Environmental Issues Chapter 2 Quiz

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Define pollution as mentioned in the text.

Any undesirable change in the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the environment.

What are pollutants?

Substances that bring about undesirable changes in the environment.

What are the sources of air, water, and land pollution?

Human activities releasing various substances into the environment.

How do the components of atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere maintain balance in nature?

Through their interdependence and mutual influence. Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of noise and radioactive pollution?

They affect the environment and living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there is a change in the characteristics of atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere?

It will significantly influence the biosphere, affecting all organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the chemical properties of silicon.

Silicon is a chemical element with symbol Si and atomic number 14. It is a hard and brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic lustre. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the extraction of amorphous and crystalline silicon.

Amorphous silicon is extracted by melting silicon with iron and copper in a furnace, while crystalline silicon is extracted from quartz by Berzelius. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between amorphous and crystalline silicon.

Amorphous silicon is non-crystalline, lacks long-range order, and is used in thin-film solar cells. Crystalline silicon has a regular crystal structure and is used in traditional solar panels. Signup and view all the answers

List some uses of silicon and silicon compounds.

Silicon and silicon compounds are used in building materials, ornamental stones, and as components in solar panels and electronics. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Latin word 'Silicium' mean?

The Latin word 'Silicium' means stone or flint. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first chemist to introduce the representation of elements in terms of letters?

Berzelius was the first chemist to introduce the representation of elements in terms of letters. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common sources of indoor air pollution?

Animal hair and dander, molds and bacteria, mold carpets and upholstery, pets, dust mites, pollen, tobacco, food, pesticides, fumes from chemicals, chemicals, smoke Signup and view all the answers

How can air pollution at sources be controlled?

Industries should be established away from towns and cities, emissions from industries should be checked and controlled, regulatory rules should be strictly enforced, automobiles should be periodically checked, use of unleaded fuel and biofuels should be encouraged, public should be educated to use public transport Signup and view all the answers

What are the major sources of water pollution?

Effluents from industries, sewage accumulation, extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture Signup and view all the answers

How are industrial effluents commonly disposed of?

Released into nearby sources of water, especially rivers Signup and view all the answers

What is sewage typically composed of?

Organic waste resulting from human activities Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to reduce emissions from automobiles?

Periodically checking the vehicles to improve engine efficiency Signup and view all the answers

Why are 'f' block elements kept separately in the periodic table?

Due to the properties of 'f' block elements that don't fit into the main table. Signup and view all the answers

Why does atomic size decrease across a period?

Because the effective nuclear charge increases, pulling the electrons closer to the nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

Why are hydrogen and helium not placed adjacent to each other in the first period of the periodic table?

Hydrogen and helium have different properties and don't follow the trend of increasing atomic number. Signup and view all the answers

Where in the periodic table do we mostly find nonmetals?

Nonmetals are mostly found on the right side of the periodic table. Signup and view all the answers

What are transitional elements?

Transitional elements are those found in the d-block of the periodic table. Signup and view all the answers

What are metalloids? Provide an example.

Metalloids are elements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals. An example is silicon (Si). Signup and view all the answers

What is the alternation of generations noticed in pteridophytes?

Sporophyte and Gametophyte Signup and view all the answers

What is the adult plant body in Bryophytes?

Haploid gametophyte Signup and view all the answers

What do the leaves of Adiantum, a fern, do to form new plants?

Touch the ground, develop roots Signup and view all the answers

Why are ferns grown?

For their ornamental value Signup and view all the answers

What is the common name for gymnosperms and why?

Naked seeded plants, because their seeds are not enclosed in fruits Signup and view all the answers

What kind of plants belong to gymnosperms?

Evergreen trees and some bushy plants Signup and view all the answers