Memory Anchor:

• Super Challenge:

  Stretch:

  Challenge:

Key Questions:

1. What human activity is the biggest contributor to an increase in atmospheric pollutants?
   • The combustion of fossil fuels is a major source of atmospheric pollutants.
2. What do most fuels contain?
   • Most fuels, including coal, contain carbon and/or hydrogen and may also contain some sulfur.
3. Name the gases commonly released into the atmosphere when a fuel is burned?
   • Carbon dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. Solid Particles and unburned hydrocarbons may also be released that form particulates in the atmosphere.
4. How does burning fuels produce carbon monoxide, soot (carbon particles), sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen?
   • Carbon monoxide is produced through incomplete combustion due to limited oxygen. Soot is produced from carbon that has not reacted during combustion. Sulfur dioxide is produced due to sulfur in the fuel reacting with oxygen in hot enginges. Nirtogen oxides are formed from nitrogen in the air reacting with oxygen.
5. What are the impacts of emissions of carbon monoxide?
   • Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas. It is colourless and odourless and so is not easily detected.
6. What environmental impact does the emission of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause?
   • Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause respiratory problems in humans and cause acid rain.
7. What environmental impact do particulates cause?
   • Particulates cause global dimming and health problems for humans.
8. Describe and explain the problems caused by increased amounts of the following pollutants in the atmosphere: a) Carbon Dioxide b) Nitrogen Oxides c) Sulfur Dioxide d) Particulates
   • a) Greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. b) Dissolves in water droplets in clouds, it makes the rain more acidic than normal. This is called acid rain. c) Same as b) d) Very small pieces of solids, mainly carbon, that are released into the air during incomplete combustion. Contribute towards global dimming (the reduction of sunlight that makes it to the earths surface).