Burning of Fuel Produces Harmful Products

Since, no fuel is considered as an ideal fuel, thus they do not undergo complete combustion and produce unwanted substances.These substances have harmful effect on the humans and the environment.

(a) Fuels like, wood, petrol, diesel, coal, etc. release unburnt carbon particles. These unburnt carbon particles create pollution by mixing in air. They lead to diseases of respiratory system and many other related diseases.

(b) Incomplete combustion of carbon fuels produces carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which may kill a person.

(c) Most of the fuels release carbon dioxide gas. Excess carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere leads to global warming (the rise in temperature of the atmosphere of the Earth).

(d) Burning of coal and diesel produce sulphur dioxide. It is suffocating and corrosive gas. Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen dissolve in rain water and form acids. Such rain is called Acid Rain.

/Acid rain is harmful for animals and plants:-

Acid rain is also harmful for buildings and monuments. The famous Taj Mahal has lost much of its shine because of acid rain.

Combustion of most fuels results into discharge of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere . Moreover deforestation also reduces number of trees absorbing carbon dioxide. Thus these two factors results into elevated levels of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. Carbon dioxide has the ability to absorb infrared radiation emitted by the earth and re- radiate it back. This effect is known as 'greenhouse effect '. It is speculated that if the concentration of $CO_{2}$ in atmosphere increases significantly this could have the effect of increasing the average temperature of the earth.This phenomena is called global warming which leads to rise in the sea level, causing floods in the coastal areas.

Burning of coal and diesel results into discharge of sulphur dioxide into atmosphere. It irritates the nose, throat, and airways to cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or a tight feeling around the chest. Similarly, automobile exhaust contains oxides of nitrogen which leads to respiratory problems. Collectively these oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dissolves in rain water and forms corresponding nitric and sulphric acid thereby making rain water acidic leading to acid rain.

Acid rain causes acidifiation of lakes and stream and contributes to the damage of trees at high elevations (for example red spurce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest soils. In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Now - a - days coal gas is used as a source of _______________
A. Light	B. Heat	C. Electricity	D. Steam
Right Option : B
View Explanation

Question : 2

Which poisonous gas can be formed by the spark plugs in a petrol car engine?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Sulphur dioxide
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Nitrogen oxides
Right Option : A
View Explanation

Question : 3

Global warming leads to a rise in the sea level causing floods in the coastal areas. One of the main reasons of global warming is __________________
A. Combustion of fuels releases sulphur dioxide which increases the temperature
B. Combustion of fuels releases carbon monoxide which decreases the temperature
C. Combustion of fuels releases unburnt carbon particles which causes decrease in temperture
D. Combustion of fuels releases carbon dioxide which causes increase in temperature.
Right Option : D
View Explanation