Atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth.
The three main chemical components present in air are Nitrogen, Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide.
Trace amounts means only a very tiny concentration of gas is present.
An element is made up of 1 type of atom. A compound is made up of 2 or more types of atom that are chemically bonded. A mixture also contains more than 2 or more type of atoms but they cannot be chemically bonded.
A pollutant is a waste matter that contaminates the water, air, or soil.
The three fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gases.
We should worried about fossil fuels because we consume it a lot and it is predicted that it can run out in 40 years. Fossil fuels take 1000 years to form.
Methane - CH4.
Complete combustion is when hydrocarbons combusts with a sufficient amount of oxygen to produce CO2 and H20.
Incomplete combustion is when hydrocarbons combusts with an insufficient amount of oxygen to form poisonous gases like CO instead of CO2.
Complete combustion: fuel + oxygen = water + carbon dioxide.
Incomplete combustion: fuel + oxygen = water + carbon monoxide.
Air pollution can cause health problems like asthma and bronchitis.
One way carbon dioxide is taken out from the air is by photosynthesis. Plants take carbon dioxide in to make food and they release oxygen out as waste. Another way is when it dissolves in rain water and sea water, but this can make rain water slightly acidic and the ocean becomes a huge reservoir of dissolved carbon dioxide.
Power stations burn fossil fuels for energy which also releases carbon dioxide in the air.
You can reduce pollution from a power station by using less energy and burning less fossil fuels.
The exhaust gases given out by a motor vehicle increases pollution.
These can be reduced by: 1) Using low sulphur fuels. 2) Burning less fuel by having more efficient engines. 3) Using catalytic converters, which convert nitrogen monoxide to nitrogen and oxygen, and