Textbook Question
Show how Equations 18.7 and 18.9 can be added to give Equation 18.10.
Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment
Chapter 18, Problem 67
(a) What is the difference between a CFC and an HFC?
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand that both CFCs and HFCs are types of refrigerants or compounds used in various industrial applications, but they differ in their chemical composition and environmental impact.
Step 2: Recognize that CFC stands for chlorofluorocarbon, which means these compounds contain chlorine (Cl), fluorine (F), and carbon (C) atoms in their molecular structure.
Step 3: Note that HFC stands for hydrofluorocarbon, which means these compounds contain hydrogen (H), fluorine (F), and carbon (C) atoms, but importantly, they do not contain chlorine.
Step 4: Understand the environmental significance: CFCs contribute to ozone layer depletion because of the chlorine atoms, while HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer but can be potent greenhouse gases.
Step 5: Summarize the difference by stating that the key distinction is the presence of chlorine in CFCs (which affects the ozone layer) versus its absence in HFCs, which makes HFCs less harmful to the ozone but still relevant for global warming.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
CFCs are compounds composed of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms. They were widely used as refrigerants and propellants but are harmful to the ozone layer because chlorine atoms catalyze ozone depletion in the stratosphere.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
HFCs contain carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine atoms but no chlorine. They were developed as alternatives to CFCs to avoid ozone depletion, as they do not release chlorine atoms that damage the ozone layer.
Environmental Impact and Ozone Depletion
The key environmental difference between CFCs and HFCs lies in their effect on the ozone layer. CFCs contribute to ozone depletion due to chlorine release, while HFCs do not harm the ozone but may have high global warming potential.
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Textbook Question
Natural gas consists primarily of methane, CH4(g). (a) Write balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of methane to produce CO2(g) as the only carbon-containing product.
Textbook Question
Natural gas consists primarily of methane, CH4(g). (b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the incomplete combustion of methane to product CO(g) as the only carbon-containg product.
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