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7.3Descriptive Chemistry

Environmental chemistry — EST 2 Chemistry Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 7 parts Lesson 3 of 3 1 quiz

📚 EST 2 Chemistry Hub / Topical Revision
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Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
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Lesson summary

Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry notes: Identify major pollutants and sources.SO2 + H2O → H2SO3; further oxidation gives H2SO4.Limestone scrubbers remove SO2 from power-station flue gases.Acid rain damages limestone buildingsCaCO3 + 2H+ → Ca2+ + CO2 + H2O.Adding lime neutral…

  • Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry: what to do next
  • Greenhouse effect
  • Greenhouse gases
  • Ozone layer
  • Photochemical smog
  • Catalytic converter

Section 1 of 7Environmental chemistry

1
Natural rain is slightly acidic (pH ~5.6) from dissolved CO2.
2
Methane is a stronger greenhouse gas per molecule than CO2.
3
Eutrophication results from excess fertiliser nitrates and phosphates.
4
Hard water contains Ca2+ and Mg2+.
5
Green chemistry aims to reduce waste and hazards.

Section 2 of 7Process & sequence

1
Fuels are burned for energy.
2
Products include CO2, H2O and pollutants.
3
SO2 and NOx dissolve in rain to form acids.
4
CO2 accumulates and traps heat.
5
Controls: scrubbers, catalytic converters, renewable energy.

Acid rain formationwrite these steps in this order; each step is a marking point.

  1. Fuel burned
  2. SO2/NOx released
  3. Dissolve in water
  4. Acids form
  5. Damage to lakes and buildings

Section 3 of 7Keep going

Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry: what to do next

These Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry notes covered the key ideas, worked examples and exam technique for this topic. Check your Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry understanding with the practice questions below, then reread any Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry point you were unsure about before moving on.

1
Practice: Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry practice questions
2
Previous lesson: 7.2 Organic chemistry
3
Next lesson: 8.1 Practical technique and safety
4
Course: EST 2 Chemistry — all units
5
Official syllabus: OpenStax free science textbooks

Environmental chemistry EST Chemistry revision notes

Section 4 of 7Compare

Pollutants
PollutantSourceEffect
COIncomplete combustionBinds haemoglobin; toxic
SO2Burning sulfur-containing fuelsAcid rain
NOxHigh-temperature enginesAcid rain, smog
CO2Fossil fuel combustionGlobal warming
CFCsOld refrigerants, aerosolsOzone depletion
ParticulatesDiesel, industryRespiratory disease
Water treatment
StepPurpose
ScreeningRemove large objects
Coagulation/sedimentationSettle fine particles
FiltrationRemove remaining solids
ChlorinationKill microorganisms

Section 5 of 7Key terms

Section 6 of 7Command terms

Command terms
Identify / Describe (FRQ)
A short, specific statement; describing requires relevant characteristics, not a single word.
Explain / Justify (FRQ)
Give the cause-and-effect reasoning or evidence; a restated fact does not score.
Calculate
Show setup, substitution and the answer with units.
Predict
State the expected outcome; add a reason only if asked to justify.
MCQ technique
Read every option; eliminate distractors that are true statements but do not answer the question; watch for NOT/EXCEPT.

Section 7 of 7Exam technique

Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson

Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Greenhouse effect · Greenhouse gases · Acid rain · Ozone layer · CFCs · Photochemical smog · Catalytic converter
Learn each definition in the Key words tab exactly; a missing keyword in a definition usually loses the mark.

How to get full marks (examiner guidance)

1
Answer exactly what is asked; extra correct material does not earn credit, and contradictory statements can cancel credit (AP FRQ).
2
Use precise vocabulary (e.g. “active site”, “concentration gradient”, “allele”), never “it/stuff/things”.
3
Show units and working in calculations.
4
In MCQs, predict the answer before reading the options, then eliminate.

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