Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.
🔑Concepts
Deforestation: The large-scale removal of trees leads to a decrease in the release of oxygen () and an increase in carbon dioxide (), disrupting the atmospheric balance.
Global Warming: Human activities like burning fossil fuels increase the concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily and (methane), trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Air Pollution: The release of harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide (), nitrogen dioxide (), and carbon monoxide () from factories and vehicles contaminates the air.
Acid Rain: When and react with water vapour () in the clouds, they form acids that fall as rain, damaging soil and aquatic life.
Water Pollution: Discharge of untreated sewage and industrial chemicals into water bodies () harms aquatic ecosystems and human health.
Soil Erosion: The removal of vegetation cover leaves the soil exposed to wind and water, leading to the loss of fertile topsoil.
Conservation: Practicing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) helps in sustainable management of natural resources.
📐Formulae
💡Examples
Problem 1:
Explain why the concentration of increases when forests are cleared.
Solution:
Trees absorb for photosynthesis; fewer trees mean less is removed from the atmosphere.
Explanation:
During photosynthesis, plants take in and release . When trees are cut down (deforestation), this 'carbon sink' is lost, causing levels to rise.
Problem 2:
Which gas is primarily responsible for the Greenhouse Effect and what is its chemical notation?
Solution:
Carbon Dioxide, denoted as .
Explanation:
acts like a blanket in the atmosphere, allowing sunlight to enter but preventing heat from escaping back into space.
Problem 3:
How does contribute to environmental damage in the form of rain?
Solution:
reacts with to form acid rain ( or ).
Explanation:
Sulphur dioxide released from burning coal mixes with rain droplets in the sky to form weak acids, which can corrode buildings and kill plants.