APES Unit 7 and Unit 8 Test Exam |80 Complete Q’s and A’s
Which air pollutants does coal combustion release? - -carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, toxic
metals, and particulates
-What does the combustion of fossil fuels release into the atmosphere? - -Nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide
-What can the release of nitrogen oxides as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels
produce? - -Ozone, photochemical smog, convert nitric acid in the atmosphere to cause
acid rain
-Which organization and through which act was the use of lead, particularly in fuels,
dramatically decreased? - -EPA, Clean Air Act
-Are air pollutants primary or secondary pollutants? - -BOTH
-What are primary pollutants? - -pollutants that are put directly into the air by human or
natural activity.
-What are secondary pollutants? - -Refers to harmful chemicals formed in the atmosphere
when a primary air pollutant reacts with normal air components or other air pollutants
-How is photochemical smog formed? - -When nitrogen oxides and volatile organic
hydrocarbons react with heat and sunlight to produce a variety of pollutants.
-Why are ozone concentrations higher in the summer and in the peak afternoon? - -
Because ozone is produced by chemical reaction between oxygen and sunlight and during
these times the sunlight is the most extreme.
-What are VOCs? - -Volatile Organic Compounds
-What are examples of VOCs? - -Formaldehyde and gasoline
-What do VOCs do? - -Compounds that evaporate or sublimate at room temperature
-What is a natural source of VOCs? - -Trees
-Why does photochemical smog often form in urban areas? - -Because there is a large
number of motor vehicles there
-How can photochemical smog be reduced? - -Through the reduction of nitrogen oxide and
VOCs
, -How can Photochemical smog harm human health? - -causing respiratory problems and
eye irritation
-What is thermal inversion? - -A thermal inversion occurs when a layer of warm air is
above a layer of cold that is at the ground.
-What is thermal inversions effect on pollution? - -Thermal inversion traps pollution close
to the ground, especially smog and particulates.
-Which indoor pollutant can be classified as an asphyxiant? - -Carbon monoxide
-What does asphyxiant mean? - -A substance that can cause unconsciousness or death by
suffocation.
-Which indoor pollutants can be classified as particulates? - -asbestos, dust and smoke
-What are common natural sources of indoor air pollutants? - -radon, mold, and dust
-What are common human-made sources of indoor air pollutants? - -Insulation, Volatile
Organic Compounds from furniture, panelling and carpets; formaldehyde from building
materials, furniture, upholstery and carpeting; and lead from paints.
-What are common combustion air pollutants? - -Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur
dioxide, particulates, and tobacco smoke
-Where does Radon-222 come from? - -the decay of uranium found in some rocks and
soils
-How does exposure to radon gas affect humans? - -Can lead to lung cancer
-What are some ways in which air pollutants can be reduced? - -Regulatory practices,
conservation practices and alternative fuels
-What is a vapor recovery nozzle and how does it help reduce air pollutants? - -Air
pollution control device on a gasoline pump that prevents fumes from escaping into the
atmosphere when fueling a motor vehicle.
-What is a catalytic converter and how does it help reduce air pollutants? - -Air pollution
control device for internal combustion engines that converts pollutants in exhaust (CO,
NOx, and hydrocarbons) into less harmful molecules (CO2, N2, O2 and H20)
-What do wet and dry scrubbers do to help reduce air pollution? - -Removes particulates
and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams.
-What are ways in which air pollution can be reduced from coal power plants? - -
Scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators
Which air pollutants does coal combustion release? - -carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, toxic
metals, and particulates
-What does the combustion of fossil fuels release into the atmosphere? - -Nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide
-What can the release of nitrogen oxides as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels
produce? - -Ozone, photochemical smog, convert nitric acid in the atmosphere to cause
acid rain
-Which organization and through which act was the use of lead, particularly in fuels,
dramatically decreased? - -EPA, Clean Air Act
-Are air pollutants primary or secondary pollutants? - -BOTH
-What are primary pollutants? - -pollutants that are put directly into the air by human or
natural activity.
-What are secondary pollutants? - -Refers to harmful chemicals formed in the atmosphere
when a primary air pollutant reacts with normal air components or other air pollutants
-How is photochemical smog formed? - -When nitrogen oxides and volatile organic
hydrocarbons react with heat and sunlight to produce a variety of pollutants.
-Why are ozone concentrations higher in the summer and in the peak afternoon? - -
Because ozone is produced by chemical reaction between oxygen and sunlight and during
these times the sunlight is the most extreme.
-What are VOCs? - -Volatile Organic Compounds
-What are examples of VOCs? - -Formaldehyde and gasoline
-What do VOCs do? - -Compounds that evaporate or sublimate at room temperature
-What is a natural source of VOCs? - -Trees
-Why does photochemical smog often form in urban areas? - -Because there is a large
number of motor vehicles there
-How can photochemical smog be reduced? - -Through the reduction of nitrogen oxide and
VOCs
, -How can Photochemical smog harm human health? - -causing respiratory problems and
eye irritation
-What is thermal inversion? - -A thermal inversion occurs when a layer of warm air is
above a layer of cold that is at the ground.
-What is thermal inversions effect on pollution? - -Thermal inversion traps pollution close
to the ground, especially smog and particulates.
-Which indoor pollutant can be classified as an asphyxiant? - -Carbon monoxide
-What does asphyxiant mean? - -A substance that can cause unconsciousness or death by
suffocation.
-Which indoor pollutants can be classified as particulates? - -asbestos, dust and smoke
-What are common natural sources of indoor air pollutants? - -radon, mold, and dust
-What are common human-made sources of indoor air pollutants? - -Insulation, Volatile
Organic Compounds from furniture, panelling and carpets; formaldehyde from building
materials, furniture, upholstery and carpeting; and lead from paints.
-What are common combustion air pollutants? - -Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur
dioxide, particulates, and tobacco smoke
-Where does Radon-222 come from? - -the decay of uranium found in some rocks and
soils
-How does exposure to radon gas affect humans? - -Can lead to lung cancer
-What are some ways in which air pollutants can be reduced? - -Regulatory practices,
conservation practices and alternative fuels
-What is a vapor recovery nozzle and how does it help reduce air pollutants? - -Air
pollution control device on a gasoline pump that prevents fumes from escaping into the
atmosphere when fueling a motor vehicle.
-What is a catalytic converter and how does it help reduce air pollutants? - -Air pollution
control device for internal combustion engines that converts pollutants in exhaust (CO,
NOx, and hydrocarbons) into less harmful molecules (CO2, N2, O2 and H20)
-What do wet and dry scrubbers do to help reduce air pollution? - -Removes particulates
and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams.
-What are ways in which air pollution can be reduced from coal power plants? - -
Scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators
