Worksheet 1 Unit 14

S.L.O 14.1.1: Define the term ‘environmental chemistry’.

1. A substance that alters environmental constituents or cause pollution is called: (byjus.com)
A. pollutant B. decomposer C. radiator D. reducer
S.L.O 14.1.2: Differentiate among environmental spheres ( litho, bio, hydro and atmosphere)

1. Which of the following represents lithosphere?

A. Air B. Life C. Land D. Water
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of the lithosphere?

A. It is a source of minerals and fuels.

B. It is a shield against solar radiation.
C. It is a collective mass of oceans and fresh water bodies.
D. It is a combination of plants, animals and microorganisms.
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of the hydrosphere?
A. It is a source of minerals and fossil fuels.
B. It is a solid, rocky crust covering the entire planet.
C. It is a collective mass of oceans and fresh water bodies.
D. It is a combination of plants, animals and microorganisms
4. The envelope of gases surrounding the Earth and other planets is known as
A. biosphere. B. lithosphere. C. atmosphere. D. hydrosphere

5. When decomposers feed on dead organic matter, they return carbon to air as carbon
dioxide.This information shows an interaction between

A. lithosphere and biosphere. C. biosphere and atmosphere.

B. atmosphere and lithosphere. D. hydrosphere and lithosphere
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE for troposphere?

A. The middle portion of troposphere comprises of the ozone layer.

B. The troposphere is situated between stratosphere and mesosphere.
C. The troposphere hardly contains any water so it lacks cloud formation.
D. The temperature in the troposphere decreases with the increase in altitude.

7. The set of environmental spheres that are affected by human activities mentioned in the given
table is: (AKUEB 2022)

Dumping of Waste in Overfishing and

Oceans Habitat Destruction
A atmosphere lithosphere
B biosphere atmosphere
C lithosphere hydrosphere
D hydrosphere biosphere

8. Which of the following environmental spheres is considered to be the sum of all the ecosystems?
(AKUEB 2023)
A. Biosphere B. Lithosphere C. Atmosphere D. Hydrosphere

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 9. Which of the following CORRECTLY matches with its description? (NT 2023)

Spheres Description
A. Lithosphere Animals found on land
B. Biosphere Forest habitat of Animals
C. Hydrosphere Envelop of gases
D. Atmosphere Water in the ocean

S.L.O 14.2.1: State the composition of atmosphere.

1. Dry air contains the smallest percentage of

A. argon. B. oxygen. C. nitrogen. D. carbon dioxide

2. Clean air contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and some noble gases which row correctly states unpolluted
air? (NT 2023)
%O2 %N2 %CO2 and noble gases
A. 20 78 2
B. 21 78 1
C. 19 79 2
D. 20 79 1
3. Nitrogen and Oxygen gases make up 99% of atmosphere. Which gas is present in greater amount in
the remaining 1 percent? (O-Level)
A. argon. B. oxygen. C. nitrogen. D. carbon dioxide

Worksheet 2
S.L.O 14.2.2: Describe the different layers of atmosphere.
1. Consider the following features of a layer in Earth’s atmosphere. (AKUEB 2023)

 Coldest temperature reaches up to −90°C

 Air crafts cannot reach to its height
 Glowing meteoroids are formed here
 Satellite is unable to measure its traits

Based on the given features, the layer of atmosphere identified is

A. exosphere. B. ionosphere. C. mesosphere. D. thermosphere.

2. All of the following are features of a layer of atmosphere (NT 2023)

I. Meteoroids burn here
II. Most coldest layer
III. Height of layer is between 50-85 km
Identify the layer of atmosphere
A. stratosphere. B. troposphere. C. mesosphere. D. thermosphere

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S.L.O 14.2.3: Differentiate between stratosphere and troposphere.
1. The boundary between troposphere and stratosphere is known as (byjus.com)

A. tropopause B. ionopause C. stratopause D. mesopause

2. All the weather lies in

A. Troposphere B. Stratosphere C. Mesosphere D. Thermosphere
3. Atmosphere is divided into layers on the basis of
A. Altitude B. Temperature variation C. Humidity D. Concentration of gases
4. Which two gases make up about 99% of troposphere?
A. Oxygen and Hydrogen C. Carbon dioxide and Oxygen
B. Nitrogen and Carbon dioxide D. Nitrogen and Oxygen
5. Ozone layer is present in the mid of:
A. Troposphere B. Stratosphere C. Mesosphere D. Thermosphere
6. The stratosphere is layered in temperature because of
A. Ozone layer B. concentration of gases C. Cloud formation D. Pollutants

Worksheet 3,4
S.L.O 14.3.1: List major (primary and secondary) air pollutants.
1. Which of the following is a primary air pollutant?

A. Ozone B. Nitric acid C. Nitric oxide D. Peroxyacetyl nitrate

2. Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant? (byjus.com)
A. Ozone B. Sulphur dioxide C. Nitric oxide D. Carbon monoxide
S.L.O 14.3.2: describe sources and effects of air pollutants.
1. It is advised to switch off gas heaters before going to sleep.
This is because the incomplete combustion of natural gas in a poorly ventilated room produces

A. carbon dioxide. B. sulphur dioxide. C. nitrogen dioxide. D. carbon monoxide

2. Which of the following oxides are produced by electrical discharge of lightning

duringthunderstorm?

A. Nitric Oxide B. Sulphur dioxide C. Carbon dioxide D. Carbon monoxide

3. Which of the following processes reduces carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere?

(A) Nitrification (B) Denitrification (C) Photosynthesis (D) Polymerization

4. All of the given pollutants correctly explains their possible effects EXCEPT (O-Level)

Pollutants Effects
a CFCs Causes ozone depletion
b CO2 Causes photochemical smog
c CO Is poisonous to humans
d NO2 Form acid rain

5. It is advised to switch off gas heaters before going to sleep. This is because the combustionof
natural gas in a poorly ventilated room produces carbon monoxide.
The inhalation of carbon monoxide for a long time may reduce the blood’s
A. oxygen level. B. glucose level. C. salt concentration. D. water concentration.

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 6. The incomplete combustion of petrol in car engines produces (AKUEB 2023)

A. carbon dioxide. C. nitrogen dioxide.

B. carbon monoxide. D. nitrogen monoxide.

7. Four current problems in our atmosphere are listed: (O-Level)

1. Acid rain
2. Depletion of ozone layer
3. Presence of greenhouse gases
4. Incomplete combustion of carbon compounds
Which atmospheric pollutant is responsible for each problem?
W= Chlorofluorocarbon X= SO2 Y= CO Z= CO2

8. Nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide are all pollutants. Which row CORRECTLY describes
the major source of each pollutant? (NT 2023)
NO2 SO2 CO
A. Car engine Power station respiration
B. Power station Car engine Car engine
C. Respiration Power station Car engine
D. Car engine Power station Car engine

9. When a volcano erupts, which gas is produced in significant amounts? (O-Level)

A. carbon monoxide B. methane C. ozone D. sulfur dioxide

10. Which atmospheric pollutant is produced by bacterial decay of vegetable matter? (O-Level)

A. carbon monoxide B. methane C. ozone D. sulfur dioxide

11. Which row shows both the correct source and the correct effect of the named pollutant? (O-Level)

pollutant source effect

A carbon monoxide incomplete combustion of global warming

carbon-containing materials
B oxides of nitrogen decaying vegetable matter global warming
C ozone photochemical reactions acid rain

D sulfur dioxide volcanoes acid rain

12. Methane, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide are gases which affect the atmosphere and the
environment.
In what way do these gases affect the environment? (O-Level)
methane sulphur dioxide carbon dioxide
A depletion of the ozone layer acid rain global warming
B global warming photochemical smog acid rain
C photochemical smog global warming depletion of the ozone layer
D global warming acid rain global warming

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 Q.2: Describe any TWO sources and TWO effects of each of the following air pollutants.
i. Sulphur dioxide
ii. Carbon monoxide
Answer:
Sources of Sulphur dioxide
i. Combustion of fossil fuels
ii. Volcanic eruption
Effects of Sulphur dioxide
i. It causes suffocation and severe respiratory disorders.
ii. It causes acid rain.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
i. Incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons.
ii. Decay of organic matter
Effects of Carbon monoxide
i. It is highly poisonous gas that binds with haemoglobin and reduces oxygen level in the blood.\
ii. It may cause death if inhaled for a long time

Q.3: Write any THREE harmful effects of ozone.

Answer: 1. Ozone gas can cause respiratory disorders.

2. It can destroy lung tissues if inhaled for a long time.
3. It is a greenhouse gas so it may cause global warming.

Q.4: When petrol is burnt in an internal combustion engine of a car, the electrical spark which passes
through the air/ petrol mixture produces gases such as ozone and oxides of nitrogen. The release of
these gases from car exhaust considerably pollutes the environment.
i. Identify the main pollution problem caused by each of these gases.
ii. Describe any TWO harmful impacts of each of the identified problems (in part i) on the
environment.
Answer:
i. Main pollution problem caused by Ozone gas is global warming.
Main pollution problem caused by oxides of Nitrogen is Acid Rain.

ii. Effects of Global warming:

Due to global warming the temperature of earth is increasing every year.
Glaciers and snow caps are melting which is serious risk of floods.
Effects of Acid Rain
Acid rain increases the acidity of soil and many crops can not grow in such soil.
Acid rain damages marble and Limestone buildings by reacting with Calcium Carbonate.
Q.5: Write down the sources and effects of following air pollutants. (NT 2024)

(i) Sulphur compounds

(ii) Nitrogen compounds
(iii) CFCs

Sulphur Compounds
Sources: Combustion of fuels, volcanic eruption, etc.
Effects: It causes acid rain and respiratory problems.
Nitrogen Compounds
Sources: Combustion of fuels, electrical lightning, etc.
Effects: Acid rain
CFCs
Sources: Refrigerators and Air conditioners.
Effects: Depletion of Ozone layer.

Worksheet 5
S.L.O 14.3.3: exemplify the problem of air pollution due to incineration of waste material.
1. The burning of solid waste is NOT recommended because: (byjus.com)
A. It is a very costly process C. It requires a lot of space.
B. It requires modern technology. D. It causes severe environmental issues.

2. Find the CORRECT statement about waste treatment. (byjus.com)

A. The waste from one process becomes input for another process.
B. All the processes related to production and consumption produce some kind of waste.
C. There is no real waste in nature.
D. All of the above.

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S.L.O 14.3.4: recommend strategies that govt. adopt to control air pollution.
1. Presence of pollutants in air has an adverse effect on the environment.
In order to control air pollution, a country’s government should ensure that its citizens AVOID the
A. use of private vehicles.
B. plantation of more trees.
C. use of non-combustible sources of energy.
D. setting up of industries away from residential areas.

2. Which gas CANNOT be removed from the exhaust gases of a petrol-powered car by its catalytic
converter?

a. carbon dioxide b. hydrocarbon c. nitrogen dioxide d. carbon monoxide

3. Catalytic convertors are used in automobile exhaust systems to convert

A. carbon dioxide into carbonates. C. oxides of nitrogen into ammonia.

B. nitrogen gas into oxides of nitrogen. D. carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.

4. A catalytic converter in a car exhaust system speeds up the change of pollutants into less harmful
products. Which change DOES NOT occur in a catalytic converter? (O-Level)
A. carbon dioxide → carbon
B. carbon monoxide → carbon dioxide
C. nitrogen oxides → nitrogen
D. unburned hydrocarbons → carbon dioxide and water

Q.2: An air quality index (AQI) of a city reports that the level of greenhouse gases and
particulate matter is alarming. (AKUEB 2023)
Suggest any SIX measures that the city government should take to combat the given situation.

Answer:
i. Government should provide transport so that people avoid using private vehicles.
ii. Government should promote the use of electric vehicles.
iii. Government should promote environment friendly technologies like Solar Cars, etc.
iv. Government should encourage people to plant more and more trees.
v. Government should make strict punishment for the people that do not obey traffic rules.
vi. Government should ensure that all the vehicles should install Catalytic Converters with the
engines.

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 Worksheet 6
S.L.O 14.4.1: describe acid rain and its effects.

1. Which of the following is an adverse effect of acid rain?

A. Melting of glaciers C. Depletion of ozone
B. Green house effect D. Death of aquatic life

2. The chemical reaction that does NOT contribute to acid rain is

a. SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq)

b. 2H2SO3(aq) + O2(g) → 2H2SO4(aq)
c. 2NO2(g) + H2O(l) → HNO3(aq) + HNO2(aq)
d. NaOH(aq) + HNO3(aq) → NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l)

3. Highly acidic rain leaches a metal X from the soil. This metal reaches water bodies and
causesdestruction of the aquatic ecosystem. The metal X identified is (AKUEB 2022)

A. sodium. B. calcium. C. potassium. D. aluminium.

4. Based on the critical pH level of water, the organism that can survive in acid rain is (AKUEB 2023)

Critical pH Level of Aquatic

Water organism
A 6 Clams
B 5.5 Crayfish
C 5 Trout
D 4 Frog

5. Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and oxide of nitrogen dissolve in rain water which problem is NOT
causeby acid rain? (NT 2024)
A. Breathing difficulties B. Dying trees C. Erosion of statues D. Lowered pH of lake

6. Acid rain is produced when rain mixes with gases such as Sulfur dioxide this will eventually result in: (NT
2023)
A. Lowering of pH and changes of temperature in ponds.
B. Rising of pH and changes of temperature in ponds.
C. Lowering pH in ponds, limiting survival of aquatic organisms.
D. Raising of pH on ponds, limiting growth of organisms

7. Which two gases DO NOT damage limestone buildings? (O-Level)

A. nitrogen and carbon monoxide C. nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide

B. nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide D. sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide

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Q.2: Describe the formation of acid rain with the help of any TWO chemical equations and state THREE
ways in which acid rain harms the natural environment.

Answer: When Oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen get mixed with rain water, its pH reduces to 4 and it
becomes very much acidic. In this way acid rain is formed as shown by the equations:
SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq)
2H2SO3(aq) + O2(g) → 2H2SO4(aq)
2NO2(g) + H2O(l) → HNO3(aq) + HNO2(aq)

Harmful Effects of Acid Rain

i. Acid rain leaches heavy metals from rocks and mountains and these metals are mixed with drinking
water which becomes dangerous for humans. High concentration of Aluminum ions clogs the
fish gills and they die.
ii. Acid rain increases the acidity of soil and many crops cannot grow in such soil.
iii. Acid rain directly damages the leaves of plants and limits their growth. Even old trees are affected
badly by acid rain.

Worksheet 7,8
S.L.O 14.5.1: explain Ozone formation.
1. Which of the following reactions, under normal conditions, would help to maintain a balance in
ozone concentrations in the stratosphere?

I. O3  Cl  O2 OCl
II. O3  O  2O2
III. O  O  O2
IV. O2  O  O3
A. I and II B. I and III C. II and IV D. III and IV
2. Which of the following chemical equations shows the formation of ozone?
A. O2  O2 O3 C. O  O2  2O3
B. O  2O2  2O3 D. 2O  2O2  2O3
3. What is ozone?
A. An odourless gas C. A transparent gas
B. An isotope of oxygen D. An allotrope of oxygen

S.L.O 14.5.2: describe Ozone depletion and its effects.

1. Which of the following is an adverse effect of ozone depletion?
A. It melts icebergs. C. It causes suffocation.
B. It damages buildings. D. It disrupts food chain.

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 2. Depletion of ozone layer causes an increase in the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiations
that reachesthe Earth’s surface.
In human beings, exposure to higher UV levels may cause
I. Asthma II. Cataract III. Diabetes IV. skin cancer

A. I and II. B. I and III. C. II and IV. D. III and IV

3. Which gas will react with ozone in the upper atmosphere of the Earth? (O-Level)

A. CF2Cl 2 B CH4 C CO2 D SO2

Q.2:
i. Name the man-made chemical substance that causes ozone depletion.
ii. Using balanced chemical equations, illustrate the destruction of the ozone layer.

Answer:
i. ChloroFlouroCarbons (CFCs) cause the Depletion of Ozone Layer.
ii. CFCs escape in the environment. These gases absorb the UV radiations of sun and generate
the Free radicals of Chlorine that damage the Ozone Layer.

A single Chlorine Free Radical is capable of destroying upto many lacs of Ozone molecules.
In this way CFCs are responsible for Ozone Depletion.

S.L.O 14.5.3: List the Uses of Ozone

1. Which of the following property of Ozone makes it useful as a bleaching agent?

(A) is an allotropic form of oxygen. (B) has high boiling point.

(C) releases atomic oxygen. (D) Sterilizes water.

Worksheet 9
S.L.O 14.6.1: define the term ‘greenhouse effect’.
1. Which of the following pairs of gases is responsible for absorbing infrared radiations
emittedby the Earth’s surface in troposphere?
Ozone and oxygen C. Oxygen and nitrogen
Nitrogen and carbon dioxide D. Carbon dioxide and water vapours
2. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

A. Oxygen B. Hydrogen C. Carbon dioxide D. Sulphur dioxide

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 3. The emission of greenhouse gases is increased by (AKUEB 2023)

A. acid rain. B. deforestation. C. eutrophication. D. global warming.

S.L.O 14.6.2: explain global warming and its effects.
1. Which of the following is a long-term effect of increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
a. Melting of glaciers and ice bergs
b. Suffocation and ultimate death of fish
c. Loss of heat energy from the earth’s surface
d. Increased respiratory problems for asthmatic patients

2. Which of the following processes helps in decreasing global warming?

A. Respiration B. Combustion C. Deforestation D. Photosynthesis

3. The set of conditions that causes global warming and increased amount of ultraviolet radiationsto
reach the Earth’s surface respectively is (AKUEB 2022)

Concentration of Carbon dioxide Concentration of Ozone in

in Troposphere Stratosphere
A decreased decreased

B increased decreased

C decreased increased

D increased increased

Q.2: ‘Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases which are released by human activities.’
a. Explain the given statement with reference to greenhouse effect and its significance for
normal life on Earth.
b. Mention any TWO harmful effects of global warming on the environment.

a. Greenhouse gases like Carbon dioxide and water vapours play an important role for normal life on
earth. Both of these gases absorb the infrared radiations emitted by earth surface and warm the
environment. Otherwise day time temperature would be too hot to bear and night would be too cold to
freeze everything. Plants also use Carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and release Oxygen gas. In this
way these greenhouse gases are vital for life on earth. But due to human activities like Combustion
and deforestation, the concentration of these gases in increasing in the atmosphere which is
increasing the temperature of atmosphere. This is called Global Warming.
b. Global Warming is harmful in many ways like:
i. The temperature of atmosphere is increasing about 0.05oC every year.
ii. Glaciers and snow caps are slowly melting which is a serious threat for low laying countries.
iii. Intense weather changes are occurring all over the world.

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