Chemistry in Context Applying to Society
The Air We Breathe
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
Based on Table 1.1, which air pollutant is the only one to have increased between 1983
and 2002?
A.
B.
C.
D.
sulfur dioxide
ozone
particulate matter
None of these choices is correct.
Note that all pollutants decreased in concentration over this time frame.
2.
Of five major gaseous components of air, which is the only one to vary significantly in
concentration from place to place and from day to day?
A.
B.
C.
D.
water vapor
carbon dioxide
nitrogen
argon
Think about differences in humidity.
3.
Which two gases make up more than 95% of an inhaled breath?
A.
B.
C.
D.
NO2 and N2
CO2 and O2
O2 and N2
N2 and Ar
Think about the two main components of the atmosphere.
4.
What is the primary component of an exhaled breath?
A.
B.
C.
D.
N2
O2
CO2
H2O
The main component of an exhaled breath is the same as the main component of an
inhaled breath.
5.
Which component of the air makes up approximately 100 times more of an exhaled
breath than of an inhaled breath?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Ar
O2
O3
CO2
6.
The ________ concentration in the air over the desert differs dramatically from that in
the air in the tropical rainforest.
A.
B.
C.
D.
N2
O2
CO2
H2O
Think about the dry air in the desert.
7.
Which component of the air is an element?
A.
B.
C.
D.
H2O
NO2
O3
CO2
Only one of these contains all the same type of atom.
8.
Air is a(n)
A.
B.
C.
D.
element.
compound.
mixture.
pure substance.
There are several substances in air.
9.
Which substance is considered to be an air pollutant?
A.
B.
C.
D.
N2
SO2
NO2
O3
One if these is the primary component of uncontaminated air while the rest are
pollutants.
10.
Ozone is considered an air pollutant in the ________ but is a valuable protective layer
in the __________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
troposphere; stratosphere
stratosphere; mesosphere
stratosphere; troposphere
mesosphere; stratosphere
Remember that we live in the troposphere.
11.
A particular sample of air is 2.5% water vapor. Express the concentration of water
vapor in parts per million (ppm).
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.0000025 ppm
0.025 ppm
250 ppm
25000 ppm
Percent is parts per hundred. One hundred is 10,000 times less than one million.
12.
The EPA limit for CO is 9 ppm. Express this number as a percentage.
A.
B.
C.
D.
90%
9%
0.09%
0.0009%
Percent is parts per hundred. One hundred is 10,000 times less than one million.
13.
The quantity 0.0000064 g expressed in scientific notation is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
6.4 × 106 g
6.4 × 10¯6 g
6.4 × 107 g
6.4 × 10¯7 g
Negative powers of ten move the decimal to the left.
14.
The quantity 8.7 × 105 g expressed in standard decimal notation is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.000087 g
870.000 g
0.0000087 g
870,000 g
Positive powers of ten move the decimal to the right.
15.
Which pollutant is present in air as particulate matter?
A.
B.
C.
D.
soot
ozone
sulfur dioxide
carbon monoxide
Particulate matter is solid not gaseous.
16.
What two factors are considered when determining the risk assessment for air
pollutants?
A.
B.
C.
D.
exposure and ppm
percentage and ppm
toxicity and percentage
toxicity and exposure
Remember that some things are poisonous in a short time frame and others are toxic
after long time frames.
17.
When assessing the risk of an air pollutant, which does not play a role in considering
someone's exposure to the pollutant?
A.
B.
C.
D.
a person's lung capacity
a person's breathing rate
the toxicity of the pollutant
the concentration in air of the pollutant
18.
The burning of coal produces sulfur dioxide, SO2, a pollutant that slowly reacts in air to
form SO3. Sulfur trioxide dissolves into airborne water droplets to form a very
corrosive solution of sulfuric acid. Which is a product of burning coal that hastens the
transformation of sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide?
A.
B.
C.
D.
carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
nitrogen dioxide
particles of ash
This transformation takes place on solid particles.
19.
All of these pollutants can be detected by their odors except:
A.
B.
C.
D.
CO
O3
SOx
NOx
Remember that you might need a detector for this substance in your home for
protection.
20.
Which pollutant are you more likely to encounter in dangerous concentrations indoors
rather than outdoors?
A.
B.
C.
D.
nitrogen dioxide
carbon monoxide
ozone
sulfur dioxide
This comes from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels.
21.
In general, which airborne material is not likely to be affected by the filters or indoor
air handling equipment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
particulates
pollen
soot
carbon monoxide
Filters cannot trap gases.
22.
Which color, as used in the Air Quality Index, warns that the level of a pollutant is
hazardous, the most dangerous level?
A.
B.
C.
D.
orange
green
yellow
maroon
This is similar to other color-coded warning systems.
23.
The highest (or uppermost) layer of our atmosphere is the
A.
B.
C.
D.
troposphere.
ozone layer.
stratosphere.
mesosphere.
We live in the troposphere.
24.
A substance that can be broken down into two or more simpler substances by chemical
methods is called a(n)
A.
B.
C.
D.
compound.
mixture.
element.
isotope.
Mixtures are separable by physical means.
25.
On a Periodic Table, the columns of elements with similar properties are
A.
B.
C.
D.
periods.
groups.
rows.
metals.
Periods and rows go across.
26.
The chemist, at about the time of the American Civil War, given the greatest credit for
developing the most common way of arranging the elements, thus leading to the
Periodic Table of today, is
A.
B.
C.
D.
Einstein.
Pasteur.
Mendeleev.
Galileo.
27.
The most numerous of the elements are the
A.
B.
C.
D.
metals.
non metals.
metalloids.
noble gases.
These are green in the periodic table in your textbook.
28.
Which process does involve a chemical change?
A.
B.
C.
D.
burning charcoal on the grill
digesting food
boiling water
cleaning the shower with Lime Away
Remember that chemical changes result in bonds in molecules being broken and new
bonds being formed.
29.
Which is a mixture?
A.
B.
C.
D.
a jar filled with rocks and sand
sea water
a glass of Kool-Aid
sodium chloride
Mixtures include more than one pure substance.
30.
Which is a pure substance?
A.
B.
C.
D.
helium
copper wire
air
sucrose
Mixtures are not pure substances.
31.
Which squares contain mixtures?
A.
B.
C.
D.
II and III only
III and IV only
I, III, and IV only
I and IV only
Mixtures will have different substances in the same box.
32.
Which square(s) contain(s) only an element?
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
II only
I and II only
III and IV only
Elements will only have one type of atom in the box.
33.
Which is a single pure substance?
A.
B.
C.
D.
copper
water
brass
chlorine
Elements and compounds are pure substances.
34.
Which symbols represent only elements that are metals?
A.
B.
C.
D.
X and Z
X and Q
P and L
X, R, P, and Q
Non-metals reside in the upper right corner of the periodic table.
35.
Which symbol(s) represent(s) elements in the noble gas family?
A.
B.
C.
D.
X and Z
P and L
Q
Y
Noble gases are in the far right column of the periodic table.
36.
Which differentiates a compound from a mixture of two or more elements?
A. The elements in a compound may be present in varying proportions.
B. A compound does not exhibit the individual properties of the elements of which it is
composed.
C. A compound is made up of only one element.
D. A compound cannot be made up of more than two elements.
Remember that compounds are elements bound together by chemical bonds.
37.
Although only about 100 elements exist, over __________________ compounds have
been isolated, identified, and characterized.
A.
B.
C.
D.
one hundred thousand
one million
20 million
10 billion
Each compound is a special arrangement of the elements.
38.
Which substance is an element?
A.
B.
C.
D.
NO2
NaCl
N2
CH4
Only one has just one symbol in the formula.
39.
A(n) __________ is a fixed number of atoms held together by chemical bonds in a
certain spatial arrangement.
A.
B.
C.
D.
element
ion
molecule
mixture
Remember which of these have more than one element that are also bonded together.
40.
Which diagram(s) best represent(s) only diatomic molecules?
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
II only
I and II only
II and IV only
The prefix di- means two.
41.
Which diagram(s) best represent(s) only molecules?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
I only
II only
III only
I and II only
IV only
Molecules have multiple atom bound together.
42.
Which diagram(s) best represent(s) only individual atoms?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
I only
II only
III only
IV only
II and III only
The atoms are not bound to other atoms.
43.
Except in the case of hydrocarbons, when naming virtually all compounds made up of
two elements, the second element mentioned
A.
B.
C.
D.
ends in "ide."
is preceded by "mono" (or occasionally "mon").
is always the more metallic element.
is the one present in the greater number of atoms.
Remember that more non-metallic atoms go second and have this ending.
44.
Based on its name, which carbon compound contains the fewest carbon atoms?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ethanol
methane
chlorobutane
propyl alcohol
Mother Eats Peanut Butter
45.
P2O5 is the chemical formula for
A.
B.
C.
D.
pentoxygen diphosphide.
diphosphorus pentoxide.
dioxygen pentaphosphide.
monophosphorus pentoxide.
See table 1.6 for the naming prefixes.
46.
The name of the compound formed by combining carbon atoms
atoms
to form
is
A.
B.
C.
D.
with oxygen
carbon oxide.
monocarbon dioxide.
carbon dioxide.
carbonate.
Count your atoms and remember that there is no prefix on a lone element that is named
first.
47.
During a chemical reaction,
A.
B.
C.
D.
atoms are rearranged.
some atoms are destroyed and new ones are formed.
some elements are destroyed and new ones are formed.
the law of conservation of matter and mass may be briefly violated.
Remember that the laws of conservation of mass and energy are always followed in
chemical reactions.
48.
Choose the proper coefficients for each substance to balance this equation.
____ C2H4 + ____ O2 → ____ CO2 + ____ H2O
A.
B.
C.
D.
1, 1, 2, 2
1, 3, 2, 2
2, 3, 4, 2
2, 2, 4, 2
Make sure that the total number of each element is the same on both sides of the
equation. The large coefficient multiplies through.
49.
Choose the proper coefficients for each substance to yield a balanced equation.
A.
B.
C.
D.
1, 1, 1
2, 1, 1
2, 1, 2
2, 1, 1
Make sure that the total number of each element is the same on both sides of the
equation. The large coefficient multiplies through
50.
Which is the balanced chemical equation showing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
decomposing into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
H2O2 → H2 + O2
H2 + O2 → H2O2
2 H2 + O2 → 2 H2O2
2 H2O2 → 2 H2 + O2
Make sure that the total number of each element is the same on both sides of the
equation. The large coefficient multiplies through
51.
Which is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of nitrogen (N2) with oxygen
(O2) to form NO?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2 NO → N2 + O2
N2 + O2 → NO
N2 + O2 → 2 NO
NO → N2 + O2
Make sure that the total number of each element is the same on both sides of the
equation. The large coefficient multiplies through
52.
Which shows the balanced equation for the reaction of nitrogen (
), as it is normally
found in our atmosphere, with oxygen (
), as it is normally found in our atmosphere,
to form nitrogen dioxide?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Oxygen and nitrogen are diatomic molecules as found in nature.
53.
The two main products of the combustion of gasoline in an automobile engine are
A.
B.
C.
D.
oxygen and carbon monoxide.
sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides.
sulfur oxides and hydrogen.
water and carbon dioxide.
All hydrocarbon combustion reactions make these two products.
54.
Green chemistry is
A.
B.
C.
D.
the study of how to improve the production of oxygen via photosynthesis.
any chemistry having an agricultural base.
the cause of the higher temperatures and humidity typically found in greenhouses.
the design of products and processes that reduce hazardous substances.
This is about cleaner chemistry in all fields.
55.
Critique the statement: "Air pollution is an unavoidable by-product of an industrialized
society—the more modern we become the more air pollution we will have."
A. This is a reasonable statement since burning fossil fuels is necessary for
industrialization and unavoidably produces pollutants.
B. Although burning fossil fuels does produce air pollutants, technology may prevent
these pollutants from increasing in the atmosphere as we become more
industrialized.
C. Air pollution is not inevitable if we could raise the temperature at which fossil fuels
are burned.
D. Burning fossil fuels does not have to produce potential pollutants, but it does
because of the unwillingness of government and industry to spend additional
money.
Think about how the levels of many pollutants have decreased due to technology.
56.
Catalytic converters reduce the amount of ________ in car exhaust.
A.
B.
C.
D.
O3
CO2
CO
N2
Think about which is a direct tailpipe pollutant.
57.
The United States has more vehicles per capita than any other country, but cleaner air
than many other countries because it
A.
B.
C.
D.
has more electric vehicles.
has fewer people living in cities.
has more governmental regulations on air quality.
is a large country so pollutants can spread out more.
This is not due to geography.
58.
Ozone is a secondary pollutant. A secondary pollutant is
A.
B.
C.
D.
not as hazardous as a primary pollutant.
not produced directly but as the product of the interaction of two or more pollutants.
one that is naturally present in our atmosphere.
one that is less hazardous than a primary pollutant.
This has nothing to do with safety.
59.
There are approximately 2 × 1022 molecules and atoms in each breath we take and the
concentration of CO in the air is approximately 9 parts per million. Approximately how
many CO molecules are in each breath we take?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2 × 1015
1.8 × 1017
2 × 1017
2 × 1029
Remember that "parts per million" means one out of 1,000,000 or for CO, 9 out of
1,000,000.
60.
Which of the following would be described as "fine particles"?
A.
B.
C.
D.
SOx
NOx
O3
2.5 μm diameter soot
Remember that these are solids and not gases.
Yes / No Questions
61.
Would a woman that inhaled 15,000 liters of air per day exceed the 24-hr average for
inhalation of SO2 if she were exposed to 1150 μg of SO2 each day?
NO
Consult Table 1.2 to find that the 24-hr average is 365μg/m3 after doing the calculation.
Multiple Choice Questions
62.
Which if the following is the chemical symbol for silver?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Au
Pb
Ag
Fe
Silver was known during ancient times and has an unusual symbol.
63.
Which of the following is a pure substance?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Lemonade
Concrete
Gasoline
Silver wire
Remember that pure substances have only one component.
64.
Which of the following is the correct name for SF6?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Monosulfur Hexafluoride
Sulfur Hexafluorite
Sulfur Fluoride
Sulfur Hexafluoride
Remember that we do not say "mono-" before the first element if it is single and that
we must use the prefix and -ide ending on the second element.
65.
The lowest (or closest to the ground) layer of our atmosphere is the
A.
B.
C.
D.
troposphere.
ozone layer.
stratosphere.
mesosphere.
Think about which layer we live in and that is its relative warm.
66.
Which of the following contains the most atoms?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Methane
Ethane
Butane
Propane
Remember your organic naming prefixes.
67.
Which is the following represents a combustion reaction?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2 CH4 + 3 O2 → 2 CO2 + 2 H2O
S8 + 8 O2 → 8 SO2
N2 + 2 O2 → 2 NO2
C3H8 + O2 → 3 CO2
One of these is missing a product.
68.
Balance this equation P4 + Cl2 → PCl5 with the smallest whole number coefficients.
Choose the answer that is the sum of the coefficients. Do not forget coefficients of
"one".
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
7
9
11
13
15
Be sure to balance all elements on either side of the equation and add all the
coefficients including any "ones".
Check All That Apply Questions
69.
Which of the following are examples of technological advances that have reduced air
pollution?
X
X
__
X
Paint with reduced VOCs
Catalytic converters
Burning gasoline in leaf blowers
Low sulfur Diesel fuels
One if these is a major cause of outdoor pollution while the others are improvements.
Multiple Choice Questions
70.
If 500 mL of air contains 2 x 1022 particles (atoms and molecules), how many particles
do you inhale in one day if you breathe 15000 L of air?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2 x 1022
6 x 1026
1.2 x 1027
5 x 1024
Remember that 500 mL is 0.5L and make sure your units cancel when you do the
calculation.
71.
If we assume that the top of Mt. Everest is the highest land mass on earth, hikers who
scale its summit are standing in the
A.
B.
C.
D.
mesosphere.
stratosphere.
troposphere.
ozone layer.
Remember that they are still on land and this layer encompasses all the land.
72.
Which square(s) contain(s) only one or more compounds?
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
II only
I and IV only
II and III only
Different compounds will have different combinations of different elements.
73.
A compound and a mixture differ in that
A.
B.
C.
D.
is made up of more than one element.
may be made up of components that may be molecules.
is of fixed composition.
exhibits the properties of its individual components.
Remember that more than one pure substance is in a mixture. Pure substances may be
compounds or elements.
74.
The chemical formula for nitrogen monoxide is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
N2O
NO
NO2
N2O3
Remember your prefixes for naming molecules.
75.
Which pollutant is found both indoors and outdoors, but it most likely to be toxic
indoors?
A.
B.
C.
D.
CO
O3
NO2
SO2
Think about which would be detected by an indoor detector.
76.
Which correctly pairs an indoor pollutant with its source?
A.
B.
C.
D.
formaldehyde and unvented space heaters
O3 and electrical arcing
radon and glues and solvents
nicotine and paint and paint thinners
Think about the sources of nicotine, radon and formaldehyde.