Deck 3: The Chemistry of Global Climate Change

Question 1

Determine the shape or geometry of PH₃.(Hint: Use the Periodic Table to arrive at the electron configuration for phosphorous. )

A)tetrahedral
B)trigonal pyramidal
C)bent
D)trigonal planar

Answer 1

trigonal pyramidal

Question 2

Scientists have correlated average global temperature with atmospheric carbon dioxide levels for the last 160,000 years using ice cores from Antarctica.How is the carbon dioxide level determined?

A)by measuring the CO₂ concentration in trapped gases in the ice layers
B)by measuring the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in the CO₂ molecules
C)by extrapolating the CO₂ level from the temperature of the ice
D)by extrapolating the CO₂ level from the average global temperature

Answer 2

by measuring the CO₂ concentration in trapped gases in the ice layers

Question 3

This is the Lewis structure for acetic acid.The bond angles are not drawn to scale.
Based on the electronic configuration shown in the Lewis structure,predict the O CO bond angle,in degrees.

A)90°
B)109.5°
C)120°
D)180°

Answer 3

120°

Question 4

The greenhouse effect refers to the process by which

A)atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen absorb heat radiated by Earth.
B)atmospheric nitrogen absorbs ultraviolet radiation radiated by Earth
C)atmospheric gases trap and return infrared radiation radiated by Earth.
D)greenhouse gases absorb ultraviolet radiation from the Sun,warming the molecules.

Question 5

Which atmospheric component does not contribute to global warming?

A)H₂O
B)CO₂
C)N₂
D)O₃

Question 6

What international agreement attempted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

A)Kyoto Protocol
B)Montreal Protocol
C)Oslo Accords
D)Nuremburg Treaty

Question 7

Scientists believe they know the average global temperature over the last 160,000 years.Which property of the ice core samples from Antarctica provides this information?

A)the thickness
B)the carbon dioxide concentration
C)the ¹H/²H ratio
D)the temperature

Question 8

Predict the geometry of nitrous oxide,N₂O (atomic order NO).

A)linear
B)bent
C)trigonal pyramidal
D)trigonal planar

Question 9

Which explanation accounts for the fact that,on average,cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights?

A)Clouds reflect light incoming from the moon.
B)H₂O does not absorb infrared energy.
C)Clouds are composed of water vapor and H₂O is a strong greenhouse gas.
D)Clouds have a high concentration of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion.

Question 10

The greenhouse and enhanced greenhouse effects refer to the return of approximately ___ percent and greater than ___ percent of the heat radiated by Earth.

A)40;40
B)50;50
C)60;60
D)80;80

Question 11

How many atoms are present in 0.375 mol of palladium (Pd)atoms?

A)1.61 × 10²⁴
B)6.02 × 10²³
C)2.26 × 10²³
D)2.12 × 10²¹

Question 12

Which process plays the most important role in the greenhouse effect?

A)Energy from the sun is reflected back into the atmosphere.
B)Energy from the sun is absorbed by the earth.
C)Energy from the sun is absorbed by the atmosphere.
D)Energy radiated by the earth is absorbed by the atmosphere.

Question 13

Although carbon dioxide is the primary compound discussed with respect to global warming;of the common atmospheric components the global warming potential (GWP)of a carbon dioxide molecule is very low.Which statement best explains this pair of facts?

A)CO₂ molecules are highly symmetrical.
B)CO₂ has a low molar mass.
C)CO₂ exists in relatively high concentrations.
D)CO₂ is formed in the combustion of fossil fuels.

Question 14

Neither N₂ nor O₂ are greenhouse gases because

A)N₂ and O₂ react with one another,producing N₂O₂ when exposed to infrared radiation.
B)their overall electric charge distribution does not change when they vibrate.
C)infrared radiation causes their bonds to break.
D)their atmospheric concentrations are not changed by human activity.

Question 15

Determine the molar mass for fluoxetine (C₁₆H₁₆F₃NO),also known as Prozac.

A)279.3 g/mol
B)281.3 g/mol
C)295.3 g/mol
D)297.1 g/mol

Question 16

Which practices might be described as carbon sequestration?
I.Planting trees
II.Deforestation
III.Pumping carbon dioxide deep into the ocean
IV.Increasing combustion of fossil fuels

A)I and II only
B)II and III only
C)III and IV only
D)I and III only

Question 17

Which of these represents the best Lewis structure for acetylene (C₂H₂)?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 18

Calculate the mass of 2.50 × 10⁴ molecules of nitrogen gas.

A)5.81 × 10¯¹⁹ g
B)1.16 × 10¯¹⁸ g
C)7.00 × 10⁵ g
D)5.38 × 10²⁶ g

Question 19

Find the molar mass of ethanol,C₂H₆O.

A)29.02 g/mol
B)45.06 g/mol
C)46.07 g/mol
D)110.0 g/mol

Question 20

The O-to-O-to-O bond angle in an ozone (O₃)molecule is not exactly 120° because

A)ozone molecules are linear so the bond angle is 180°.
B)ozone molecules are tetrahedral so the bond angle is approximately 109°.
C)the nonbonding electron pair occupies greater space than the bonding pairs.
D)the electrons in the double bond occupy more space that the nonbonding electron pair.

Question 21

In order to make useful predictions,which factors must be accounted for by climatic models?
I.Cooling effect of atmospheric aerosols
II.Smoke,haze,and cloud cover
III.Change in land use
IV.Combustion of fossil fuels

A)IV only
B)II and III only
C)III and IV only
D)I,II,III,and IV

Question 22

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)issued a report in 2007 that attached probabilities to the predictions and statements made.Which prediction/statement was considered "Very Unlikely"?

A)Human-caused emissions are the main factor causing warming since 1950.
B)Arctic sea ice thickness declined about 40% during late summer to early autumn in recent decades
C)The observed warming over the past 100 years is due solely to climatic variability.
D)In most of the areas in the Northern Hemisphere,precipitation has increased

Question 23

Which vibrational mode for carbon dioxide is not expected to contribute to the greenhouse effect?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 24

Ethanol (C₂H₆O)is a common intoxicant and fuel produced from the fermentation of various grains.How many moles of ethanol are represented by 50.0 kg of ethanol?

A)1.09 × 10³ mol
B)46.1 mol
C)9.00 mol
D)1.09 mol

Question 25

Hydrogen gas (H₂)is a promising alternative to fossil fuels.How many molecules are present in 1.0 kg of hydrogen gas?

A)3.0 × 10²³
B)6.0 × 10²³
C)3.0 × 10²⁶
D)6.0 × 10²⁶

Question 26

Argon,which comprises almost 1% of the atmosphere,is approximately 27 times more abundant than CO₂,but does not contribute to global warming.Which explanation accounts for this fact?

A)Single atoms do not vibrate.
B)Argon's vibrational energy is not excited by infrared radiation.
C)Argon atoms are concentrated too high in the troposphere to interact with the earth's radiant energy.
D)Argon is not an anthropogenic pollutant.

Question 27

These data show the movement of carbon through its various forms on earth.Which value is known with the smallest percent error?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 28

The top graph shows the mean temperature over the past 160,000 years as determined from ice-core data.Which of graphs A through D best represents the carbon dioxide concentration in air over the same time period as measured from air bubbles trapped in the ice cores?

A)Graph A
B)Graph B
C)Graph C
D)Graph D

Question 29

Which occurrences or processes are expected to reduce the level of atmospheric carbon?
I.Decaying plant and animal remains
II.The growth of trees
III.Formation of carbonate rock in the ocean
IV.Animal respiration

A)I and II only
B)II and III only
C)III and IV only
D)I and IV only

Question 30

What evidence indicates that the rising atmospheric CO₂ levels are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels?

A)Both the average global temperature and the atmospheric CO₂ level have risen.
B)The level of atmospheric moisture has increased.
C)The ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in atmospheric CO₂ is the same as in atmospheric oxygen.
D)The ¹⁴C/¹²C ratio in atmospheric CO₂ is unusually low.

Question 31

Although coal is a complex mixture of substances,its elemental composition can be approximated by the formula C₁₃₅H₉₆O₉NS.Using this formula,predict the amount of CO₂ released from the combustion of 1.00 × 10⁶ metric tons of coal (about the annual average for a coal-fired power plant).1 metric ton = 1 × 10³ kg

A)3.66 × 10⁹ kg
B)3.11 × 10⁹ kg
C)8.50 × 10⁸ kg
D)3.11 × 10⁵ kg

Question 32

What is the coefficient for oxygen in the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of heptane (C₇H₁₆)? Unbalanced equation: C₇H₁₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

A)11
B)8
C)7
D)1

Question 33

What is the effect of infrared energy on matter?

A)It excites bonding electrons.
B)It increases molecular rotation.
C)It breaks chemical bonds.
D)It increases the vibration of chemical bonds.

Question 34

LP gas (liquid propane,C₃H₈)is the fuel used in gas grills as well as a main source of heat energy for many rural residences.What is the mass of 5.83 × 10¹⁷ molecules of liquid propane?

A)2.57 × 10¹⁹ g
B)6.41 × 10¹⁸ g
C)4.27 × 10¯⁵ g
D)6.89 × 10¯⁷ g

Question 35

Which conclusion was considered "very likely" in the 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

A)Human-caused emissions are the main factor causing warming since 1950.
B)The observed warming of the past 100 years is due solely to climate variability.
C)The Arctic Sea ice thickness decreased approximately 40% during late summer/early fall.
D)Summer droughts have increaseD.

Question 36

The history of average global temperature for the last 160,000 years is derived from isotopic analysis of ice layers in Antarctica.Scientists study the ______ ratio in ______.

A)(¹⁴C/¹²C;CH₄)
B)(¹H/²H;H₂O)
C)(¹²C/¹⁴C;CO₂)
D)(¹⁶O/¹⁸O;O₂)

Question 37

Although coal is a complex mixture of substances,its elemental composition can be approximated by the formula C₁₃₅H₉₆O₉NS.Using this chemical formula,calculate the percentage,by mass,of carbon (C)in coal.

A)85%
B)67%
C)56%
D)20%

Question 38

The carbon cycle refers to the

A)mechanism by which carbon dioxide causes global warming.
B)frequency of light energy that affects the rotational energy of carbon dioxide.
C)oxidation of glucose to form carbon dioxide and water.
D)movement of carbon through living organisms,the atmosphere,the sea,and the earth.

Question 39

Octane (C₈H₁₈)is one of the principal components of gasoline.How many moles of CO₂ are produced during the combustion of 3.0 mol of octane?
Unbalanced equation: C₈H₁₈ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

A)3.0
B)8.0
C)24
D)26

Question 40

Which country has the highest per capita emission of carbon dioxide?

A)United States
B)Germany
C)Canada
D)Saudi Arabia

Question 41

Methane is approximately 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.Which are significant sources of methane emissions?
I.The digestive systems of ruminants (cows,sheep,etc. )
II.Automobile exhaust
III.Rice cultivation
IV.Decaying wetland vegetation

A)I only
B)I and II only
C)II only
D)I,III,and IV only

Question 42

Which characteristics pertain to the problem of global warming?
I.Possible consequences include altered climate and increased sea level.
II.Heat energy radiated by the earth is captured by atmospheric molecules.
III.Increased skin cancer incidence and damage to radiation sensitive species has been observed.
IV.The concentration of stratospheric ozone is declining.

A)I and II only
B)I and III only
C)II and IV only
D)III and IV only

Question 43

Tropospheric ozone (O₃)is a greenhouse gas.Why is O₃ not assigned a Global Warming Potential (GWP)?

A)Ozone molecules absorb only low energy infrared frequencies.
B)Ozone molecules have a low molecular weight.
C)Tropospheric ozone concentrations are not changed by human activity.
D)Ozone has a relatively short lifetime in the troposphere and its distribution is not uniform around the worlD.

Question 44

Where is most of the carbon on earth stored?

A)in the form of fossil fuels and carbonate minerals and rocks
B)in the forests and soil
C)in surface water
D)in the atmosphere

Question 45

The most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's atmosphere is:

A)CO₂
B)H₂O vapor
C)N₂
D)CH₄

Question 46

Both the Clinton and G.W. Bush administrations were unwilling to sign the Kyoto Protocol. What was their primary objection to the treaty?

A)The target emission levels are not sufficiently low to affect the greenhouse effect.
B)The treaty does not include a provision for trading emission allowances.
C)Developing countries are not required to control greenhouse gas emissions.
D)Enforcement of the treaty will be impossible.

Question 47

Which substances are regulated by the Kyoto Protocol?
I.argon
II.carbon dioxide
III.nitrogen
IV.nitrous oxide
V.sulfur hexafluoride

A)I,II,and III only
B)I and III only
C)II,IV,and V only
D)II and V only

Question 48

Although greenhouse gases likely account for the problem of global warming,they are also responsible for making earth habitable.What would be the temperature on earth in the absence of the effects of carbon dioxide and water?

A)450°C
B)15°C
C)-18°C
D)-270°C

Question 49

If the average temperature of earth is currently 15.0°C,what does the NOAA model (the line in the graph)predict for the average global temperature in 2080?

A)2.4°C
B)12.6°C
C)15.0°C
D)17.4°C

Question 50

The ability of a molecule to absorb infrared radiation is measured with IR spectrometers,which report the frequency of light absorbed in units of cm¯¹.Which explanation best describes this unit?

A)the distance traveled by light of a specific frequency in 1 second
B)the number of wavelengths in 1 cm for a specific frequency of light
C)the wavelength of a specific frequency of light
D)the speed of a specific frequency of light

Question 51

What is the mass of exactly 500 sulfur atoms?

A)1.61 × 10⁴ g
B)32.1 g
C)2.66 × 10¯²⁰ g
D)5.33 × 10¯²³ g

Question 52

The majority of N₂O molecules in the atmosphere come from

A)bacterial removal of nitrate ions (NO₃¯)from soil.
B)burning of fossil fuels.
C)decaying vegetable matter.
D)landfills.

Question 53

The Industrial Revolution is a key point in the Earth's atmospheric history because

A)prior to that time large deposits of petroleum and coal were not being used as energy sources.
B)the first atmospheric studies were conducted at that time.
C)spectrometers that could measure molecular response to infrared radiation were developed at that time.
D)the first aircraft that could be used to collect atmospheric samples were developed at that time.

Question 54

CO₂ emissions in China declined by 9% over the five-year period ending in 2000.If 5.00 × 10⁸ metric tons (t)of CO₂ was emitted in 1995,how much CO₂ was released in 2000?

A)4.55 × 10⁹ t
B)4.55 × 10⁸ t
C)4.50 × 10⁸ t
D)4.55 × 10⁷ t

Question 55

What factors are considered in determining the global warming potential for a particular molecule?
I.Relative contribution of a molecule of gas to global warming
II.Lifetime in the atmosphere
III.Atmospheric concentration

A)I only
B)I and II only
C)I and III only
D)II and III only

Question 56

Identify possible consequences of global warming.
I.A rise in sea level
II.An increase in average relative humidity
III.An increase in forest growth in the Northern Hemisphere
IV.A weakening of ocean currents

A)I and III only
B)I and IV only
C)I,II,and IV only
D)I,II,III,and IV

Question 57

Calculate the percentage,by mass,of fluorine in sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆),a potent greenhouse gas.

A)22.0%
B)59.2%
C)78.0%
D)82.1%

Question 58

Identify the single most effective strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

A)Use methane rather than gasoline for fuel in cars and trucks.
B)Develop alternate energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels.
C)Use wood as a home heating fuel.
D)Convert all vehicles to diesel fuel.

Question 59

Land use changes have a big impact on global warming because of their effect on albedo.Albedo

A)is the primary wave number at which a greenhouse gas absorbs infrared radiation.
B)describes the effectiveness of a molecule as a greenhouse gas.
C)is the ratio of electromagnetic radiation reflected by a surface to the amount of radiation hitting that surface.
D)describes the tendency of an atmospheric molecule to react with other atmospheric molecules,reducing their global atmospheric lifetimes.

Question 60

Forcings are

A)geological changes that promote volcanic eruptions.
B)mechanisms for sequestering CO₂ endorsed by signers of the Kyoto Protocol.
C)factors that affect the annual global mean surface temperature.
D)changes in geographical distribution of plant,animal,and insect species brought on by climate change.

Question 61

Calculate the mass of 25,000 molecules of nitrogen gas.(1 mole = 6.02 x 10²³ molecules)

A)5.81 × 10^-19 g
B)1.16 × 10^-18 g
C)7.00 × 10⁵ g
D)5.38 × 10²⁶ g

Question 62

What is the yearly change in the carbon dioxide concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?

A)+1.5 ppm
B)+6.5 ppm
C)-1.5 ppm
D)0 ppm

Question 63

In order to make useful predictions,which factors must be accounted for by climatic models?
I.Aerosol Emissions
II.Land Use
III.Solar Irradiance

A)II only
B)II and III only
C)I and III only
D)I,II,and III only

Question 64

Which of the following has the lowest albedo?

A)Ocean
B)Fresh snow
C)Old snow
D)Desert sand

Question 65

Calculate the mass percent of chlorine in CCl ₃ F (Freon-11).

A)77.5%
B)25.8%
C)51.6%
D)13.8%

Question 66

Which of the following are ways that aerosols may affect climate?

A)Scattering incoming radiation
B)Nucleation of clouds
C)Absorbing incoming radiation
D)All of the above

Question 67

What,approximately,is the highest concentration of CO₂ measured in the Earth's atmosphere in modern times?

A)4000 ppm
B)400 ppm
C)40 ppm
D)4.0 ppm

Question 68

Earth's atmosphere transmits the majority of which forms of electromagnetic radiation?
I.Infrared
II.Visible
III.Short wavelength UV (UV-C)
IV.Long wavelength UV (UV-A)

A)I and II only
B)I and III only
C)II and IV only
D)III and IV only

Question 69

The internationally accepted atomic mass standard is carbon-12 because this isotope

A)was arbitrarily selected as a convenient standard.
B)is the smallest isotope that could be accurately weighed.
C)is the only isotope with equal numbers of protons,neutrons,and electrons.
D)is the only isotope of carbon that exists.

Question 70

Calculate the mass of CO₂ produced by the combustion of a tank of gasoline.Assume the mass of gasoline is 46.0 kg and that gasoline is pure octane (C₈H₁₈);

A)142 kg
B)17.8 kg
C)32.3 kg
D)46.0 kg

Question 71

In order to halt increases in the amounts of these gases in the Earth's atmosphere,global greenhouse gas emissions must be decreased by 9 billion tons.Which of these would NOT provide that much relief in global greenhouse gas emissions?

A)Cutting energy usage in the world's buildings by 20-25% below business-as-usual.
B)Having all cars get 60 mpg instead of 30 mpg
C)Replacing 700 large coal-burning power plants with nuclear,wind,or solar power
D)Capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide at 800 coal-burning power plants
E)None of the above would provide the needed 9 billion tons.

Question 72

In their fourth and most recent report published in 2007,the vast majority of scientists agreed on several key points.Which of the following is NOT one of those points?

A)If the rate of greenhouse gas emissions is not curtailed,our water resources,food supply,and even our health will suffer.
B)Human activities (primarily the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation)are responsible for much of the recent warming.
C)The Earth is getting warmer.
D)All of the above were mentioned as key points.

Question 73

Which of the following is NOT a likely consequence of increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere?

A)Sea ice disappearance
B)Sea-level rise
C)Changes in ocean chemistry
D)Increase in biodiversity