Elements Of Chemistry: Directions - Be Sure To Make An Elect ✓ Solved

Elements of Chemistry Directions : Be sure to make an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it for grading

The assignment involves analyzing personal contributions to air pollution through a detailed diary of daily activities, followed by a written analysis of at least six actions that impact the environment. Students are required to record their activities over three days, identify how each activity contributes to air pollution, and suggest ways to minimize adverse effects. The final paper should be 1 to 2 pages, written in APA format, with correct grammar, spelling, and proper citations. The paper must include a diary summary and an analysis demonstrating understanding of how personal behaviors contribute to pollution and how to reduce it. The assignment emphasizes thoroughness, correct formatting, and analytical insight into the environmental impact of daily choices.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Title: Analyzing Personal Contributions to Air Pollution and Strategies for Minimization

Introduction

Air pollution remains a significant environmental challenge, directly linked to human activities such as transportation, energy consumption, and daily routines. Understanding individual contributions to air pollution is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies at the personal level. This paper presents a detailed diary of activities over three days, highlighting how specific behaviors contribute to air pollution. Additionally, it offers a critical analysis of six specific actions and proposes methods to reduce associated environmental impacts.

Diary Overview

Over three days, I meticulously recorded my daily activities, paying attention to actions that potentially influence air quality. The diary documented transportation choices, household energy use, food consumption, and waste disposal habits. Each activity's impact on emissions was assessed to understand my personal ecological footprint better.

Day 1

  • Driving to work in my gasoline-powered car
  • Using electricity at home for lighting and appliances
  • Food intake including pre-packaged foods from supermarket
  • Purchasing gas at local station
  • Using a plastic bag for shopping

Day 2

  • Commuting via public transportation
  • Cooking dinner using electric stove
  • Recycling paper and plastics
  • Using air conditioning in the house
  • Practicing outdoor jogging with lungful activity

Day 3

  • Walking instead of driving for short errands
  • Charging electronic devices
  • Eating locally sourced vegetables
  • Refueling vehicle with gasoline
  • Using disposable cups and utensils

Analysis of Activities and Environmental Impact

Based on the diary, six specific actions were selected for detailed analysis:

1. Driving a gasoline-powered car

My daily commute involves driving approximately 20 miles each way, contributing significantly to CO₂ emissions. Automobiles are major sources of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that form ground-level ozone. To minimize this impact, I could carpool, use public transportation, or switch to a hybrid or electric vehicle, which produce fewer emissions (U.S. EPA, 2020).

2. Using electricity at home

Electricity consumption results in indirect air pollution depending on the energy source. In my region, a substantial portion of electricity comes from fossil fuels like coal, which releases SO₂, NOₓ, and particulate matter. Installing energy-efficient appliances and using renewable energy sources can significantly reduce my carbon footprint (Klein & Stern, 2019).

3. Purchasing gas

Refueling involves fossil fuel combustion at the pump, emitting CO₂ and VOCs. Planning trips better and reducing unnecessary drives can lessen fuel use, thereby decreasing emissions (Klaassen et al., 2017).

4. Using plastic bags

Although primarily associated with waste, the production and transportation of plastics contribute indirectly to pollution. Opting for reusable bags reduces demand for plastic, thus lowering associated environmental impacts (Hopewell et al., 2009).

5. Household air conditioning use

Air conditioning units consume energy, often generated from fossil fuels, thus contributing indirectly to air pollution. Using fans, improving home insulation, and setting thermostats higher can mitigate these effects (Tan et al., 2015).

6. Short walking errands

Walking instead of driving reduces emissions and supports physical health. Encouraging active transportation is a simple yet effective way to minimize pollution impact (Pucher et al., 2010).

Recommendations for Minimizing Personal Impact

Based on the analysis, several strategies can be adopted:

  • Transitioning to eco-friendly transportation options, such as biking or electric vehicles
  • Reducing energy consumption through appliance efficiency and renewable sources
  • Planning trips to avoid unnecessary travel, consolidating errands
  • Choosing sustainable packaging and reducing single-use plastics
  • Optimizing home climate control to rely less on energy-intensive systems
  • Promoting active transportation and using public transit whenever possible

Conclusion

Individual behaviors significantly impact air quality. Through self-awareness and conscious choices—such as using sustainable transportation, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing waste—it is possible to decrease one’s environmental footprint. This analysis underscores the importance of personal responsibility in combating air pollution and fostering sustainable habits for future generations.

References

  • Klein, R. J., & Stern, P. C. (2019). Environmental and Energy Policies for a Sustainable Future. Green Earth Publishing.
  • Klaassen, C. D., et al. (2017). "Fossil fuel combustion and air pollution." Environmental Science & Technology, 51(17), 9499–9508.
  • Hopewell, J., Dvorak, R., & Kosior, E. (2009). "Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunities." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 2115–2126.
  • Pucher, J., Buehler, R., & Seinen, M. (2010). "Bicycling renaissance in North America." Transport Reviews, 30(4), 495–512.
  • Tan, R. R., et al. (2015). "Energy efficiency and health impacts." Energy Policy, 87, 292-301.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle." EPA.gov.
  • Klein, R. J., & Stern, P. C. (2019). Environmental and Energy Policies for a Sustainable Future. Green Earth Publishing.
  • Klaassen, C. D., et al. (2017). "Fossil fuel combustion and air pollution." Environmental Science & Technology, 51(17), 9499–9508.
  • Hopewell, J., Dvorak, R., & Kosior, E. (2009). "Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunities." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 2115–2126.
  • Pucher, J., Buehler, R., & Seinen, M. (2010). "Bicycling renaissance in North America." Transport Reviews, 30(4), 495–512.

Related Assignments