Hello my fellow students! During our last class, we were discussing how incorrect measurements affect the environment. So, let's do a recap for the topic, today.
So, we learned that limiting and excess reagents can result their to be limiting and excess reagents. This usually occurs when cleaning up or neutralizing pollutants in the environment. Can someone give an example?
For example, if there was a spill of HCl, an acidic spill, a basic solution like sodium hydroxide can be used to neutralize the spill. NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) = H O (l) + NaCl (s) The stoichiometric amount of the base must be used to produce no limiting or excess reagents.
This is so because If there is a limited amount of NaOH, the spill will not completely neutralize. If there is an excess amount of NaOH poured on the acid spill, the spill shall become basic and then become corrosive.
This could affect the environment by making nearby soil too basic for plant growth - harming and killing the plants. If it enters water bodies through runoffs, they could make the living conditions for aquatic life in the water unbearable. Lastly, any chemicals dispersed into the air, can be harmful to those nearby breathing it.
Good Job! That's all right. Furthermore, incorrect measurements can lead there to be excess of harmful pollutants like greenhouse gases after a reaction. If released into the environment, the chemicals contribute to pollution. For instance, metal smelting is a major source of sulfur dioxide. Sulfur and oxygen react to produce it. If there is an excess reagent of sulfur, it could release into the atmosphere to cause acid rain. In this case, sulfur must be measured accurately to prevent this from occurring. Okay, that's all for now. Go for recess.