CIE IGCSE Chemistry

Topic Questions

10.2 Air Quality & Climate

11 mark

Clean air contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and some noble gases. Which row correctly states the percentages of each gas present in clean, unpolluted air?

 

% O2 

% N2 

% CO2 & noble gases 

A

20

78

2

B

21

78

1

C

19

79

2

D

20

79

1

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21 mark

Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide are all air pollutants. Which row correctly describes the major source of each pollutant?

 

NO2 

SO2 

CO

A

car engines

power stations

respiration

B

power stations

car engines

car engines

C

respiration

power stations

car engines

D

car engines

power stations

car engines

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31 mark

Human activities are contributing to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

Which two human activities contribute to the release of methane?

  • Deforestation and cattle farming

  • Burning fossil fuels and deforestation 

  • Cattle farming and sending rubbish to landfill

  • Sending rubbish to landfill and deforestation

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41 mark

Separate: Chemistry Only

Which words complete the gaps 1 & 2 in the word equation for photosynthesis?

carbon dioxide +                 1                →                 2                + oxygen

  1 2
 A water hydrogen
 B glucose water
 C hydrogen carbon monoxide
 D water glucose

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51 mark

Human activities increase the level of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

Which row correctly shows the effect of each of these gases in our atmosphere?

  Oxides of nitrogen Sulfur dioxide Carbon dioxide
A global warming respiratory problems photochemical smog
B acid rain photochemical smog respiratory problems
C photochemical smog acid rain global warming
D respiratory problems global warming acid rain

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11 mark

Internal combustion engines produce oxides of nitrogen which are pollutants. Which statement about oxides of nitrogen is correct?

  • Oxides of nitrogen are formed by the reaction of fuel with nitrogen.

  • Oxides of nitrogen are formed by the reaction of exhaust gases with air.

  • Catalytic converters remove oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts by oxidation.

  • Catalytic converters remove oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts by reduction.

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21 mark

Oxides, XO and YO2 are released into the air from power stations and car exhausts. 

What are X and Y?

  X Y
A carbon and nitrogen carbon and nitrogen only
B carbon and nitrogen carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur 
C carbon only sulfur only
D carbon only sulfur and nitrogen only

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31 mark

Flue gas desulfurisation uses calcium oxide to reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide.

Which statements are correct?

1 Sulfur dioxide is a basic oxide
2 Sulfur dioxide is responsible for the production of acid rain 
3 Calcium oxide reacts with acids
4 Sulfur dioxide emissions can also be reduced by using low sulfur fuels

  • 1, 2 and 3 

  • 1 and 2 only

  • 1, 3 and 4

  • 2, 3 and 4

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41 mark

Extended Only

Which of the following equations would not occur inside a catalytic converter?

  • 2NO → N2 + O2

  • N2 + 2CO2 → 2NO + 2CO

  • 2NO2 → N2 + 2O2

  • 2CO + O2 → 2CO2

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5
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1 mark

Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only

Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction in which carbon dioxide and water react to form glucose and oxygen

What is the maximum mass of glucose that can be produced from 40 cm3 of carbon dioxide?

  • 0.05 g

  • 0.30 g

  • 50 g

  • 300 g

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11 mark

Four chemical processes are described below. Which reactions contribute to global warming?

1 Reacting hydrochloric acid with magnesium carbonate.
2 The complete combustion of propane.
3 Heating calcium carbonate.
4 Reacting sodium hydroxide with magnesium carbonate.
  • 1, 2 & 3

  • 1 & 4

  • 1, 3 & 4

  • All 4

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21 mark

Petrol engines produce pollutants as a by-product of internal combustion. Catalytic converters are fitted to cars to reduce the level of pollution they produce in their exhaust gases.

Which statement about this process is not correct?

  • Nitrogen and oxygen react to produce nitrogen dioxide.

  • Carbon monoxide undergoes oxidation in the catalytic converter.

  • Carbon monoxide is formed when petrol undergoes complete combustion.

  • Nitrogen monoxide undergoes reduction in the catalytic converter.

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31 mark

Which row correctly shows two ways of reducing the formation of acid rain?

A Use a catalytic convertor Reduce the amount of livestock farming
B Plant more trees Use fuels containing low levels of sulfur
C Use fuels containing low levels of sulfur Use a catalytic convertor
D Reduce the amount of livestock farming Plant more trees

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41 mark

The table below shows the composition of the atmosphere found on a new planet. 

gas percentage by volume
nitrogen 74
carbon dioxide 4
oxygen 22

Which gases are present in the atmosphere of the planet in a lower percentage than they are in the Earth's atmosphere? 

  • oxygen and carbon dioxide

  • nitrogen and oxygen

  • nitrogen only

  • carbon dioxide only

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51 mark

Which strategy for reducing the effect of environmental issues would not help reduce climate change?

  • Reduce the amount of livestock farming

  • Plant more trees

  • Fit catalytic convertors on vehicles

  • Use renewable energy resources 

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