Advanced notice homework 1

Name: ...............................................................
Exam preparation for the
advanced notice material

Due date:......

Exam questions concerning the advanced notice material are worth 20 % of the F332 exam
paper. Firstly, read the advanced notice material, titled Atmospheric Nitrogen: Out of Thin Air.
(Note: you will have a copy of this article in the exam). Then answer the following questions.
1.

Natural processes in the air can control the concentrations of some types of atmospheric
pollutants.
(a)

The increased use of cars in the twentieth century is one reason for the increase in
NOx emissions.
Explain the origin of these NOx emissions.
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[2]

(b)

Give two reasons why NOx is classed as a polluting gas.

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[2]

2.

Scientists monitor the composition of the Earths atmosphere. They have found that the
concentration of N2O has increased from 285ppbv to around 310ppbv between 1900 and
the present day.
Taking the present day value to be 310ppbv, calculate the increase in the percentage of
N2O in the air between 1900 and the present day.

increase in N2O concentration = ....................................... %

[1]

3.

There is considerable concern over rising NOx levels that most scientists think are
causing photochemical smog.
(a)

Suggest one design feature that could be used to make cars that produce less NOx
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[1]

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(b)

Greenhouse gases like ozone absorb infrared radiation in the troposphere. Explain
the source of this infrared radiation and suggest what happens to a molecule of
ozone when it absorbs this radiation.
In your answer you should make clear how your explanation links with the chemical
theory.
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[5]

4.

Suggest one disadvantage of a build-up of tropospheric ozone.

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[1]

5.

Scientists have worked out how the atmosphere of the Earth is likely to have changed in
composition since the Earth formed. Some of this information has come from the
analysis of air bubbles that have been trapped in Antarctic ice.
Early in the Earths history the atmosphere is thought to have contained large amounts of
methane and carbon dioxide. These are present in our current atmosphere in small
percentages.
(i)

Name the two most abundant gases in the troposphere (lower atmosphere) today.
............................................................... and ...............................................................
[2]

(ii)

Our troposphere also contains some trace components that are pollutants. These
include some compounds of nitrogen. Complete the table below to show two
nitrogen containing pollutants each of which results from a different human
activity.
name of pollutant

human activity

compound
(i)
compound
(ii)
[4]

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(iii)

In this question, one mark is available for the quality of use and organisation of
scientific terms.
Explain how the release of NOx at the Earths surface damages the ozone layer
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[5]

6.

(i)

Radiation that hits the Earth is re-emitted as infrared radiation. Where does the
radiation that hits the Earth come from? Where does this radiation fit in the
electromagnetic spectrum?
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[2]

(ii)

What happens to ozone molecules when they absorb infrared radiation and how
does this result in a warming of the troposphere?
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[2]

7.

(i)

Ammonia molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other.

What features of the ammonia molecule cause it to undergo hydrogen bonding
with other ammonia molecules?
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[2]

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(ii)

Ammonia is very soluble in water because of the hydrogen bonds formed between
ammonia molecules and water molecules.
Draw a diagram showing an ammonia molecule hydrogen bonded to a water
molecule. Include lone pairs and partial charges ( and ).
[3]

8.

The atmosphere is a complex mixture of chemical substances, some of which are

pollutants.
(a)

In the table below, give the names of the three most abundant gases in the
troposphere (lower atmosphere).
Assume that the air is dry.
name of gas

concentration (by
volume) %
78
21
1
[3]

(b)

In unpolluted air, oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2) are present in a concentration of
about 0.003 parts per million by volume. Express 0.003 ppm as a percentage.

answer ........................................ %
[2]

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9.

Nitrogen gas accounts for 99.9999% of atmospheric nitrogen. N2O accounts for 99% of
the remainder. Express the N2O concentration in the atmosphere in ppm.

answer ........................................ %
10.

Molecular nitrogen is unreactive in the first 100km of the Earths atmosphere. Explain
why this is so.
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11.

Draw the dot cross diagram for the N2 molecule and explain what the in the structure
means

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12.

Give the oxidation state of nitrogen in each of the following molecules

species

N2

NO2

HNO3

NO

NH3

Oxidation
state
13.
(a) Give the systematic name for NO

(b) Give the systematic name for NO2

(c) Give the full structural formula of urea, (NH2)2CO

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14.

Describe the bonding in ammonium sulphate and explain why it is likely to form aerosols
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15.

Considering the equation

NH4+ + 3O2 2NO2- + 2H2O + 4H+

Species oxidised

reason

Species reduced

reason

16.

Where does ozone in the troposphere come from?

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17.

Ozone is described as a molecule with three oxygen atoms and a similar shape to water.
Explain the shape of ozone
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18.

Explain why NO and NO2 display diurnal cycles

19.

In the troposphere, in the presence of volativle organic compounds, NOx can promote the
formation of ozone. Suggest the formula of a volatile organic compound, its source and
a method of controlling its formation.
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Long Road Sixth Form College

20.

Explain why lightening contributes to the formation of NOx

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21.

Nitrogen containing compounds in the atmosphere arise from anthropogenic sources.

Give the ways in which human activities contribute to the formation of these nitrogen
containing compounds, the effects of nitrogen containing pollutants and ways of
minimising their formation.
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Long Road Sixth Form College

22.

Draw dot cross diagrams for

N2

N2O

NH3

NH4+

Mark (

):

To improve:

Alomst certain we will get a question on the 'diurnal cycles of gases in the atmosphere.' Basically,
early in the day NO/NO2 increases due to rush hour and the resulting combustion of fossil fuels in
car engines. These can be photo dissociated by the sun and produce oxygen radicals, which then
react with oxygen molecules to form ozone. Therefore, shortly afterwards the ozone concentration
in the atmosphere increases, alongside the increase in PANS. this is the chemistry involved in a
photochemical smog- I'm guessing 'photo' is because it's initiated by the photodissocation by light
to form radicals?

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