Chemical Equilibrium
What is Chemical Equilibrium?
Equilibrium is the idea that opposing forces are balanced. For example, the photo above demonstrates equilibrium - the system of rocks is at rest and balanced. Now, if a sudden gust of wind was to topple the cairn, then the system would be out of equilibrium because the rocks would be forced out of balance, and therefore equilibrium. In chemistry, equilibrium expands to reactions. A chemical reaction that is in chemical equilibrium is one that is reversible. A reversible reaction is a reaction where the compounds involved can be both the product and the reactant. For example, a reversible reaction could be how freezing water is the same as boiling water. In formula, this is H2O <--> H2O.
Equilibrium is the idea that opposing forces are balanced. For example, the photo above demonstrates equilibrium - the system of rocks is at rest and balanced. Now, if a sudden gust of wind was to topple the cairn, then the system would be out of equilibrium because the rocks would be forced out of balance, and therefore equilibrium. In chemistry, equilibrium expands to reactions. A chemical reaction that is in chemical equilibrium is one that is reversible. A reversible reaction is a reaction where the compounds involved can be both the product and the reactant. For example, a reversible reaction could be how freezing water is the same as boiling water. In formula, this is H2O <--> H2O.
Chemical Equilibrium and the Growth of the Space Industry
The Space Industry
It is expected that in the upcoming years, the space industry will grow. An increase in this particular sector will cause a rise in the number of launches per year, and these launches will give rise to a substantial increase in the amount of emissions in the atmosphere. The emissions put out by rockets are harmful to the ozone layer, a protective concentration of ozone that protects the earth's surface from harmful UV rays. The gases released by rockets bond with the ozone, and destroy sections of the protective layering. The increase in UV rays that reach earth throw the earth out of equilibrium, and this is a problem that must be addressed before it becomes a something that gets out of control.
It is expected that in the upcoming years, the space industry will grow. An increase in this particular sector will cause a rise in the number of launches per year, and these launches will give rise to a substantial increase in the amount of emissions in the atmosphere. The emissions put out by rockets are harmful to the ozone layer, a protective concentration of ozone that protects the earth's surface from harmful UV rays. The gases released by rockets bond with the ozone, and destroy sections of the protective layering. The increase in UV rays that reach earth throw the earth out of equilibrium, and this is a problem that must be addressed before it becomes a something that gets out of control.
The Effects of Emissions on the Ozone Layer
The fuel that rockets burn releases what are called trace-gas molecules. Just one of these molecules has the ability to destroy up to 10,000 ozone molecules.
When launched, rockets burn either liquid or solid fuels. It is widely believed, per Martin Ross, that liquid fuels are better than solids due to the fact that liquid fuels do not
The fuel that rockets burn releases what are called trace-gas molecules. Just one of these molecules has the ability to destroy up to 10,000 ozone molecules.
When launched, rockets burn either liquid or solid fuels. It is widely believed, per Martin Ross, that liquid fuels are better than solids due to the fact that liquid fuels do not
How Earth's Equilibrium is Being Disturbed
The combination of soot and trace-gas emissions are two variables that damage the ozone layer. But how does a damaged ozone layer effect the earth? A weakened ozone layer allows excess UV rays to enter the earth's atmosphere. For humans, UV rays can cause damage to the eyes and immune system - even skin cancer. But an increase in UV rays has a an even more pressing issue - it inhibits the reproductive system of phytoplankton, the organisms at the very bottom of the food chain. If the phytoplankton die off, it will effect every organism on the planet, because slowly, the entire food chain will collapse as animals are unable to find enough food. This type of event is highly unlikely becuase it would take an immense amount of UV rays to do something this catastrophic.
A formula to sort of demonstrate how an increase in emissions disturbs equilibrium is below.
Equilibrium of the Earth = Concentration of emissions and soot in the stratosphere with cause ozone depletion, like Cl + O3 → ClO + O2
This concept basically means that the equilibrium of the earth is in balanced when there are no trace-gases or soot in the stratosphere. When the amount, or concentration, of trace-gases or soot increases in the stratosphere, then the earth becomes out of equilibrium because it allows UV rays to harm the earth. This description here is kind of how Le Chatelier's Principle is involved - if the concentration of the soot and emissions increase, then the amount of UV rays in the atmosphere increase as well.
The combination of soot and trace-gas emissions are two variables that damage the ozone layer. But how does a damaged ozone layer effect the earth? A weakened ozone layer allows excess UV rays to enter the earth's atmosphere. For humans, UV rays can cause damage to the eyes and immune system - even skin cancer. But an increase in UV rays has a an even more pressing issue - it inhibits the reproductive system of phytoplankton, the organisms at the very bottom of the food chain. If the phytoplankton die off, it will effect every organism on the planet, because slowly, the entire food chain will collapse as animals are unable to find enough food. This type of event is highly unlikely becuase it would take an immense amount of UV rays to do something this catastrophic.
A formula to sort of demonstrate how an increase in emissions disturbs equilibrium is below.
Equilibrium of the Earth = Concentration of emissions and soot in the stratosphere with cause ozone depletion, like Cl + O3 → ClO + O2
This concept basically means that the equilibrium of the earth is in balanced when there are no trace-gases or soot in the stratosphere. When the amount, or concentration, of trace-gases or soot increases in the stratosphere, then the earth becomes out of equilibrium because it allows UV rays to harm the earth. This description here is kind of how Le Chatelier's Principle is involved - if the concentration of the soot and emissions increase, then the amount of UV rays in the atmosphere increase as well.
Here is what I wrote:
My name is Peter Hunt and I am a student at San Marin High in Novato, CA. I am currently doing a chemistry project on the concept of equilibrium. I like aerospace, so I tried to find a topic that incorporated equilibrium. I began to research, and I stumbled upon the random topic of how the ozone layer is damaged by rocket emissions. Ozone depletion causes the planet to go out of equilibrium, and the thing that puts it out of equilibrium is the emissions expelled by rockets. I know that in comparison to other types of pollution, rocket emissions account for a almost irrelevant percentage of total ozone-depletion. I also know that, currently, the number of space launches could increase by tenfold in the near future, and this could lead to a greater impact on the ozone layer. So my real question is this: How can space travel pull its weight to restore the ozone layer? Is it through new fuels that don't release harmful gases that bond and destroy the ozone, is it by altering launch trajectories or sites, or by simply allowing time for the ozone layer to heal itself? What can be done to restore the earth's normal state, one without an excess of UV rays penetrating our atmosphere? Also, if this is a problem that could reach the forefront of environmental issues, how can awareness of this issue be brought to the spotlight?
I appreciate your time, and I will value what you have to say about this topic. I know that there will be a day in the future, no matter how far off in the distance, when space exploration becomes as normal as driving a car. That’s why I have asked for your ideas on its effects on earth, because I know that NASA will be at the center of any future strides in space exploration.
I hope to learn about what can be done about rocket emissions, because the space industry is growing and only figures to get larger in the future
My name is Peter Hunt and I am a student at San Marin High in Novato, CA. I am currently doing a chemistry project on the concept of equilibrium. I like aerospace, so I tried to find a topic that incorporated equilibrium. I began to research, and I stumbled upon the random topic of how the ozone layer is damaged by rocket emissions. Ozone depletion causes the planet to go out of equilibrium, and the thing that puts it out of equilibrium is the emissions expelled by rockets. I know that in comparison to other types of pollution, rocket emissions account for a almost irrelevant percentage of total ozone-depletion. I also know that, currently, the number of space launches could increase by tenfold in the near future, and this could lead to a greater impact on the ozone layer. So my real question is this: How can space travel pull its weight to restore the ozone layer? Is it through new fuels that don't release harmful gases that bond and destroy the ozone, is it by altering launch trajectories or sites, or by simply allowing time for the ozone layer to heal itself? What can be done to restore the earth's normal state, one without an excess of UV rays penetrating our atmosphere? Also, if this is a problem that could reach the forefront of environmental issues, how can awareness of this issue be brought to the spotlight?
I appreciate your time, and I will value what you have to say about this topic. I know that there will be a day in the future, no matter how far off in the distance, when space exploration becomes as normal as driving a car. That’s why I have asked for your ideas on its effects on earth, because I know that NASA will be at the center of any future strides in space exploration.
I hope to learn about what can be done about rocket emissions, because the space industry is growing and only figures to get larger in the future