Name: Padrique, Charnez Mae C.

Date Performed: February 10, 2024

Course & Year: BS ENE 3A Date Submitted: February 12, 2024
Activity No.: 1 Rating:

PARTICULATE MATTER
(FOR YOUR EYES ONLY)

I. Introduction

Air pollution is commonly a result of human activities, but in turn can be harmful to
human health and the environment. Although we might not always think of it, the Earth's
air is one of our precious resources, just like water and soils.
Therefore, we need to protect it! Air pollution can make it more difficult to breathe,
particularly for people who have asthma and for the elderly. Still, anyone who spends time
outside can be affected by poor air quality.

II. Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the student should be able to:

1. Determine what smog is, particulate matter, and major types of pollutants.
2. Explain the negative effects of air pollutants on health and the environment.
3. Explain how air pollutants accumulates during incomplete combustion

III. Materials:
Demo 1 – Incomplete Combustion Demonstration

 1 utility candle
 1 tin can (soup can)
 matches
 1 straw
 paper towel or rag
 hot mitt

Demo 2 – Smog Demonstration

 1 large glass jar

 aluminum foil
 2-3 ice cubes
 1 cup of water
 paper
 ruler
 scissors
 matches

IV. Procedure:
Demo 1: Incomplete Combustion Demonstration (Create a video while doing the procedure)

1. Light the candle.

2. Place the bottom of the can directly over the flame for a few seconds (see Figure). The top of the flame
should be almost touching the can.
3. Look at the bottom of the can. what do you see? record your observations. Do you think this is
evidence of pollution?
4. Clean off the bottom of the can with a paper towel (see Figure) observe the pollution on the towel.

5. Repeat the procedure, but use the straw to gently blow air on the bottom of the can (see Figure). Be
careful not to blow the flame out.

6. Look at the bottom, what do you see. Do you see any pollutants? Record your observations and
responses.
7. How does the additional air affect the combustion of the candle?

Demo 2: Smog Demonstration

1. Cut a strip of paper about 15 cm x 1 cm. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and twist it.
2. Use a piece of aluminum foil to make a "lid" for the jar. Mold it to the shape of the jar opening and
then remove it and set it aside.
3. Put some water in the jar and swirl it around until the inside walls of the jar are wet.
4. Put the ice cubes on top of the foil to make it cold.
5. Attention: All the parts of this next step must be done very quickly. Light the strip of paper and
drop it and the match into the jar. Place the foil lid on the jar and seal it as tightly as possible. Place the
ice cubes back on the middle of the foil lid.
6. What do you see in the jar? How is it like real smog? How is it different? write your responses.

Safety note: Do not breathe the "smog." Be sure to release it outdoors when you are finished with the
demonstration
V. Observation

The candle emits black dense smoke that

INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION is concentrated on a specific area of the
(WITHOUT STRAW) can, resulting in the accumulation of a
thick layer of black soot and dust.

The air blows away the black dense

INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION (WITH smoke, leaving only a small amount of
STRAW) soot visible on the can. This soot is
collected afterward.

Watch as smoke thickens inside the jar,

just like how smog accumulates in our
SMOG DEMONSTRATION environment. It is a powerful
demonstration of what happens when
pollutants go unchecked.

VI. Assessment (Discussion)

1. What does air pollution look like?

- Air pollution may not have a significant impact on the clarity of the view on
clear days. However, sometimes, the weather conditions, and not the haze, are
the primary factor affecting the visibility of a view.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution may appear visible
as a plume, layered haze, or uniform haze on hazy days. A plume is a column-
shaped layer of air pollution that originates from a single point source, like a
smokestack. Layered haze, on the other hand, is any enclosed layer of
pollutants that creates a contrast between that layer and the sky or the
landscape behind it. Plumes and layers can mix with the surrounding
atmosphere, resulting in a uniform haze or a general decrease in air clarity.
Plumes and layered haze are more prevalent during the cold winter months
when the atmosphere moves less. Uniform haze, however, is more common
when warm air causes atmospheric pollutants to mix thoroughly.

2. What are the causes of air pollution?

 - Air pollution has both human-made and natural sources, according to the
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Human-made air
pollution is primarily caused by vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas
used for heating homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation
(especially coal-fueled power plants), and fumes from chemical production.
On the other hand, nature also contributes to air pollution by releasing
hazardous substances such as smoke from wildfires (often caused by humans),
ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane that are
emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.

3. What are the effects?

- According to the World Health Organization, being exposed to high levels of
air pollution can result in a range of negative health outcomes, including an
increased risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer. Both
short-term and long-term exposure to air pollutants have been linked to
various health impacts.

4. Why would we want to reduce air pollution?

- Air pollution is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one
of the most serious environmental threats to human health. By lowering the
levels of air pollution, countries can significantly reduce the risk of various
diseases such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and both chronic and
acute respiratory diseases like asthma.
Air pollution is a silent killer, but it is not invincible. By working together, we
can reduce its burden on our health and the environment. Through collective
action, from individual choices to systemic changes, we can create a future
where everyone breathes clean air and enjoys a healthier, brighter tomorrow.

VII. Conclusion

Air pollution and smog are harmful to both humans and the environment, and they
pose a serious threat to our daily lives. As we continue to make progress in our way of
living, we are also experiencing an increase in air pollution problems. This is mainly due
to common activities like cooking, driving, and using fossil fuels to meet our energy
needs. The biggest consequence of this problem is climate change, which can lead to
catastrophic effects or even the end of our existence if not addressed early. We must find
a solution to this problem by exploring new sources of energy, adopting cleaner modes of
transportation, and adopting eco-friendly and cost-effective practices that do not harm
humans, plants, and animals.

Reference

 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (n.d). What is Air Pollution.

 Natural Park Service. (n.d). What does Haze look like.
  World Health Organization (2019, November 15). Health Consequences of Air
Pollution on Pollutants.
 World Health Organization (2022, December 19). Ambient (Outdoor) Air Pollution
Documentation (Each step in the procedure)

SMOG DETECTION AIR POLLUTION DETECTION SYSTEM

SYSTEM MATERIALS MATERIALS

AIR POLLUTION DETECTION SYSTEM

WITHOUT STRAW
WITH STRAW

SMOG DETECTION SYSTEM