Key learning points

1. Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
2. Carbon particulates contribute to health issues and global dimming.
3. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are formed through burning fuels, and form acids in water.
4. Catalytic converters help complete combustion reactions and the removal of nitrogen monoxide from exhaust gases.
5. Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in cars and this has advantages and disadvantages.

Keywords

• Pollutant - a substance that causes damage to air, water or land

• Greenhouse gas - a gas that contributes to global warming by reducing the amount of radiation leaving Earth’s atmosphere

• Particulates - tiny solid particles such as soot (C) that can be found in air pollution

• Global dimming - a reduction in the amount of radiation reaching Earth’s surface caused by particulates in the atmosphere

• Catalytic converter - a device, containing catalysts, that helps reduce the amount of pollutants emitted from car exhausts

Common misconception