ENV 102:GLOBAL CHANGE

SPRING 1999







January 25, 1999 --- Dr. Bunce

Atmospheric Chemistry (Continued)


Atomic Structure

Why does O3 get broken down in the upper atmosphere and O2doesn’t?

Look at Periodic Table: there are two parts to it: on the left and right, we have "high rise apartments"; in the middle, "low rise". Today, we are looking at the "high rise" areas.

All elements have 2 numbers associated with them: a whole number and one with decimals.

How to get the number of neutrons in an atom:

Ex: Fluorine (F)

Atomic # = 9
Atomic mass = 19
Mass # = 18.9988
Number of protons (electrons) = 9

Atomic mass (19) minus # protons (9) = 10. Therefore, fluorine has 10 neutrons.

Ex: Sodium (Na) Atomic # = 11
Atomic mass = 23
Mass # = 22.989
Number of protons (electrons) = 11

Atomic mass (23) minus # protons (11) = 12. Therefore, fluorine has 12 neutrons.

Isotopes are like "cousins" to atoms --- they can trace the same lineage. All isotopes of element have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons. Because they have the same number of protons, they have the same chemical properties.

Ex --- Different isotopes of Hydrogen (H)

Ex --- "Heavy Water": H3O

This molecule is made up of deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen:

Last example: "Tritium": H3 (This isotope is radioactive!)


A chemical reaction is an exchange of electrons. (If reaction occurs with protons or neutrons, result is an atomic explosion!)

The arrangement of electrons determines how an atom reacts. Electrons are found in "shells".


FM Channel UV Radiation E = h * E = h * Convert MHZ to HZ E =(6.63 x 10-34 Jsec)(1.00x1015) = 106HZ E = 6.63 x 10-18 J E = (6.63 x 10 -36) (100x106 HZ) E = 6.63 x 10 -26 J

We find that the only main difference between a photon of UV light and a photon of the radio is that the radio photon does not make as much energy. This is why we do not get a sunburn from listening to the radio but you can from going to the beach.

Pre-Lab Discussion for Friday

Acetic acid is a weak base with the chemical form CH3COOH

NaOH is a strong base

We are going to work with a 24 well plate, add H+ and a dye phenylthalein which is an indicator. It is usually clear but in the presence of OH it turns pink. Each time you add an OH- to an acidic solution the OH joins with a free H+. However, when there are no more free H+ groups the solution shifts to a basic environment and the indicator would turn pink. This first change of color is referred to as the endpoint. It is the first visible sign that you have just passed the neutralization point. The process of slowly adding OH to neutralize is called titration. You will be titrated and using two different types of vinegar on Friday. The calculation can be found at the end of lab 2. Focus your attention only on equation # 7.

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