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Atmospheric pollutants

Atmospheric pollutants

The main atmospheric pollutants from burning fuels have these sources and effects:

  • Carbon monoxide: produced by incomplete combustion when oxygen is limited. It is toxic because it reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
  • Soot particulates: produced by incomplete combustion. They can enter the lungs and cause respiratory problems. Separately, soot particles in the atmosphere reflect sunlight and cause global dimming.
  • Sulfur dioxide: produced when sulfur impurities in fuels burn. It can cause respiratory problems and dissolve in rainwater, contributing to acid rain.
  • Nitrogen oxides: formed when nitrogen and oxygen in the air react at the high temperatures inside engines and furnaces. They can contribute directly to photochemical smog. Separately, they can form nitric acid in rain and contribute to acid rain.

6.3.3 Sources and problems of atmospheric pollutants Lesson

  1. GCSE
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /6.3.3 Sources and problems of atmospheric pollutants

Step-by-step lessons on OCR GCSE Chemistry 6.3.3 Sources and problems of atmospheric pollutants. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Nail the core quantitative topics — moles, balancing equations and calculations — early on, since they underpin higher-tier questions across every paper and topic.

Lessons