Topic 5 Air

Basic Questions
Basic Question 1
Topic 5

Know conditions needed for nail rusting

The experiment shown below was set up in the laboratory.

Which of the test tubes had the highest level of water after three weeks?
1

[-A-] 1 only
[-B-] 2 only
[-C-] 3 only
[-D-] 4 only
[-E-] 3 and 4 only
Basic Question 2
Topic 5

Know pollutant from combustion of fuel

a) The pollutants that might be found in the car exhaust fumes are:
1) Sulphur dioxide
2) Carbon monoxide
3) Carbon dioxide
4) Oxides of nitrogen
Which of the above gases are products of combustion of fuel?
[-A-] 1 only
[-B-] 2 only
[-C-] 2 and 3 only
[-D-] 2, 3 and 4 only
[-E-] 1, 2, 3 and 4
b) Which of the above gases are products of combustion of fossil fuel?
[-A-] 1 only
[-B-] 2 only
[-C-] 2 and 3 only
[-D-] 2, 3 and 4 only
[-E-] 1, 2, 3 and 4
1

GT

Basic Question 3
Topic 5

Identify components of clean air

Which of the following substances is not a pollutant of clean air?

[-A-]
Sulphur dioxide
[-B-]
Carbon monoxide
[-C-]
Carbon dioxide
[-D-]
Nitrogen dioxide
[-E-]
Argon
Basic Question 4
Topic 5
Identify composition of air from a given pie chart

The pie chart below represents the composition of air

What is gas X ?
[-A-] Argon
[-B-] Nitrogen
[-C-] Oxygen
[-D-] Carbon dioxide
[-E-] Hydrogen
Basic Question 5
Topic 5

Know role of argon in light bulbs

The diagram below is a diagram for a light bulb.

Argon is used instead of air to fill the light bulb because:
[-A-] The filament lasts for a longer period of time.
[-B-] The filament glows brighter.
[-C-] Argon is more reactive than helium
[-D-] Argon is a good conductor of electricity
[-E-] Argon is more reactive than air
Basic Question 6
Topic 5
Know that carbon dioxide and methane are green house gases
The following gases are listed:
i.
methane
ii.
carbon dioxide
iii. carbon monoxide
iv.
sulphur dioxide
Basic Question 7
Topic 5
Application on Catalytic converter

A catalytic converter removes harmful gases from motor car exhausts.

2

Which reaction does not take place in a catalytic converter?

[-A-]
[-B-]
[-C-]
[-D-]
[-E-]
Basic Question 8
Topic 5

2CO + O2 2CO2
N2 + 2CO2 2NO + 2CO
2CO + O2 2CO2

2NO2 N2 + 2O2
2NO2 + 4CO N2 + 4CO2

Know how to calculate original volume of air given volume of

gas left at end of reaction

When dry air is passes over hot copper till all the oxygen reacted.
The volume of the gas at the end of the reaction is 120 cm3

What is the original volume of dry air at the beginning of the experiment?
[-A-]
124 cm3
[-B-]
132 cm3
[-C-]
150 cm3
[-D-]
180 cm3
[-E-]
500 cm3
Explanation
Volume of oxygen in air is 21 %
21 cm3 oxygen in 100 cm3 air
x cm3 reacted in 120 + x cm3 air

x = 30

This means that the volume of air is 120 + 30 = 150 cm3

Basic Question 9
Topic 5

Know composition and pollutants of air, their source and

method of removal.

(a) The composition of pure air is 21 % oxygen and 78 % nitrogen.

(i) Name another gaseous elements in pure air.
Argon, krypton or helium
(ii)

Name two compounds in pure air.

Water and carbon dioxide

(b) From the common pollutant of air, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide.
(i) Give the name of another pollutant of air.
Sulphur dioxide, lead compounds of CFCs, methane, unburnt hydrocarbons or particulates
or ozone
(ii)

Explain how carbon monoxide is formed.

By the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels or any carbon containing fuel.

(iii)

Explain how the oxides of nitrogen are formed.

In petrol engines, sparks (or high temperature) are used to ignite the petrol. These sparks
cause nitrogen and oxygen in the air to react to produce oxides of nitrogen.

(iv)

Explain how a catalytic converter decreases the emission of the mentioned gases.
Catalytic converters are used to help to minimize the release of these toxic gases.
1. Carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide (oxidized by oxides of nitrogen)
2. Oxides of nitrogen are converted to nitrogen (reduced by carbon monoxide)
3. Hydrocarbons react with oxygen and are converted to carbon dioxide and water.

Typical reactions are

carbon monoxide + oxygen carbon dioxide.
2CO(g) + O2(g) 2CO2(g)
carbon monoxide + nitrogen monoxide
carbon dioxide + nitrogen.
2CO(g) + 2NO(g) 2CO2(g) + N2(g)
hydrocarbons + nitrogen monoxide carbon dioxide + nitrogen + water.
Basic Question 10
Topic 5

Application on rusting

An experiment was prepared to examine the rusting of iron as shown below.

(a) What is the appearance of iron after rusting?

They will be reddish brown
(b)
(i)
(ii)

The water rises up the tube because it replaces the oxygen that has been used up in rusting.
150 -125
100 = 16.6% )
The percentage change in the volume of the tube is 16.6 to 17% (
150

(c) What is the difference observed if:

(i)

The iron nail is suspended in the tube rather than using iron fillings.
The formation of rust is slower.

(ii)

The water contained a salt.

Basic Question 11
Topic 5

No effect

Know how is acid rain formed and its effect on plants, animals
and humans

Rain water is said to be slightly acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide dissolved in it.
The word equation showing the acidity of acid rain is
carbon dioxide + water carbonic acid
The acidity of acid rain is due to other pollutant gases in the atmosphere that also dissolve in water
a) What is the acid formed when sulfur dioxide reacts with water?
Sulfurous acid, H2SO3
b) Name another pollutant gas that leads to the formation of acid rain.
Oxides of nitrogen, NOx or nitrogen dioxide, NO2
c) Acid rain leads to two problem, these are
1. Acid rain reacts with iron or steel objects thus they corrode or rust.
2. Acid rain reacts with carbonate in marble and limestone (calcium carbonate) where the stone
buildings and statues erode and get damaged.
5

3. Acid rain reduces the pH of natural water bodies which leads to death of fish and other
aquatic life.
4. Acid rain damages plants and leads to the stunted growth and death of plants.
5. Leaching of vital minerals out of the soil and hence causes trees to die.

Basic Question 12
Topic 5

Know how is acid rain formed and its effect on plants, animals
and humans

The diagram shows a limestone column in an industrial town. Limestone is largely calcium carbonate.
iron pins

column when first built

the same column after 40 years

Describe and explain the changes to the column over 40 years. In your answer refer to
*the change to the limestone,
*the name of a pollutant causing this change,
*the chemistry involved in this change.
Any four from:
column becomes eroded / column is being eaten away
sulfur from burning of fossil fuels
(forms) sulfur dioxide / nitrogen dioxide
sulfur dioxide / nitrogen dioxide (dissolved in rainwater)
to form acid rain / acidic solution formed
acid reacts with the limestone / acid decomposes limestone
carbon dioxide given off
calcium sulfate formed

Basic Question 13
Topic 5

Application on Catalytic converter

Nowadays, hydrogen is being used as a fuel for cars to reduce air pollution. Petrol that is used as fuel for cars
is the major source of air pollution. This pollution can be reduced using the reaction below:
2CO + 2NO N2 + 2CO2
a) Where in the car does this reaction take place?
6

In the catalytic converter that is fitted to the car exhaust system.

b) How is carbon monoxide formed in the car engine?
By the incomplete combustion of petrol in the car.
c) Why does the hydrogen powered car produce less pollution?
Hydrogen used as a fuel does not produce pollution or contribute to global warming because the
only product of combustion is water.

Sample Questions
Sample Question 1
Know the % percentage composition of air.
List the different gases present in air in order of decreasing abundance. Give the approximate percentage of
each gas.
Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (0.9 %), Carbon dioxide (0.04 %), Water (Traces)
Sample Question 2
Know which of the noble gases has the highest % in air.
Which of the noble gases has the highest percentage in air?
Argon, Ar
Sample Question 3
Know some common pollutants of air.
What are the common pollutants of air?
Carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, lead compounds and sulphur dioxide.
Sample Question 4
Know best conditions for rusting.
What conditions will favor best the rusting of an iron nail?
Rusting requires both oxygen (from the air) and water.
Sample Question 5
Know greenhouse gases
List the greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide, CO2 and methane, CH4