Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry formulas for JEE Main & Advanced

5 formula entries for Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry, in the order the chapter builds them. Each shows the formula, when to use it and the first trap to avoid.

Antacids

M g (O H)_{2} + 2 H C l \to M g C l_{2} + 2 H_{2} O

When to use. When treating acidity or identifying acid-neutralizing agents.

Trap. Thinking antacids stop acid production; they only neutralize existing acid.

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) Synthesis

C_{6} H_{4} (O H) C O O H + (C H_{3} C O)_{2} O \to C_{6} H_{4} (O C O C H_{3}) C O O H + C H_{3} C O O H

When to use. When asked about preparation of aspirin.

Trap. Forgetting the catalyst (conc. H₂SO₄) is needed.

Acid Rain Formation

2 S O_{2} + O_{2} \to 2 S O_{3}; S O_{3} + H_{2} O \to H_{2} S O_{4}

When to use. When explaining the chemistry of acid rain.

Trap. Forgetting that NOx also contributes (2NO + O₂ → 2NO₂; 4NO₂ + 2H₂O + O₂ → 4HNO₃).

Ozone Layer Depletion

C l + O_{3} \to C l O + O_{2}; C l O + O \to C l + O_{2}

When to use. When explaining the mechanism of ozone destruction.

Trap. Thinking ozone depletion occurs in troposphere; it is in stratosphere.

Solving Environmental Chemistry Numericals

ppm = \frac{mass of solute (mg)}{mass of solution (kg)}

When to use. When calculating pollutant concentrations or oxygen demand.

Trap. Forgetting to convert units (e.g., g to mg).

Values to remember

$0.2 %$ Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Key Examples
$1 %$ Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Key Examples
$0.2 - 0.4 ppm$ Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Key Examples
pH < 5.6 Acid Rain Formation
$B O D < 5 ppm$ (clean water) Water Pollution: BOD and COD
$B O D \geq 17 ppm$ (highly polluted) Water Pollution: BOD and COD
$1 ppm = 1 mg/L$ Solving Environmental Chemistry Numericals

Read the full chapter: Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry for JEE, with what JEE asks and the common traps.