Chemistry
State the utility of carbon dioxide for manufacture of food by plants. State its role in warming the earth's environment and in excess resulting in global warming.
Answer
Plants manufacture food by the process of photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by the plants in the presence of chlorophyll [the green pigment in plants] and sunlight, resulting in the formation of carbohydrates and release of oxygen.
The sun's rays consist of infrared, visible rays and ultra violet rays. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere allows the reflected ultraviolet rays to pass through but prevents the infrared radiations from being radiated out, resulting in warming of the earth.
Due to pollution, concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing. This excess carbon dioxide is warming the earth's surface to a harmful extent resulting in global warming.
Related Questions
State how nitrogen is utilized by plants for their growth. Give a reason why nitrogen is used in flushing food packages.
Oxygen of the air is utilized for 'combustion' and for 'respiration'. Compare the two with a suitable example.
State the utility of -
(a) water vapour
(b) rare or inert gases present in air.
Give the environment effect of three polluting gases with a reason why nitrogen is not considered a polluting gas.