CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.

Textbook: Chemistry in Context, 8th edition, Applying Chemistry to Society - A

Project of the American Chemical Society
Lecture script: available handouts do not represent complete lecture script
essential to complete provided material by individual notes during class final
lecture script will provide a study guide for this class
Calculator: without graphing abilities (recommendation: TI-30X IIS)
bring to every class and exam!
Forbidden: advanced graphing calculators with text storage capabilities (TI-82
series or higher), cellular phones, smart phones, tablet computer, laptops etc.
Homework: Online Assignments using Blackboard & Connect plus (graded) &
Grading scheme: Online Homework (20 %) + 2 course exams (25 % each) +
comprehensive final exam (30 %) no extra credit
Grading scale (Referring to weighed total percentages!):

Grade A A- B+ B B- C+
% 100-90 89-87 86-84 83-79 78-76 75-73
Grade C C- D+ D F
% 72-68 67-65 64-62 61-54 53-0 72-68

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 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

Use this page to make notes when the topics of Handout 1 are reviewed at the end.

Calculation between % and ppm

Conversion from scientific notation to decimal number (vice versa)
Balancing of chemical equations

Classification of matter: pure (elements & compounds) & mixtures (homogen.

& heterogen.)
Composition of atoms & how it relates to periodic table (mass #, atomic #, avg.
mass #)
Naming of binary compounds

Air: composition & atmospheric layers

What are pollutants? Types of air pollutants and their characteristics (CO,
O3, SO2, NOx, PM, indoor air poll.)
Risk assessment Toxicity & Exposure
National standards and relation to AQI

Reference text book chapter: Handout specific

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 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What are elements Elements and how man naturally occurring elements are there
on earth?
contain only one type of atom
90 naturally occurring rest artificially made

Definition of Compounds:
Composed of two or more different types of atoms bonded together with a fixed ratio

Definition of Mixtures:
contain more than one component
can be separated using physical means

What is a Homogeneous Mixture?

uniform, same composition throughout

What is a Heterogeneous Mixtures?

non-uniform, composition varies throughout

Reference text book chapter: 1.6 3

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

How can we classify matter and how does air fit into that scheme?
Matter can consist of:
1. Either: Pure substances
2. Or: Mixtures
Air is a mixture

Which part of the Air we breath is not considered by the given pie chart and how
much does this unconsidered part account for?
Water vapor is not considered
Content varies upon global location: between almost 0 and 5 %
Water vapor is a real gas and invisible to naked eye clouds and fog consist of
tiny droplets of liquid water

What do the percentages given in this pie chart relate to?

To volume: amount of space occupied by each component
Also: to number of atoms works because equal volumes of gases contain
equal number of particles

How does the composition of inhaled and exhaled air differ and why?
Exhaled air: 16 % oxygen & 4 % carbon dioxide
Oxygen absorbed into our blood used for chemical reactions that release
energy and produce carbon dioxide which is released into the air we exhale

Reference text book chapter: 1.1 4

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

Practice: Convert the following numbers from conventional decimal notation to

scientific notation and vice versa. (Solutions in textbook A-2)

Decimal Scientific Decimal Scientific

10,000 1 106
430 3.123 106
9876.54 25 105
0.000001 1 10-5
0.007 6.023 10-7
0.05339 1.723 10-16

Reference text book chapter: Appendix 2 5

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

When does it make sense to use ppm or even ppb when we talk about the
composition of air?
For so called: trace components that occur in very low concentrations
There harmless naturally occurring trace components like other noble gases:
helium, neon
Some trace components can be air pollutants

What are air pollutants?

harmful materials in Earth's atmosphere usually in very low concentration or
just trace amounts
causing diseases, allergies, death to humans, damage to other living organisms
such as animals and food crops

How can air pollutants be introduced into the atmosphere, where are they most
likely found?
Natural phenomena: volcanism introduces SO2, lighting can produce NO2,
wildfires
Man-made pollution (Anthropogenic): fossil fuel burning, industrial exhausts
Found everywhere on globe, but more likely to be encountered in large
metropolitan areas

o Practice the conversion between % and ppm!

Reference text book chapter: 1.2 6

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

In which atmospheric layers does Weather occur?

Basically just Troposphere only few types of clouds can reach higher

Which atmospheric layer contains the ozone layer?

Stratosphere in 20 to 30 km (12 to 19 mi)

What is the normal Temperature distribution in the Troposphere and under which
special circumstances can Air pollutants be accumulated?
Normally air is warmer closer to ground and colder in higher altitudes
Promotes mixing of air: warm air rises, cold air descends
Pollutant can accumulate in inverse Temperature distribution warm air above
cold air
Can occur in cities sourrounded by mountains
Air is stagnating for extended peride of time

Reference text book chapter: 1.5 7

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

How is CO produced and why is it harmful?

by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
Is absorbed by blood and interferes with bloods ability to bind oxygen
Dizziness, nausea, headache and death after longer exposure at higher concentrations

How is O3 produced and why is it harmful?

By influence of radiation or electric discharges on air
Reduces lung function even in low concentrations
Damages leaves and pine needles
In Troposphere a pollutant, in Stratosphere vital for filtering UV-radiation

How is SO2 produced and why is it harmful?

Primarily from burning coal
Forms an acid when reacting with moisture in lung tissue: lung damage

How is NO2 produced and why is it harmful?

Produced from Nitrogen monoxide (NO): a colorless gas
NO is produced by influence of extreme heat on air: vehicle engines, coal-fired
power plants
NO and NO2 can also form naturally in grain silos
Forms an acid when reacting with moisture in lung tissue: lung damage

Reference text book chapter: 1.2 8

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What is particulate matter and how does it differ from the other air pollutants?
Complex mixture of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets
Classified by average particle size rather than composition:
PM10 (10 m), PM2.5 (2.5 m fine particles)

How is PM produced and how does it show itself?

Many different sources: combustion processes, blowing dust
Can be visible as smoke or soot
PM10 and PM2.5 to tiny to see with naked eye

What are the dangers associated with PM?

The tinier the particles the deeper they penetrate into lungs and causing
irritation
Smallest particles can pass from lungs to blood causing heart problems

What does PM have to do with a Tequila Sunrise? (Info from: Fundamentals of

Microbiology, ISBN-13: 9781284057102 )
Storms blow desert dust (Gobi & Sahara) over ocean even reaches North
America
Sahara dust is reddish and blows westward over Atlantic between May &
October fiery orange sunrise in Caribbean and Florida
Dust is believed to carry pathogens like small bacteria and viruses over oceans

Reference text book chapter: 1.2 9

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What is meant by risk assessment? What does it mean if the concentration of a

pollutant is below the levels suggested in the air quality standards?
Process of evaluating scientific data and making predictions about probabilities
of a certain outcome in an organized manner
Presumably the air is healthy to breath
Beware: Standard change over time when new knowledge emerges and is
different for different countries

What influences the risk that a certain air pollutant poses to human health?
Toxicity: the intrinsic health hazard of a substance
Exposure: the amount of the substance encountered

Why is it difficult to accurately assess Toxicity?

Cant run experiments on people have to use animal models

Which factors does Exposure depend on?

Concentration in air: the more toxic, the lower concentration must be set
Length of time: Even at high concentrations pollutant might be tolerable for
short time, whereas they might not be tolerable at much lower concentration
but much longer time
Rate of breathing: depending on physical activity

Reference text book chapter: 1.3 10

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

How is the AQI related to U.S.-national standards of air pollutants?

AQI of 100 is pegged to national standard

How is the AQI used to report air quality?

General report
When a report is given as moderate it means that at least one air pollutant is
moderate, but maybe more
Reporting an average AIQ between several pollutants
Detailed report
Reports of each pollutant separately

Which legislations helped to improve air quality in the U.S.?

Clean Air Act: introduced in 1960 extendend in 1970s
Established national air quality standards
Lead to formation of EPA
Pollution Prevention Act: 1990
Pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever possible
Lead to idea of Green Chemistry

What do we mean by Green Chemistry.

A set of key ideas to guide all in chemical community (industry & academia)
(Re)Designing chemical processes to reduce the use/ generation of hazardous
substances

Reference text book chapter: 1.4, 1.5 11

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What are chemical symbols?

One- or two-letter abbreviations for elements
Internationally used
Origin in names of elements in different languages (mostly Latin)

How can we describe the periodic table of elements?

Orderly arrangement of all elements based on similarities in their properties

There are two different way to assign group numbers in the periodic table:
Older notation: separates into two groups:
1A, 2A, 3A to 8A are called: Main Groups
3B to 7B, 8B, 1B, 2B are called: Subgroups or Transition Metals
Newer notation: consecutive numbering from 1 18

Group can also be identified by topmost element (except H)

3A (13): boron-group, 4A (14): carbon-group

Important trivial group names:

1A (1) excluding hydrogen: Alkali metals
2A (2): Alkaline earth metals
7A (17): Halogens
8A (18): Noble gases

Reference text book chapter: 1.6 12

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

Subatomic particles (p+, n0, e-):

do not differ in between different elements

Nucleus:
Very dense, contributes to almost all of atoms mass
Sum of all p+ and n0 of an atom

Atomic shell:
Very low density, contributes to most of atoms volume
Sum of all e- of an atom
e- constantly moving, hard to pinpoint Electron Cloud

Nice to know:
Volume comparison: if nucleus grain of table salt, then atomic shell would be size
of a hot air balloon (10,000 times larger)
Mass comparison: p+ n0 more than 1700 times more massive than e-

Reference text book chapter: 1.7 and Handout specific 13

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

Atomic number:
number of p+ in nucleus
Elements listed in the periodic table according to their Atomic number
If two atoms have different atomic numbers, these two atoms are different
elements! If they have the same atomic number, they are the same element!
Elements are neutrally charged,
which means: Number of protons equals number of electrons
Atomic mass number:
Sum of protons and neutrons
Elements are defined by their atomic number
Which means: By the number of protons
Atoms of the same element can contain a different number of neutrons
Which means: Atoms of the same element can have different atomic mass
numbers
Isotopes:
Atoms of the same element with different number of neutrons
Average Atomic Mass:
This is the number you will find in the periodic table of elements
Mass of an average atom of an element taking into account the relative
abundance of each naturally existing isotope
Carbon-12: 98.93%, Carbon-13: 1.07%, Carbon-14: few ppt
Average Atomic Mass of Carbon is 12.01

Reference text book chapter: Handout only 14

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

Compound: pure substance containing two or more elements chemically combined

Composition represented in chemical formulas: H2O, NaCl, Al2O3
Subscripts indicate elemental ratio absence of subscript means 1

What is a molecule?
Basic unit of a compound
Consists of two (or more) atoms held together by chemical bonds
Molecules have fixed compositions

Reference text book chapter: 1.7 15

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

Some compounds have common (trivial) names like water for H2O. What is the
trivial name of NH3 and CH4?
NH3: Ammonia
CH4: Methane

Try to name the following compound or find the correct formula for the stated name.
CO2 Carbon Dioxide (omit mono for first element)

SF6 Sulfur hexafluoride

N2O Dinitrogen monoxide

P2O5 Diphosphorous pentaoxide

H2S Dihydrogen sulfide

H2O2 Dihydrogen dioxide (hydrogen peroxide)

CBr4 Carbon tetrabromide

NF3 Nitrogen trioxide

Reference text book chapter: 1.8 16

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

How are chemical and mathematical equations related?

Both sides of an equation have to be balanced
Number of atoms of each element on one side of arrow has to be the same as
on the other side of arrow
This relationship is known as: Law of conservation of matter and mass

Practice problem: Phosphorous atoms and oxygen molecules react to form

diphosphorous pentaoxide

+
+

P O P O
1 25 22 52
14 10 4 10
4 10 4 10

Reference text book chapter: 1.9 17

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What can happen when a combustion happens with lower oxygen supply?
Incomplete combustion
2 + 17 16 + 18
Usually a mixture between complete and incomplete combustion occurs and
produces a mixture of CO2 and CO

Which products can be produced during fuel combustion in a car engine?

Mixture of CO2, CO, NOx and hydrocarbons

Reference text book chapter: 1.10 18

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What do we mean by VOCs and NOx?

VOCs: Volatile organic compounds: carbon containing compounds that pass
easily into vapor phase
NOx: burning air predominantly forms NO through secondary reactions in
air NO2 is formed
Hence, usually a mixture between NO and NO2 with unknown ratio

What is a catalyst and which reactions does a catalytic converter promote?

Catalyst: takes part in chemical reaction and influences it without itself
undergoing permanent change
In catalytic converters: tiny particles of precious metals (Rh, Pt)
Reactions promoted:
1. NOx converted back into O2 and N2
2. CO reacts with O2 to form CO2
3. VOCs react with O2 to from CO2 and H2O

What impact did the introduction of the requirement of catalytic converters in the
1970s have on air pollution?
CO-levels have been remarkably reduced
NOx-levels are still posing a problem due to more complicated production
pathways

Reference text book chapter: 1.11 19

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What does coal consist of?

Mainly carbon with 1-3 % of sulfur together with small amounts of minerals
(tiny rocks)

What is an Aerosol?
Liquid/ solid particles that remain suspended in air rather than settling down

What other effect do the tiny ash particles have?

When humidity is high helps condense water vapor and form tiny droplets
In these tiny droplets sulfuric acid can form:
+
Acid rain & damaging to lung tissue when inhaled

How has SO2-pollution developed in the last decades?

Emissions were Strongly reduced (20 t/year in 1985, now ~9 t/year)
Due to mandated reductions as part of Clean Air Act (1970) and Pollution
Prevention act in 1990

What is another large scale source of SO2?

Mining industry: Smelting of Silver or Copper ores
+ 2 +

Reference text book chapter: 1.11 20

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What is the process of ground-level ozone production?

Multiple reactions involving other air pollutants like VOCs or NO2
VOCs can promote formation of NO2 from NO in multi-step process
NO2 decomposes under prolonged intense sunlight exposure:
!"#$%&
+
Oxygen atom are highly reactive and react to form ozone
+

What happens to the built-up ozone at night?

sharp drop-off in O3-concentration after sundown
Ozone is highly reactive and reacts with many things (including animal and plant
tissue)

Which areas are prone to severe ozone built-up?

Sunny and dry metropolitan areas

What can be a source of indoor ozone built-up in small, badly ventilated rooms?
Laser printers or copiers Electric discharges and intense light sources can
cause ozone to build up

Reference text book chapter: 1.12 21

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

What types of VOCs can be

released from paint and
varnishes?
Antifreeze agents: also
provide longer open
times to prevent fast
drying
Coalescents: used in latex
paint to form films of
continuous thickness
Solvents: used as thinners
in oil-based paints

What influences the built-up of indoor air pollutant?

Ventilation especially of concern in modernized, well insulated houses

What are typical pollutant that can be filtered during outside air intake?
larger PM like pollen, soot or dust
doesnt work for gaseous pollutant

Reference text book chapter: 1.13 22

 CHEM 10030: Chemistry in our World - Handout No.1

Review: When you divide two numbers in scientific notation you have to subtract
the exponents (for multiplication you add the exponents to on another).
10
= 10( +() = 10 (
10(

The concept of significant figures

Every real life measurement has a certain accuracy number of significant
figures represents how accurate a measurement is
In this context: 18 1016 which equals 1.8 1017 was rounded to 2 1017
significant figure was reduced from two to just one

Reference text book chapter: 1.14 23