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1 Classification of elements
INTRODUCTION
The earth is more than 4500 million years old. The earth was formed from a cloud of dust and
gases which cooled and formed a solidified crust. At that time the earth was much bigger and much cooler
than it is now and had no atmosphere. Then it started contracting and became smaller and warmer. During
this phase various gases were liberated from the earth and atmosphere was formed. The water vapour
condensed to form rivers and seas. Oxygen was added to the atmosphere by the green plants
(photosynthesis). Thus the atmosphere was formed which sustained life on earth. It extends up to about 40
km from the earth's surface. The region of air present around the earth is called atmosphere.
The percentage of various gases in the atmosphere is generally fixed. The atmosphere gets polluted
due to various activities taking place on the earth. Due to this, the various components and their amounts
in the atmosphere get disturbed. Since pollution has a hazardous effect on the atmosphere, the chief
priority of this century has been to identify the causes of pollution and take remedial measures to prevent
pollution.
Apart from the appropriate diet and need to exercise, the quality of our surroundings assumes
paramount importance. The atmosphere of earth, of course, occupies the major part of our surroundings.
In view of the great importance attributed to the study of atmosphere, the chapter 'revolves around the
composition of atmosphere and the factors which affect the composition adversely. The various activities
of humans generate different kinds of undesired, unsafe substances, which lead to pollution. Pollution is
hazardous to life - human, plant as well as aquatic. The chapter begins with a brief explanation of the
composition of the atmosphere. It then describes the basic facts about pollution. Going ahead, it discusses
the different types of pollution, some case histories, and preventive measures. This chapter is significant
since it deals with the factors that directly influence our lives.
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I. Define the following
1. Atmosphere: The envelope of gasses surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere. It extends up
to a height of about 40 km from the surface of the earth.
2. Acid rain:Nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide present in air react with the moisture present in
the air and form nitric acid and sulphuric acid, respectively. These acids come down along with
rain water. It is called acid rain.
3. Pollutant: The solid, liquid or gaseous substances present in such a large concentration, that it is
injurious to the environment and hazardous to life is called pollutant.
5. Particulate pollutants: Solid pollutants in the form of fine particles suspended in air are called as
particulate pollutants. E.g. Fine particles of asbestos, carbon, etc.
6. Natural Pollutants: Pollen grains, spores and microbes present in excess are called natural
pollutants.
7. Radioactive pollutants: The radioactive harmful substances produced during nuclear testing,
nuclear explosions and testing of nuclear weapons are called radioactive pollutants.
9. Sound pollution: The continuous production of sound which is undesirable to its recipient is
called sound pollution.
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10. Smog: The mixture of smoke and fog is called smog. It is fog carrying fine carbon particles.
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III. Answer the following questions in short.
1. What are the effects of sound pollution on human health?
Ans. Continuous loud sound affects human health as follows.
i. Damage to hearing, which may lead to permanent loss of hearing.
ii. Increase in the rate of heartbeats.
iii. Dilation of the pupils of the eyes.
iv. Increasing the digestive spasms.
v. Bad effects on the brain, liver and heart.
vi. Emotional disturbances.
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6. What are radioactive pollutants? What are their sources OR
Write a short note on radioactive pollutants.
Ans. The harmful radioactive substances produced in nuclear explosions, nuclear testing and testing of
nuclear weapons are called radioactive pollutants.
Sources: Radioactive pollutants are produced in nuclear explosions, explosion of a nuclear reactor, nuclear
tests and testing of nuclear weapons.
Example: Strontium – 90, a by – product of nuclear tests.
10. With the help of one example, explain the effect of acid rains.
Ans. Nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide present in air react with the moisture present in the air and
form nitric acid and sulphuric acid, respectively. These acids come down along with rainwater. It is called
acid rains.
Example: - Gaseous pollutants released from Mathura refineries near Agra are responsible for such acid
rains. They have affected the famous Taj Mahal causing itching, this act is known as pitting.
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12. What is ''Bhopal Gas Tragedy.''?
Ans.
On 3rd December, 1984, there was a leakage of the highly poisonous Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas
from the storage tanks of Insecticide and Germicide factory (UNION Car – bide) at Bhopal in Madhya
Pradesh. The MIC gas killed more than 3000 people and lakhs of people were seriously injured. This
event is called a ''Bhopal Gas Tragedy''.
5. State the important constituents of atmosphere and mention their percentage / Proportion.
Ans. At the earth’s surface the atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. In addition to these
gases small amount of carbon dioxide, water vapour, dust particles and rare gases are also present.
The main constituents of the atmosphere are
Besides these gases, the atmosphere also contains neon, helium, methane krypton, hydrogen,
nitrous oxide, xenon, water vapour and dust.
6. Write in brief the use of trees in decreasing the intensity of pollution. OR Explain the role of
green plants in reducing environmental pollution.
Ans.
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i. Carbon dioxide is not required by human beings and the increase in the proportion of carbon
dioxide leads to air pollution.
ii. Green plants require carbon dioxide for the preparation of their food (carbohydrates) through
photosynthesis.
iii. This, green plants absorb carbon dioxide from air and give out oxygen which human being require
for their respiration.
iv. Thus, green plants reduce the air pollution.
7. Describe the atmosphere of the earth with the help of the following points
a. Four main constituents of the atmosphere
b. Height of the atmosphere
c. Height of ozone layer
d. Formation of ozone layer and its function.
Ans. Atmosphere: The envelope of gasses surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere. It extends up
to a height of about 40 km from the surface of the earth.
a. . At the earth’s surface the atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. In addition to these
gases small amount of carbon dioxide, water vapour, dust particles and rare gases are also present.
The main constituents of the atmosphere are
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9. Write a short note on: - Green House effect.
Ans. It is a warming near the earth's surface that results when the earth's atmosphere traps (lock in) the
sun's heat.
The earth's atmosphere traps allows most of the sunlight that reaches it to pass through and heat
the earth's surface. The earth sends the heat energy back into the atmosphere. Much of these rays do not
pass freely into space, because certain gases in the atmosphere absorb it. These gases include CO2, O3 and
water vapour. They grow warm and send rays back towards the earth, adding to the warming at the
surface.
Green house effect received its name because the earth's atmosphere acts much like the glass/
plastic roof and walls of a green house. Sunlight enters a green house through the glass or plastic and heats
the interior. The roof and walls slow the escape of the heat.
10. Tell the types of pollution involved and their effect on human health.
a. Acid rain in Agra.
b. Leakage of MIC at Bhopal
c. Atomic blast on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
d. A procession with loud orchestra passes by a hospital.
Ans.
a. Acid rain in Agra: - It is an air pollution. The acid rain in Agra affects the world famous Taj Mahal
causing itching.
b. Leakage of MIC at Bhopal: - It is air pollution. The leakage of MIC from the storage tank of an
insecticide and germicide factory at Bhopal killed over 3000 people and seriously affected nearly a
lakh of residents.
c. Atomic blast on Hiroshima and Nagasaki: - It is a radioactive pollution. Due to the atomic blast on
Hiroshima nearly one lakh people dead. Many hereditary disorders were observed later on. The
after effects are still observed in Japan.
d. Procession with a lour orchestra passes by a hospital: - It is a sound pollution. Due to the loud
sound in the orchestra, the patients in the hospital may experience dilation of pupils of the eyes,
effects on their heart, increase of digestive spasm and emotional disturbances.
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