Study of Pollutants in Air - MeitY OLabs

Summary

The experiment investigates the effect of vehicular traffic on air pollution by measuring suspended particles in the air. Using twine, leaves, and petroleum jelly, three bundles of leaves are exposed in areas with varying levels of traffic—heavy, moderate, and none. After two hours, the leaves are weighed to determine the amount of particulate matter collected. Results show that areas with heavy and moderate traffic have higher levels of suspended particles compared to areas with no vehicular traffic, highlighting the impact of traffic on air pollution.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pollution is the addition of harmful substances into the environment, negatively affecting living beings.
• 😀 Pollutants are substances that cause harm to the environment, particularly human, animal, and plant life.
• 😀 Highly populated areas tend to have higher concentrations of dust, smoke, and particulate matter due to vehicular and industrial emissions.
• 😀 Particulate pollutants are a major concern in air quality, especially suspended particles that can be harmful when inhaled.
• 😀 The purpose of this experiment is to measure the amount of suspended particulate matter in different localities.
• 😀 Materials required for the experiment include twine thread, freshly cut broad leaves, petroleum jelly, polythene bags, and a weighing balance.
• 😀 The procedure involves tying leaves on twine, applying petroleum jelly, and weighing the leaves before and after exposure to air.
• 😀 Three bundles of leaves (A, B, C) are created and exposed to areas with varying traffic levels: heavy, moderate, and no traffic.
• 😀 The exposed leaf bundles are then weighed again after two hours to measure the increase in weight due to the accumulation of suspended particles.
• 😀 The difference in weight between the initial and final measurements reveals the amount of suspended particulate matter collected on the leaves.
• 😀 The experiment shows that areas with heavy and moderate vehicular traffic have higher levels of suspended particulate matter compared to areas with no traffic.

Q & A

What is pollution, and how does it affect the environment?

Pollution is the addition of harmful substances into the environment that adversely affect humans, animals, and plants. It disrupts the natural balance and can lead to various health and environmental problems.

What are pollutants, and how are they related to pollution?

Pollutants are substances that cause pollution. These can include gases, chemicals, particulate matter, and other contaminants that harm the environment and living organisms.

What types of pollutants are commonly found in highly populated areas?

In highly populated areas, pollutants such as dust, smoke, and suspended particulate matter are common. These pollutants primarily result from vehicular exhaust and industrial emissions.

What materials are required for the experiment described in the script?

The materials required for the experiment are twine thread, freshly cut broad leaves, petroleum jelly, polythene bags, and a weighing balance.

Describe the procedure for preparing the leaf bundles for the experiment.

To prepare the leaf bundles, tie five freshly cut leaves on a piece of twine, leaving some space between each bundle. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on both sides of each leaf, then pack the leaves in polythene bags.

How do you expose the leaf bundles to different pollution levels?

The leaf bundles are exposed to different pollution levels by placing them in three locations: one with heavy vehicular traffic, one with moderate traffic, and one with no vehicular traffic. Each bundle is labeled accordingly and exposed for about two hours.

How do you calculate the amount of suspended particles in the air?

The amount of suspended particles is calculated by weighing the leaf bundles before and after exposure. The difference in weight indicates the amount of particulate matter collected on the leaves during exposure.

Why is petroleum jelly used on the leaves in this experiment?

Petroleum jelly is used to trap the particulate matter on the surface of the leaves. This ensures that the pollutants are collected and can be measured after the exposure period.

What were the results of the experiment regarding the levels of suspended particles?

The experiment showed that the amount of suspended particles was greater in areas with heavy and moderate vehicular traffic compared to the area with no traffic. This highlights the role of vehicular emissions in air pollution.

What does this experiment reveal about the impact of traffic on air quality?

This experiment demonstrates that areas with higher vehicular traffic contribute significantly to air pollution, as indicated by the higher concentration of suspended particulate matter on the exposed leaves.