Question

The automobile emission can be reduced by adding which of the following to petrol?
(A) Barium salts
(B) Cadmium salts
(C) Cobalt salts
(D) Silicon 011

Answer 1

Hint: All living things are harmed by air pollution. They cause plants to die off too soon and decrease crop development and output. It is said that salts of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals when added to petrol can reduce its ill effects and thus can reduce emissions.
Step by step solution:
Our respiratory system relies entirely on air. Animals' and humans' respiratory systems are negatively impacted by air pollution. In addition to harmless gases like nitrogen and oxygen, smokestacks from thermal power plants, smelters, and other industries also discharge particle and gaseous air pollutants. Before releasing the innocuous gases into the environment, these pollutants must be removed from or filtered out.
At least in the main cities, automobiles have a significant role in air pollution. This issue is now spreading to other cities as a result of the rise in automobile traffic.
Utilizing lead-free gasoline or diesel and performing routine maintenance on cars helps lessen the toxins they release. Automobiles are equipped with catalytic converters, which use pricey metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium as catalysts to reduce the emission of toxic gases. Unburned hydrocarbons are transformed into carbon dioxide and water as the exhaust travels through the catalytic converter, while carbon monoxide and nitric oxide are turned into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, respectively. Unleaded gasoline is recommended for use in automobiles fitted with catalytic converters since lead in gasoline deactivates the catalyst.
The burning of fuel in autos produces emissions, some of which contain harmful substances. The usage of barium salts contributes to a decrease in emissions caused by the burning of fuels like gasoline and diesel. However, the barium salt emissions that are generated at the same time are harmful when consumed. Today, salts made from alkali metals like sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium that have no negative effects are used.
Alkali metals are used in petrol because they decrease the level of emissions from automobiles.
So, option (A) is correct.
Note: CNG is a better fuel in comparison to petrol and diesel. Contrary to gasoline or diesel, CNG burns most effectively in vehicles, and very little of it is wasted. Additionally, CNG is less expensive than gasoline or diesel and cannot be stolen or tampered with like those fuels. The primary issue with transitioning to CNG is the challenge of installing pipelines to deliver CNG through distribution points/pump locations and guarantee the continuous supply.