MYP-YEAR: 5

UNIT 3: How are environmental systems sustained by their chemistry?

GLOBAL CONTEXT: Globalisation and sustainability

EXPLORATION: Human impact on the environment

Formative Assessment 2

Name: Ojas Rai Date:

SOI- Change because of human development can be identified within all environments on our
planet.

LEARNING GOAL: To investigate atmospheric pollutants produced by solid fuel

LINE OF INQUIRY- To what extent do the solid fuels contribute to indoor pollution?

ATL Skills:

Communication skills: Organize and depict information logically; Paraphrase accurately and
concisely

Critical thinking skills: Practise observing carefully in order to recognize problems; interpret
data; Gather and organize relevant information to formulate an argument

Investigating Atmospheric Pollutants

Air pollution produced by different solid fuels can be investigated using the experimental setup shown below:

Source 1 : Chemistry for IB MYP 4 & 5 by Concept, Annie Termaat, Christopher Talbot, Textbook

Common examples of solid fuels include wood, charcoal, peat, coal, Hexamine fuel tablets, wood pellets, Crop
waste such as corn, wheat, rye, and other grains’ husk.
Design an investigation plan to determine the potential of natural solid fuels for generating acid rain forming
gases, using at least 5 independent variables.

a) Explain a question to be tested in your scientific investigation. (B i)

How does the ph. value of precipitates vary from different types of natural solids?

b) Formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using correct scientific reasoning. (B ii)

If different types of solid fuels are heated, then it will lead to different acidic precipitates because the
precipitate is the solid fuel after phase change, and the different solid fuels would have different acidic
strength.
The solid fuel would be evaporated when heated, followed by condensation and lastly precipitation as
acidic rain, as seen in the Water Cycle.

c) List the variables and outline how will you manipulate them. (B iii)

Independent- Types of solid fuel heated-- wood, charcoal, peat, coal, hexamine fuel tablets

Dependent- ph. level of precipitate

Controlled Variable- Heat energy applied by heat source

PH scale used

Dimensions of solid fuel used

Time the solid fuel is heated for

Amount of glass wool

Manipulation in my independent variable which is the type of solid fuel heated would lead to a change in
my dependent variable as the ph. level of the precipitate would change. Any change in the controlled
variables will affect the accuracy of the results of the experiment.

d) List the apparatus/ equipment required. (B iv)

- Wood
- Charcoal
- Peat
- Coal
- Hexamine Fuel Tablets
- Combustion tube or hard glass test tube with hole blown end
- Heat source (heater)
- Hard glass tube
- Flask
 - Suction Pump
- Glass wool
- Timer
- Universal indication solution
- Pipe

e) Describe a logical, complete and safe method of investigation. Explain how sufficient, relevant data
will be collected. (B iii) and (B iv)

1. Using pipes, connect the combustion tube to the hard glass tube, which is to be connected to the
flask which is connect to a suction pump
2. Place glass wool in the hard glass tube
3. Place the heat source (heater) below the combustion tube, set heat energy to X
4. Put Wood in the combustion tube
5. Switch on source of heat (heater) for 2 minutes (measure using timer)
6. Measure ph level using Universal Indication Solution
7. Note down values in table given below

Type of Solid Wood Charcoal Peat Coal Hexamine Fuel

Fuel used Tablets

PH value

8. Repeat steps 2-7 with Charcoal, Peat, Coal and Hexamine Fuel Tablet
9. Conclude the experiment by validating the hypothesis.
Source: https://www.who.int/airpollution/guidelines/household-fuel-combustion/Review_2.pdf

Q.2 As a research student Sarah has carried out an experiment to find out emissions produced by
burning of different solid fuel. The results are listed above in the table. Assuming that she has used
the method suggested in source 1:

a) Interpret the data and explain using scientific reasoning which solid fuel is responsible for
most indoor air pollution in your opinion. (c ii)

The improved and vented crop residue, is responsible for the most indoor air pollution as it has a PM
level of 11.0. This is the highest compared to all the other types of solid fuels listed. PM are tiny
particles in the air which reduce the visibility and are harmful to human health. The higher the pm
levels, the more the pollution is considered.

b) Evaluate the validity of the method. (C iv)

The method is not valid as the experiment in Criterion B talks about acid precipitate whereas the
table in Criterion C talks about carbon emissions etc.
c) Explain improvements and extension to the method. (C v)

Task specific descriptors to be added