Topics in this chapter
- Atmosphere and its importance
- Greenhouse effect and global warming
- Ozone layer and its depletion
- Air pollutants and acid rain
- Conventional and non-conventional energy
- Environmental protection and sustainable development
Key learning points
✓ Greenhouse gases trap outgoing heat and raise Earth’s average temperature.
✓ Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
✓ Acid rain mainly results from oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.
✓ Renewable energy reduces dependence on exhaustible fossil fuels.
Important equations and relations
C + O₂ → CO₂S + O₂ → SO₂2SO₂ + O₂ → 2SO₃SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄Multiple-choice questions
1. Which gas is mainly associated with the greenhouse effect?
- Oxygen
- Carbon dioxide
- Hydrogen
- Helium
Answer: B — Carbon dioxide
2. The ozone layer mainly absorbs:
- Infrared rays
- Ultraviolet rays
- Radio waves
- Sound waves
Answer: B — Ultraviolet rays
3. Acid rain commonly contains:
- Sulphuric and nitric acids
- Hydrochloric acid only
- Acetic acid
- Carbonic acid only
Answer: A — Sulphuric and nitric acids
Very short-answer questions
- What is a greenhouse gas?
- Name one renewable source of energy.
- Which atmospheric layer contains most ozone?
Short-answer questions
- Explain how acid rain is formed.
- Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
Long-answer question
- Discuss major environmental concerns caused by human activities and suggest preventive measures.