Section B: Application (15 marks)

1. In the unit 2 notes, we discussed the concept of isotopes and the various isotopes of carbon. Carbon-
14 is a radioisotope that spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay. The decay process is useful in the
context of carbon dating. Research two other naturally-occurring isotope and discuss its common uses.
Include the isotope name, element symbols, and two applications for each radioisotope. (5 marks)

Uranium

Uranium is represented by U and has an atomic number of 92. Uranium consists of two naturally
occurring isotopes: uranium-234(U234) and uranium-235(U235) (“Uranium and Depleted Uranium,”
2016). Some common uses of uranium include the making of atomic bombs, the production of high
energy X-rays, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity in a power station (“Uranium and Depleted
Uranium,” 2016).

Iodine

Iodine is represented by I and has an atomic number of 53 (“Iodine,” 2020). A naturally occurring
isotope of iodine is iodine-127(I-127) (“Iodine,” 2020). A common use for iodine is for medical purposes.
For example, it is extensively used in clinical nuclear medicine imagine and radiation therapy (“Iodine,”
2020).

2. Honey is a much more viscous liquid than water. Define viscosity in the context of liquids. Research
the chemical properties of honey and explain why this substance is more viscous than water. Compare
the chemical formula of honey to water in your response. (5 marks)

In the context of liquids, viscosity is defined as the measure of a liquid’s resistance to flow. There are
two reasons why honey is more viscous than water. The reason why honey is more viscous is because of
its strong intermolecular force of attraction. Due to this force of attraction, the particles are strongly
bound in honey making its flow slower than the water (Riddle, 2016). The structure of honey is more
complex, while the structure of water is a simple compound (Manyi-Loh, Ndip, & Clarke, 2011).
.

3. In the unit 3 notes, supercritical carbon dioxide and its applications in extracting caffeine and CBD oil
were discussed. Define a supercritical fluid. Research two other supercritical fluids and discuss their
applications. (5 marks)

A supercritical fluid is defined as a state of matter beyond the critical point that is neither liquid nor gas.
An example of a supercritical fluid is water. The main application of supercritical water is used as a green
solvent.

Another example of a supercritical fluid is methanol. The main application of supercritical methanol is
used as an antifreeze and it produces biodiesel.
 Section C: Communication (15 marks)

Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Research this compound and
discuss its effect on climate change. Address the following discussion question in your short essay (~200 –
250 words).

Greenhouse gasses are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. Nitrous oxide is

considered a greenhouse gas because it absorbs radiation and traps heat in the atmosphere. Nitrous

oxide stays in the atmosphere for roughly 114 years (Shankman, 2019). Main sources of nitrous oxide in

the atmosphere come from industrial activities, fossil fuel combustion and waste, and agriculture

(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2020). For example, agriculture soil management

makes up 72% of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere (United States Environmental Protection Agency,

2020). Some factors that contribute to this percentage include: large industrialized livestock operations,

fertilized soil and animal waste (Edwards, 2019).

Due to these factors, there are immediate and long-term effects of nitrous oxide. “Nitrous oxide

can damage the ozone layer, that humans rely on to prevent the sun’s ultraviolet radiation from

reaching the earth’s surface” (Shankman, 2019). Another threat of nitrous oxide is in the stratosphere.

When exposed to sunlight and oxygen, it converts the gas into nitrogen oxides and can damage the

ozone layer (Shankman, 2019). To reduce these threats, humans must help limit the amount of nitrous

oxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (Shankman, 2019). Some measures that can help

limit the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere include one’s daily consumption of food such

as livestock meat and dairy (Gustin, 2018). Another measure that can be taken is to properly recycle and

reduce waste. Reducing waste can include buying reusable products such as bags and water bottles. This

would limit the amount of excess waste into the atmosphere.

 References

Edwards, T. (2019). Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils. Retrieved from

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-change/reducing-nitrous-oxide-emissions-agricultural-

soils

Gustin, G. (2018). Eating less beef, Americans dropped their carbon emissions by 9%. Retrieved from

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/22032017/beef-climate-change-diet-global-

warming- carbon-footprint

Iodine. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/53/iodine

Manyi-Loh, C. E., Ndip, R. N., & Clarke, A. M. (2011). Volatile compounds in honey: a review on their

involvement in aroma, botanical origin determination and potential biomedical activities.

 International journal of molecular sciences, 12(12), 9514–9532. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms12

129514

Riddle, S. (2016). The Chemistry of Honey. Retrieved from https://www.beecultur

e.com/the-chemistry-of-honey/

Shankman, S. (2019). What is Nitrous Oxide and Why is it a Climate Threat? Retrieved from

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11092019/nitrous-oxide-climate-pollutant-explainer-

greenhouse-gas-agriculture-livestock

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Overview of Greenhouse Gases. Retrieved from

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases

Uranium and Depleted Uranium. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-

library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/uranium-resources/uranium-and-depleted-uranium.aspx