10.3.2

Common Atmospheric Pollutants

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Common Atmospheric Pollutants

Common atmospheric pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and lead compounds. Burning fossil fuels produces air pollutants.

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Incomplete combustion

  • Incomplete combustion happens when fuels are burned in insufficient oxygen.
  • Incomplete combustion produces two problematic by-products:
    • Carbon monoxide - a toxic gas.
    • Particulates - small solid particles containing carbon and unburnt fuel.
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Sulfur impurities

  • Sulfur is an impurity that is present in all fossil fuels.
    • Sulfur oxidises when burned. This produces the toxic gas sulfur dioxide.
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Internal combustion engines in cars

  • When fossil fuels are burned in a confined space, the high temperatures can cause nitrogen and oxygen to react.
    • This leads to the formation of toxic nitrogen oxides.
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Lead compounds

  • Lead compounds come from leaded petrol.
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Natural sources

  • Methane is generated from the decomposition of vegetation.
    • Methane is also generated as waste gases from digestion in animals

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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