Lesson 7 — Activity 3: The Result of Chemical Reactions
Completion requirements
Lesson 7 — Activity 3:
The Results of
Chemical Reactions
Explore
You know that technology has brought many improvements to our standard of living, but did you also know that some chemical reactions have some very harmful effects on our environment? This activity looks at some harmful effects of air pollution related to chemical reactions.
In every
chemical reaction, there are reactants and products. The reactants are
the elements present when the reaction begins, and the products are the
elements and compounds produced as a result of the reaction. Sometimes,
the products that are formed after a chemical reaction can be harmful to
our environment.
In every chemical reaction, there are reactants and products. The reactants are the elements present when the reaction begins, and the products are the elements and compounds produced as a result of the reaction. Sometimes, the products that are formed after a chemical reaction can be harmful to our environment.
We rely a
great deal on fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal to carry out many
of the activities we do every day. The vehicles we drive, the
industries we work in, the products we buy, the homes we live in, and
the food we eat are the result of chemical reactions that provide us
with the lifestyle we are used to. Unfortunately, some of the products
of these reactions are harmful to our environment.
We rely a
great deal on fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal to carry out many
of the activities we do every day. The vehicles we drive, the
industries we work in, the products we buy, the homes we live in, and
the food we eat are the result of chemical reactions that provide us
with the lifestyle we are used to. Unfortunately, some of the products
of these reactions are harmful to our environment.
Fossil fuels include natural gas and coal, as well as the more familiar fuels refined from crude oil, including gasoline, diesel, and fuel oils. The burning, or combustion, of fossil fuels is a major source of pollutants which contribute to smog, acid rain, climate change, and other health, environmental and economic concerns.
Two of the most serious problems that have resulted from industrial pollution are:
greenhouse gases
acid rain
Greenhouse
gases are the gases commonly released in combustion reactions such as
those in the engines in our cars or those that provide electricity to
power our homes, businesses, and factories. One of the products of this
combustion reaction is carbon dioxide, which is released into the air.
The problem with these carbon dioxide emissions (as well as other gases
such as methane released in other chemical reactions) is that heat has
more difficulty escaping from the earth's atmosphere — this leads to
global warming.
Greenhouse
gases are the gases commonly released in combustion reactions such as
those in the engines in our cars or those that provide electricity to
power our homes, businesses, and factories. One of the products of this
combustion reaction is carbon dioxide, which is released into the air.
The problem with these carbon dioxide emissions (as well as other gases
such as methane released in other chemical reactions) is that heat has
more difficulty escaping from the earth's atmosphere — this leads to
global warming.
Acid
rain (or, as scientists refer to it, acid deposition) is another
environmental problem related to chemical reactions. Acid rain also is
the result of the burning of fossil fuels. These combustion reactions
release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, and these gases react in the
atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to create acidic
compounds. These compounds are then carried by the wind and deposited up
to hundreds of kilometres from the factories where the emissions occur.
Acid rain (or, as scientists refer to it, acid deposition) is another environmental problem related to chemical reactions. Acid rain also is the result of the burning of fossil fuels. These combustion reactions release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, and these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to create acidic compounds. These compounds are then carried by the wind and deposited up to hundreds of kilometres from the factories where the emissions occur.
These acidic compounds have potentially devastating effects:
- In natural areas, acid rain can destroy life in forests, lakes, rivers, and streams. Remember that acids will lower the pH of soil and water, making it toxic to the plants and animals that live there.
- In towns and cities, acid rain can corrode metals, paint, and stone. It can also cause poor air quality (smog), which can have very harmful effects on people's health, causing heart and lung problems.
- In natural areas, acid rain can destroy life in forests, lakes, rivers, and streams. Remember that acids will lower the pH of soil and water, making it toxic to the plants and animals that live there.
- In towns and cities, acid rain can corrode metals, paint, and stone. It can also cause poor air quality (smog), which can have very harmful effects on people's health, causing heart and lung problems.
Humans need to look at the effects of the chemical reactions we use and think of ways that we can reduce the harm we are causing to our world.
Images courtesy of www.imagesgoogle.com