Unit 7 APES Exam Review Questions and Answers
List ALL the air pollutants emitted from burning coal. - -Mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides, particulates, other heavy metals
-Nitrogen oxides are primary air pollutants. However, they can mix with other compounds
in the air to make photochemical smog and acid rain. Smog and acid rain are examples of
what type of pollutants? - -Organic
-The burning of diesel fuel releases what type of outdoor air pollutant? - -Particulate
matter
-Below, write a series of chemical reactions that leads to the formation of tropospheric
ozone in photochemical smog. - -Tropospheric ozone formation occurs when nitrogen
oxides, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds react in the atmosphere in the
presence of sunlight
-What is a VOC? What are their main sources? - -VOC is volatile organic compounds that
are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. Their main
sources are gasoline, lighter fluid, dry cleaning fluid, oil based paints, and perfumes
-In what seasons do we see increases in smog concentration? Why? - -Summer because
the temperatures are warmer and there is more sunlight present
-Why are there high levels of smog in urban areas? - -Nitrogen oxides come from car
exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions, VOCs are released from gas, paints and
many cleaning solvents, ultimately there is just a lot of smog where there is a lot of industry
and traffic
-Why do thermal inversion layers trap pollutants? - -As pollutants from vehicles,
fireplaces, and industry are emitted into the air, the inversion traps these pollutants near
the ground because of the warmer air above and cooler air at the surface
-What are natural sources of particulate matter in the air? - -Sea salt, dust, pollen,
-What's the difference between PM 2.5 and PM 10? - -PM 2.5 is particulate matter 2.5
micrometers or less in diameter and PM 10 is particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in
diameter
-What are some natural sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? - -Decomposition,
ocean release, and respiration
-Identify significant sources of the following indoor air pollutants: - -a) Formaldehyde:
Building materials, smoking, household products, use of unvented fuel burning appliances
List ALL the air pollutants emitted from burning coal. - -Mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides, particulates, other heavy metals
-Nitrogen oxides are primary air pollutants. However, they can mix with other compounds
in the air to make photochemical smog and acid rain. Smog and acid rain are examples of
what type of pollutants? - -Organic
-The burning of diesel fuel releases what type of outdoor air pollutant? - -Particulate
matter
-Below, write a series of chemical reactions that leads to the formation of tropospheric
ozone in photochemical smog. - -Tropospheric ozone formation occurs when nitrogen
oxides, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds react in the atmosphere in the
presence of sunlight
-What is a VOC? What are their main sources? - -VOC is volatile organic compounds that
are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. Their main
sources are gasoline, lighter fluid, dry cleaning fluid, oil based paints, and perfumes
-In what seasons do we see increases in smog concentration? Why? - -Summer because
the temperatures are warmer and there is more sunlight present
-Why are there high levels of smog in urban areas? - -Nitrogen oxides come from car
exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions, VOCs are released from gas, paints and
many cleaning solvents, ultimately there is just a lot of smog where there is a lot of industry
and traffic
-Why do thermal inversion layers trap pollutants? - -As pollutants from vehicles,
fireplaces, and industry are emitted into the air, the inversion traps these pollutants near
the ground because of the warmer air above and cooler air at the surface
-What are natural sources of particulate matter in the air? - -Sea salt, dust, pollen,
-What's the difference between PM 2.5 and PM 10? - -PM 2.5 is particulate matter 2.5
micrometers or less in diameter and PM 10 is particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in
diameter
-What are some natural sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? - -Decomposition,
ocean release, and respiration
-Identify significant sources of the following indoor air pollutants: - -a) Formaldehyde:
Building materials, smoking, household products, use of unvented fuel burning appliances
