Chemistry of the atmosphere – Pollution

Q1.
Coal is used as a fuel in power stations.

The table shows the percentage of carbon and sulfur in four different coal samples.
 
Percentage (%) by mass in coal
Sample
Carbon Sulfur

A 22.1 0.4

B 46.8 0.6

C 66.3 0.9

D 92.0 0.7

(a)     Sulfur produces a gas that causes acid rain.

Name the gas.

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(b)     Give one environmental effect caused by acid rain.

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(c)     Which coal sample produces the most acid rain from 1 kg of coal?

Use the table above.

Give a reason for your answer.

Sample __________

Reason ____________________________________________________________

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(2)

(d)     Calculate the mass of coal sample A that would produce the same amount of
carbon dioxide as 1 kg of coal sample C.

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Mass of coal sample A = ____________________ kg

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 (e)     Incomplete combustion of coal can produce carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas.

Give two reasons why people may be unaware of the presence of carbon
monoxide.

1. _________________________________________________________________

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2. _________________________________________________________________

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
Sulfur is a non-metal.

Sulfur burns in the air to produce sulfur dioxide, SO2

(a)     Why is it important that sulfur dioxide is not released into the atmosphere?

Tick (✔) one box.

Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain.

Sulfur dioxide causes global dimming.

Sulfur dioxide causes global warming.

(1)

(b)     Sulfur dioxide dissolves in water.

What colour is universal indicator in a solution of sulfur dioxide?

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(2)

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(c)     Sulfur dioxide is a gas at room temperature.

The bonding in sulfur dioxide is covalent.

Explain, in terms of its structure and bonding, why sulfur dioxide has a low boiling
point.

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(3)

(d)     In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information
clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.

Sulfur dioxide is produced when fossil fuels are burned.

It is important that sulfur dioxide is not released into the atmosphere.

Three of the methods used to remove sulfur dioxide from gases produced when
fossil fuels are burned are:

•        wet gas desulfurisation (W)

•        dry gas desulfurisation (D)

•        seawater gas desulfurisation (S).

Information about the three methods is given in the bar chart and in Table 1 and
Table 2.

                        Method of removing sulfur dioxide

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 Table 1
 
Method Material used How material is obtained

W Calcium carbonate, CaCO3 Quarrying

Calcium oxide, CaO Thermal decomposition of calcium

S Seawater From the sea

Table 2
 
Method What is done with waste material

Solid waste is sold for use in buildings.

D Solid waste is sent to landfill.

S Liquid waste is returned to the sea.

Evaluate the three methods of removing sulfur dioxide from waste gases.

Compare the three methods and give a justified conclusion.

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(6)

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 (Total 12 marks)

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