Air Summary ('N' Level and 'O' Level combined science chemistry)

1. Percentage composition of gases in air

 Nitrogen - 78%
 Oxygen - 21%
 Other gases: Noble gases (mainly argon; 0.97%) + carbon dioxide (0.03%) - 1%

2. Common atmospheric pollutants: source(s) + effect(s) on health and/or the environment

Pollutant Source(s) Effect(s) on health and/or the environment
Carbon Incomplete combustion of carbon- Health effects:
monoxide, CO containing substances - Combines permanently with haemoglobin, which
will reduce the red blood cells' efficiency in
transporting oxygen around the body
- May cause headaches, fatigue and death

Methane, CH4 1) Decay of plant and animal matter Environmental effect:

- It is a greenhouse gas, so it contributes to global
2) Natural gas warming.

Oxides of 1) Inside combustion engines of cars 1) Environmental effect:

nitrogen - In car engines where temperature is high:
(NO and NO2) N2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2NO (g)
- Nitrogen monoxide, NO, will further react
to form nitrogen dioxide, NO2:
2NO (g) + O2 (g) → 2NO2 (g)
2) Lightning activity during storms
- Only NO2 can dissolve in water to form acid rain
(Acid rain corrodes/destroys buildings, plants and
aquatic life)
2) Health effects:
- NO and NO2 irritate eyes
- NO and NO2 cause breathing difficulties

Sulfur 1) Combustion of fossil fuels in motor 1) Environmental effect:

dioxide, SO2 vehicles, power stations and factories.
Fossil fuels contain sulfur and burns to
form SO2:
S (s) + O2 (g) → SO2 (g)
2) Released during volcanic eruptions
- Dissolves in water to form acid rain (Acid rain
corrodes/destroys buildings, plants & aquatic life)
2) Health effects:
- Irritate eyes
- Cause breathing difficulties

Unburned 1) Car exhaust fumes 1) Environmental effect:

hydrocarbons - React with oxides of nitrogen in the presence of
2) Chemical plants sunlight to produce ozone.

2) Health effect:
- Carcinogenic (may cause cancer)

Ozone, O3 Formed when oxides of nitrogen react Environmental effect:

with unburned hydrocarbons in the - Main component of photochemical smog
presence of sunlight

© Yvonne Goh (2017)