Heavy Metal and Radioactive Pollution — Flashcards
Telangana Open School (TOSS) · Class 12 · Chemistry
30 flashcards for Heavy Metal and Radioactive Pollution (Telangana Open School (TOSS) Class 12 Chemistry) to test yourself on key terms and facts.
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Define heavy metal based on density.
Answer
A heavy metal is any metal with a density greater than 5 g/cm³. Examples include lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd).
What is a trace metal? Give two examples.
Answer
A trace metal is a metal that occurs in concentrations of 1000 ppm or less in the Earth's crust. Examples: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn). These are essential in small amounts for biological functions.
Why are heavy metals considered pollutants even in small amounts?
Answer
Heavy metals are non-biodegradable and accumulate in the environment and living organisms. Even low concentrations can bioaccumulate and biomagnify through food chains, causing long-term toxicity.
Explain the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification.
Answer
Bioaccumulation is the buildup of toxins in an individual organism over time. Biomagnification is the increase in concentration of toxins at successive trophic levels in a food chain. Example: Mercury…
Write the balanced chemical equation for the formation of methylmercury from inorganic mercury in aquatic environments.
Answer
Hg²⁺(aq) + CH₃⁻ → CH₃Hg⁺(aq) This reaction occurs via microbial methylation in anaerobic sediments. Methylmercury is highly toxic and bioaccumulates in fish and humans.
What happens when lead is released from leaded petrol in vehicles?
Answer
Tetraethyl lead (C₂H₅)₄Pb in petrol combusts and releases PbO and metallic lead particles into the air. These settle as dust and contaminate soil and water. Reaction: 2(C₂H₅)₄Pb + 27O₂ → 2PbO + 16CO₂ …
How does cadmium enter the human body? Write one chemical reaction showing Cd²⁺ interaction with proteins.
Answer
Cadmium enters through contaminated food, water, or cigarette smoke. It binds to sulfhydryl (-SH) groups in proteins: Cd²⁺ + 2R-SH → (R-S)₂Cd + 2H⁺ This disrupts enzyme function and causes toxicity.
Calculate the concentration of lead in ppm if 0.25 g of Pb is present in 50 kg of soil.
Answer
Given: Mass of Pb = 0.25 g = 250 mg Mass of soil = 50 kg = 50,000 g = 50 L (assuming density 1g/mL) ppm = (mass of solute in mg) / (mass of solution in kg) = 250 mg / 50 kg = 5 ppm Answer: 5 ppm…
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