10. Chemistry of the Environment

Chemical Tests for the Presence of Water Two anhydrous salts change colour when water is added to them, so they are used as simple chemical tests for the…

Substances Found in Water from Natural Sources Water from natural sources (rivers, lakes, seas) is never completely pure - it may contain any of the following:…

Treating the Domestic Water Supply Water from natural sources must be treated before it is safe to drink. Three stages are used: Stage What it does…

Fertilisers Ammonium salts and nitrates are used as fertilisers - for example, ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄). They dissolve readily…

Composition of Clean, Dry Air Gas Approximate percentage Nitrogen, N₂ 78% Oxygen, O₂ 21% Noble gases (mainly argon) and carbon dioxide, CO₂ remainder (~1%)…

How Greenhouse Gases Cause Global Warming (Supplement) The greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane cause global warming through the absorption, reflection…

Strategies to Reduce Climate Change Planting trees (they absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis) Reduction in livestock farming (livestock digestion is a major source…

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen, in the presence of chlorophyll and using energy…