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Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources: AQA GCSE Chemistry questions

Every AQA GCSE Chemistry exam question on 4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,744 questions

  1. Q05.1

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 05.1: Explain how oxides of nitrogen are produced when burning fuels. [2 marks]

  2. Q05.3

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.7.1 Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 05.3: Explain one negative impact on the environment of burning hydrogen rather than natural gas as a fuel. Use Table 2. [2 marks]

  3. Q01.7

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.7: Atmospheric pollutants are formed when C6H14 undergoes incomplete combustion. Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] ammonia carbon mono

  4. Q02.1

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.1: Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. What is the effect on the rate of global climate change of using more furnaces in this power station? Complete the sentence.

  5. Q02.2

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.2: 7000 kg of carbon dioxide are produced when 3000 kg of coal are burned. Calculate the mass of carbon dioxide produced when 1 kilogram of coal is burned. [2 mark

  6. Q02.3

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.3: Complete the sentence. [1 mark] Sulfur dioxide causes an environmental effect called acid . Table 1 is repeated below. Table 1 Number of furnaces in use Mass of

  7. Q02.4

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    3 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.4: Figure 3 shows how the mass of sulfur dioxide produced per minute varies with the mass of coal burned per minute. Complete Figure 3. You should: • plot data fro

  8. Q02.5

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.5: Complete the sentence. Use Table 1 and Figure 3. [1 mark] As the mass of coal burned per minute increases, the mass of sulfur dioxide produced per minute .

  9. Q02.6

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.6: This power station also releases particulates into the air. Complete the sentence. [1 mark] The release of particulates into the air causes global .

  10. Q07.2

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.9.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 07.2: In the first part of the production of concrete: • air is heated by burning methane • the hot air is used to heat limestone • the limestone decomposes. The equa

  11. Q06.2

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.2: 1 kg of each fuel in Table 5 is burned. Which fuel produces the most sulfur dioxide? Give one reason for your choice. [2 marks] Fuel Reason

  12. Q06.3

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.3: Give one problem caused by sulfur dioxide. [1 mark]

  13. Q06.4

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.4: Particulates are formed from solid particles. 1 kg of each fuel in Table 5 is burned. Which fuel produces the least particulates? Give one reason for your choic

  14. Q06.5

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.5: Give one problem caused by particulates. [1 mark]

  15. Q06.6

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.6: Complete the sentence. [1 mark] Solid particles are formed when fuels undergo incomplete .

  16. Q06.7

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation

    3 marks4.9.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.7: Figure 6 shows how the use of oil and of natural gas as fuels changed in the UK between 2002 and 2020. Figure 6 Describe the trends shown in Figure 6. [3 marks]

  17. Q04.4

    June 2022 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2 Higher, question 04.4: Petrol obtained from crude oil contains sulfur impurities. Explain why sulfur impurities are removed before petrol is burned in car engines. [2 marks]

  18. Q01.2

    November 2021 · Paper 2 Higher

    6 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources4.9.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2 Higher, question 01.2: Oil contains carbon and some sulfur. When oil is burned, the products of combustion may be released into the atmosphere. Explain the environmental effects of re

  19. Q08.2

    November 2021 · Paper 2 Foundation

    6 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources4.9.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2 Foundation, question 08.2: Oil contains carbon and some sulfur. When oil is burned, the products of combustion may be released into the atmosphere. Explain the environmental effects of re

  20. Q06.1

    November 2020 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2 Higher, question 06.1: Explain why soot is formed when some fossil fuels are burned. [2 marks]
All 36 questions on Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources, as a list
  1. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q05.1 (2 marks): Explain how oxides of nitrogen are produced when burning fuels. [2 marks]
  2. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q05.3 (2 marks): Explain one negative impact on the environment of burning hydrogen rather than natural gas as a fuel. Use Table 2. [2 marks]
  3. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.7 (2 marks): Atmospheric pollutants are formed when C6H14 undergoes incomplete combustion. Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] ammonia carbon mono
  4. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.1 (1 mark): Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. What is the effect on the rate of global climate change of using more furnaces in this power station? Complete the sentence.
  5. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.2 (2 marks): 7000 kg of carbon dioxide are produced when 3000 kg of coal are burned. Calculate the mass of carbon dioxide produced when 1 kilogram of coal is burned. [2 mark
  6. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.3 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. [1 mark] Sulfur dioxide causes an environmental effect called acid . Table 1 is repeated below. Table 1 Number of furnaces in use Mass of
  7. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.4 (3 marks): Figure 3 shows how the mass of sulfur dioxide produced per minute varies with the mass of coal burned per minute. Complete Figure 3. You should: • plot data fro
  8. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. Use Table 1 and Figure 3. [1 mark] As the mass of coal burned per minute increases, the mass of sulfur dioxide produced per minute .
  9. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.6 (1 mark): This power station also releases particulates into the air. Complete the sentence. [1 mark] The release of particulates into the air causes global .
  10. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.2 (2 marks): In the first part of the production of concrete: • air is heated by burning methane • the hot air is used to heat limestone • the limestone decomposes. The equa
  11. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.2 (2 marks): 1 kg of each fuel in Table 5 is burned. Which fuel produces the most sulfur dioxide? Give one reason for your choice. [2 marks] Fuel Reason
  12. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.3 (1 mark): Give one problem caused by sulfur dioxide. [1 mark]
  13. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.4 (2 marks): Particulates are formed from solid particles. 1 kg of each fuel in Table 5 is burned. Which fuel produces the least particulates? Give one reason for your choic
  14. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.5 (1 mark): Give one problem caused by particulates. [1 mark]
  15. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.6 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. [1 mark] Solid particles are formed when fuels undergo incomplete .
  16. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.7 (3 marks): Figure 6 shows how the use of oil and of natural gas as fuels changed in the UK between 2002 and 2020. Figure 6 Describe the trends shown in Figure 6. [3 marks]
  17. June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q04.4 (2 marks): Petrol obtained from crude oil contains sulfur impurities. Explain why sulfur impurities are removed before petrol is burned in car engines. [2 marks]
  18. November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (6 marks): Oil contains carbon and some sulfur. When oil is burned, the products of combustion may be released into the atmosphere. Explain the environmental effects of re
  19. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q08.2 (6 marks): Oil contains carbon and some sulfur. When oil is burned, the products of combustion may be released into the atmosphere. Explain the environmental effects of re
  20. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.1 (2 marks): Explain why soot is formed when some fossil fuels are burned. [2 marks]
  21. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.2 (4 marks): Fossil fuels are burned in car engines. Explain how reducing the amount of sulfur in fossil fuels reduces the erosion of limestone. [4 marks]
  22. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.3 (2 marks): Oxides of nitrogen are atmospheric pollutants which are formed in car engines. Explain why oxides of nitrogen are formed in car engines. [2 marks]
  23. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.1 (1 mark): What reacted with the limestone to cause the erosion? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Acid rain Ammonia Carbon monoxide Oxygen
  24. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.2 (2 marks): Soot is produced by the incomplete combustion of diesel oil. Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] ammonia carbon methane nitrogen oxyg
  25. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.3 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. [1 mark] Particles of soot in the atmosphere cause global .
  26. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.4 (1 mark): Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of methane. Balance the equation for the reaction. [1 mark] 2 CH4 + 3 O2 → ____ CO + 4 H2O
  27. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.5 (3 marks): Car engines work at high temperatures. Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [3 marks] air methane oxides of nitrogen oxygen petrol sulfur dioxid
  28. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.1 (2 marks): Explain how carbon monoxide is produced when petrol is burned in car engines. [2 marks]
  29. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.2 (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why the maximum allowed percentage of carbon monoxide has been decreased for newer cars. [2 marks] 1 2
  30. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.3 (1 mark): Give one reason for having a maximum allowed percentage of unburned hydrocarbons in exhaust fumes. [1 mark]
  31. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.4 (2 marks): Describe how oxides of nitrogen are produced when petrol is burned in car engines. [2 marks]
  32. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.5 (2 marks): Nitrogen dioxide is an oxide of nitrogen. Nitrogen dioxide reacts to produce nitrogen and oxygen in catalytic converters. Complete the equation for this reactio
  33. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.6 (2 marks): Give two effects of atmospheric pollution which are reduced by using catalytic converters. [2 marks] 1 2
  34. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q01.3 (1 mark): The hydrocarbon C4H8 was burnt in air. Incomplete combustion occurred. Which equation, A, B, C or D, correctly represents the incomplete combustion reaction? [1
  35. Specimen, Paper 2 Foundation, Q08.5 (3 marks): Table 3 gives information about the pollutants produced by cars using diesel or petrol as a fuel. Table 3 Fuel Relative amounts of pollutants Oxides of Nitrogen
  36. Specimen, Paper 2 Foundation, Q08.6 (2 marks): Pollutants cause environmental impacts. Draw one line from each pollutant to the environmental impact caused by the pollutant. [2 mark 3

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