The concentrations of acidic carbon, nitrogen and sulphur oxides have been increasing since the Industrial Revolution.
Students learn to:
- identify oxides of non-metals which act as acids and describe the conditions under which they act as acids
- analyse the position of these non-metals in the Periodic Table and outline the relationship between position of elements in the Periodic Table and acidity/basicity of oxides
- define Le Chatelier’s principle
- identify factors which can affect the equilibrium in a reversible reaction
- describe the solubility of carbon dioxide in water under various conditions as an equilibrium process and explain in terms of Le Chatelier’s principle
- identify natural and industrial sources of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen
- describe, using equations, examples of chemical reactions which release sulfur dioxide and chemical reactions which release oxides of nitrogen
- assess the evidence which indicates increases in atmospheric concentration of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen
- calculate volumes of gases given masses of some substances in reactions, and calculate masses of substances given gaseous volumes, in reactions involving gases at 0˚C and 100kPa or 25˚C and 100kPa
- explain the formation and effects of acid rain
Students:
- identify data, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to decarbonate soft drink and gather data to measure the mass changes involved and calculate the volume of gas released at 25˚C and 100kPa
- analyse information from secondary sources to summarise the industrial origins of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen and evaluate reasons for concern about their release into the environment