Problem 1b
At 273 K and 1 atm pressure, 1 mol of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 L. (Section 10.4) (b) Looking at Figure 18.1, we see that the temperature is lower at 85 km altitude than at 50 km. Does this mean that one mole of an ideal gas would occupy less volume at 85 km than at 50 km? Explain.
Problem 1c
At 273 K and 1 atm pressure, 1 mol of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 L. (Section 10.4) (c) In which parts of the atmosphere would you expect gases to behave most ideally (ignoring any photochemical reactions)? [Section 18.1]
- Molecules in the upper atmosphere tend to contain double and triple bonds rather than single bonds. Suggest an explanation. [Section 18.1]
Problem 2
Problem 3d
The figure shows the three lowest regions of Earth's atmo- sphere.
(d) An aurora borealis is due to excitation of atoms and molecules in the atmosphere 55–95 km above Earth's surface. Which regions in the figure are involved in an aurora borealis?
Problem 4
You are working with an artist who has been commissioned to make a sculpture for a big city in the eastern United States. The artist is wondering what material to use to make her sculpture because she has heard that acid rain in the eastern United States might destroy it over time. You take samples of granite, marble, bronze, and other materials, and place them outdoors for a long time in the big city. You periodically examine the appearance and measure the mass of the samples. (a) What observations would lead you to conclude that one or more of the materials are well- suited for the sculpture?
Problem 4b
You are working with an artist who has been commissioned to make a sculpture for a big city in the eastern United States. The artist is wondering what material to use to make her sculpture because she has heard that acid rain in the eastern United States might destroy it over time. You take samples of granite, marble, bronze, and other materials, and place them outdoors for a long time in the big city. You periodically examine the appearance and measure the mass of the samples. (b) What chemical process (or processes) is (are) the most likely responsible for any observed changes in the materials? [Section 18.2]
Problem 5
Where does the energy come from to evaporate the esti- mated 425,000 km3 of water that annually leaves the oceans, as illustrated here? [Section 18.3]
- In the following instances, which choice is greener in a chemical process and why? (b) A reagent for the reaction that can be obtained from corn husks or one that is obtained from petroleum. (c) A process that produces no by-products or one in which the by-products are recycled for another process.
Problem 6
- It was estimated that the eruption of the Mount Pinatubo volcano resulted in the injection of 20 million metric tons of SO2 into the atmosphere. Most of this SO2 underwent oxidation to SO3, which reacts with atmospheric water to form an aerosol. The aerosols caused a 0.5 to 0.6 °C drop in surface temperature in the northern hemisphere. What is the mechanism by which this occurs?
Problem 7
Problem 11a
(a) What is the primary basis for the division of the atmosphere into different regions?
Problem 11b
(b) Name the regions of the atmosphere, indicating the altitude interval for each one.
Problem 12a
(a) How are the boundaries between the regions of the atmosphere determined?
Problem 12b
(b) Explain why the stratosphere, which is about 35 km thick, has a smaller total mass than the troposphere, which is about 12 km thick.
Problem 13a
Air pollution in the Mexico City metropolitan area is among the worst in the world. The concentration of ozone in Mexico City has been measured at 441 ppb (0.441 ppm). Mexico City sits at an altitude of 7400 feet, which means its atmospheric pressure is only 0.67 atm. (a) Calculate the partial pressure of ozone at 441 ppb if the atmospheric pressure is 0.67 atm.
Problem 13b
Air pollution in the Mexico City metropolitan area is among the worst in the world. The concentration of ozone in Mexico City has been measured at 441 ppb (0.441 ppm). Mexico City sits at an altitude of 7400 feet, which means its atmospheric pressure is only 0.67 atm. (b) How many ozone molecules are in 1.0 L of air in Mexico City? Assume T = 25 °C.
Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment