ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY EXAMINATION
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWER WITH
EXPLANATION GRADED A+ STUDY GUIDE SOUTHERN
NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
1. Environmental chemistry studies:
A. Chemical processes in the environment
B. Human anatomy
C. Cell biology only
D. Astronomy
Answer: A
Rationale: It focuses on chemical interactions in air, water, and soil.
2. The main environmental compartments are:
A. Air, water, soil
B. Rocks only
C. Oceans only
D. Plants only
Answer: A
Rationale: These are the major environmental media.
3. The atmosphere is composed mainly of:
A. Nitrogen and oxygen
B. Hydrogen only
C. Carbon only
D. Helium only
Answer: A
Rationale: Nitrogen (~78%) and oxygen (~21%).
4. Greenhouse gases include:
A. CO₂, CH₄, N₂O
B. O₂ only
C. N₂ only
D. He
Answer: A
Rationale: These gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
,5. The greenhouse effect is:
A. Warming due to heat trapping gases
B. Cooling of Earth
C. Soil formation
D. Ocean freezing
Answer: A
Rationale: Heat is retained in the atmosphere.
6. Acid rain is caused mainly by:
A. SO₂ and NOx
B. Oxygen
C. Nitrogen only
D. Helium
Answer: A
Rationale: Forms sulfuric and nitric acids.
7. pH of acid rain is usually:
A. Below 5.6
B. Above 7
C. Exactly 7
D. Above 10
Answer: A
Rationale: Naturally acidic precipitation.
8. Ozone layer is found in:
A. Stratosphere
B. Troposphere
C. Lithosphere
D. Hydrosphere
Answer: A
Rationale: Protects Earth from UV radiation.
9. Ozone depletion is mainly caused by:
A. CFCs
B. CO₂
C. O₂
D. N₂
Answer: A
Rationale: Chlorofluorocarbons destroy ozone.
, 10. Photochemical smog is formed in presence of:
A. Sunlight and NOx
B. Water only
C. Soil only
D. Oxygen only
Answer: A
Rationale: Sunlight drives reactions producing smog.
11. Primary pollutants are:
A. Emitted directly into air
B. Formed in soil only
C. Always natural
D. Non-toxic always
Answer: A
Rationale: Released directly from sources.
12. Secondary pollutants are:
A. Formed in the atmosphere
B. Emitted directly
C. Solid only
D. Metals only
Answer: A
Rationale: Result of chemical reactions.
13. Carbon monoxide is:
A. Toxic gas
B. Oxygen carrier
C. Harmless gas
D. Water vapor
Answer: A
Rationale: Binds hemoglobin strongly.
14. Carbon dioxide mainly causes:
A. Global warming
B. Acid rain
C. Ozone formation
D. Soil fertility
Answer: A
Rationale: Greenhouse gas effect.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWER WITH
EXPLANATION GRADED A+ STUDY GUIDE SOUTHERN
NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
1. Environmental chemistry studies:
A. Chemical processes in the environment
B. Human anatomy
C. Cell biology only
D. Astronomy
Answer: A
Rationale: It focuses on chemical interactions in air, water, and soil.
2. The main environmental compartments are:
A. Air, water, soil
B. Rocks only
C. Oceans only
D. Plants only
Answer: A
Rationale: These are the major environmental media.
3. The atmosphere is composed mainly of:
A. Nitrogen and oxygen
B. Hydrogen only
C. Carbon only
D. Helium only
Answer: A
Rationale: Nitrogen (~78%) and oxygen (~21%).
4. Greenhouse gases include:
A. CO₂, CH₄, N₂O
B. O₂ only
C. N₂ only
D. He
Answer: A
Rationale: These gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
,5. The greenhouse effect is:
A. Warming due to heat trapping gases
B. Cooling of Earth
C. Soil formation
D. Ocean freezing
Answer: A
Rationale: Heat is retained in the atmosphere.
6. Acid rain is caused mainly by:
A. SO₂ and NOx
B. Oxygen
C. Nitrogen only
D. Helium
Answer: A
Rationale: Forms sulfuric and nitric acids.
7. pH of acid rain is usually:
A. Below 5.6
B. Above 7
C. Exactly 7
D. Above 10
Answer: A
Rationale: Naturally acidic precipitation.
8. Ozone layer is found in:
A. Stratosphere
B. Troposphere
C. Lithosphere
D. Hydrosphere
Answer: A
Rationale: Protects Earth from UV radiation.
9. Ozone depletion is mainly caused by:
A. CFCs
B. CO₂
C. O₂
D. N₂
Answer: A
Rationale: Chlorofluorocarbons destroy ozone.
, 10. Photochemical smog is formed in presence of:
A. Sunlight and NOx
B. Water only
C. Soil only
D. Oxygen only
Answer: A
Rationale: Sunlight drives reactions producing smog.
11. Primary pollutants are:
A. Emitted directly into air
B. Formed in soil only
C. Always natural
D. Non-toxic always
Answer: A
Rationale: Released directly from sources.
12. Secondary pollutants are:
A. Formed in the atmosphere
B. Emitted directly
C. Solid only
D. Metals only
Answer: A
Rationale: Result of chemical reactions.
13. Carbon monoxide is:
A. Toxic gas
B. Oxygen carrier
C. Harmless gas
D. Water vapor
Answer: A
Rationale: Binds hemoglobin strongly.
14. Carbon dioxide mainly causes:
A. Global warming
B. Acid rain
C. Ozone formation
D. Soil fertility
Answer: A
Rationale: Greenhouse gas effect.
