboratory because it does not react with the alkaline gas.

Action of concentrated sulfuric acid on ammonia

An acid-base neutralization reaction that prevents the use of concentrated sulfuric acid as a drying agent for ammonia: $2NH_3(g) + H_2SO_4(l) \rightarrow (NH_4)_2SO_4(s)$.

Nitrate fertilizers

Nitrogen-rich plant nutrients, such as ammonium nitrate ($NH_4NO_3$), that can cause environmental damage through leaching into water bodies and triggering eutrophication.

Limewater test

A confirmatory chemical test for carbon dioxide gas ($CO_2$), which forms a white precipitate of calcium carbonate and turns calcium hydroxide solution milky or cloudy.

Reaction of sodium hydrogen carbonate with hydrochloric acid

A chemical reaction producing a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas: $HCl(aq) + NaHCO_3(s) \rightarrow NaCl(aq) + H_2O(l) + CO_2(g)$.

Ionic equation for magnesium and hydrochloric acid

The ionic equation representing the displacement reaction between solid magnesium and dilute acid: $Mg(s) + 2H^+(aq) \rightarrow Mg^{2+}(aq) + H_2(g)$.

Ammonium sulfate in the presence of a base

An adverse agricultural condition where basic substances react with ammonium fertilizer to liberate volatile ammonia gas ($NH_3$), depleting the soil of vital nitrogen nutrients.

Silicon

A useful non-metal element widely employed as a semiconductor in electronic microchips and computer processors, as well as in the production of glass.

Phosphorus

A non-metal element essential for plant growth and commercially used in the production of agricultural fertilizers, match heads, and pyrotechnics.

Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$)

A gas produced by burning sulfur in air that dissolves in water to form an acidic solution ($H_2SO_3$), which turns moist blue litmus paper red.

Pollution

The release or introduction of harmful, toxic, or contaminating substances into the natural environment that cause adverse alterations and damage.

Environment

The surrounding physical, chemical, and biotic conditions and influences in which organisms live and interact.

Acid rain

Precipitation made acidic by dissolved atmospheric pollutants like sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) and nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), leading to crop damage, soil degradation, and coral reef destruction.