Deck 8: Air and Air Pollution

Question 1

In the figure below -- what is the correct order of the layers of the atmosphere starting with the layer closest to the Earth's surface and moving away?

A)They are the stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and troposphere.
B)They are the thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.
C)They are the mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere, and thermosphere.
D)They are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

Answer 1

They are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

Question 2

Variations in the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth drives atmospheric circulation.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The Coriolis effect results from:

A)rising and falling air pressure on different parts of the Earth's surface.
B)the Earth's rotation.
C)the prevailing winds.
D)heating of the Earth near the equator and cooling near the poles.

Answer 3

the Earth's rotation.

Question 4

Primary air pollutants are formed from chemical reactions that take place in the atmosphere.

Question 5

Collectively the polar easterlies, westerlies and trade winds are known as ______.

Question 6

The Coriolis effect causes air or water to be deflected from its path and swerve to the left in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 7

Stratospheric ozone is important because it:

A)absorbs UV radiation.
B)is what we breathe.
C)powers the weather cycle.
D)supports long distance communication.

Question 8

Sources of air pollution includes all of the following EXCEPT:

A)smoke from forest fires
B)exhaust from tailpipes of cars
C)gases released during volcanic eruptions
D)no exceptions, all of the above are sources of air Pollution.

Question 9

The relationship between the Earth's atmosphere and the biosphere includes all of the following EXCEPT:

A)Organisms both depend on the atmosphere for existence and also maintain and modify its composition - for example, a balance between oxygen-producing photosynthesis and oxygen-using cellular respiration maintains the current level of atmospheric oxygen.
B)Atmospheric greenhouse gases absorb some of the heat reradiated from Earth's surface keeping the lower atmosphere within the range of temperatures that support life.
C)The atmosphere protects the Earth's surface from UV radiation and X-rays making life as we know possible.
D)Life on Earth flourishes due to the stable and unchanging nature of the atmosphere.

Question 10

Which of the following BEST illustrates a secondary air pollutant?

A)Carbon dioxide released from the burning of wood.
B)Radiation released by the burning of coal.
C)Ozone produced in photochemical smog.
D)Sulfur dioxide released through burning coal.

Question 11

What helps maintain global oxygen concentrations in the troposphere?

A)Oxygen levels remain balanced by photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
B)Photosynthesis replaces oxygen loss to air pollutants like NOx, SOx, and ozone.
C)The burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution has helped maintain oxygen concentrations in the atmosphere.
D)Excess oxygen is broken down by ozone in the upper atmosphere.

Question 12

The thermosphere is: 1. the layer of atmosphere closest to the Earth's surface where weather occurs.
2. supports long distance communication because it reflects outgoing radio waves back to Earth without the use of satellites.
3. the layer where auroras form when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gas molecules releasing energy visible as light of different colors

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)3 only
D)2 and 3

Question 13

Why is the breast milk of Inuit women living in pristine northern areas higher in PCBs than women living farther south?

A)These women consume PCB laden foods imported from the US and elsewhere.
B)The local diet of fish and whale is contaminated with PCBs from the Alaskan oil industry.
C)Natural PCBs occur in the soil.
D)The local diet of fish and whale is contaminated with PCBs blown in from countries farther south.

Question 14

How do primary air pollutants differ from secondary air pollutants?

A)Primary air pollutants contain oxygen, while secondary pollutants do not.
B)Primary air pollutants cause greater health impacts than secondary pollutants do.
C)Primary air pollutants are released directly into the atmosphere, while secondary air pollutants are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
D)Primary air pollutants are formed through photochemical reactions in sunlight, while secondary air pollutants are not.

Question 15

Winds tend to blow from areas of ___ atmospheric pressure to areas of ___ atmospheric pressure, and the greater the difference between the high- and low- pressure areas, the ___ the wind.

A)low; high; weaker
B)high; low; stronger
C)low; high; stronger
D)high; low; weaker

Question 16

Which of the following BEST illustrates a primary air pollutant?

A)Carbon dioxide released from the burning of coal.
B)Sulfur trioxide produced when sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen in the air.
C)Ozone produced in photochemical smog.
D)Carbon dioxide released through photosynthesis.

Question 17

Fine solids or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere are known as:

A)primary air pollutants.
B)secondary air pollutants.
C)hydrocarbons.
D)particulate matter.

Question 18

Ecosystem services performed by the atmosphere include protecting the Earth's surface from ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and cosmic rays.

Question 19

Which of the following surface features does not increase the chances of temperature inversions:

A)cities located in valleys.
B)cities located near a coast.
C)cities located on the leeward side of mountains.
D)cities located near a lake.

Question 20

Carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particular matter are known as ________.

Question 21

Why is photochemical smog typically worse in the summer?

A)There is more solar energy to drive photochemical reactions.
B)People tend to travel more in the summer.
C)Temperature inversions and heat domes drive photochemical reactions.
D)Warm temperatures prevent the dissipation of pollutants.

Question 22

Except for CH₄ (methane)all hydrocarbons contribute to the production of:

A)particulates.
B)acid deposition.
C)the greenhouse effect.
D)photochemical smog.

Question 23

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless, nonflammable primary air pollutant gas.

Question 24

Nitrogen oxides contribute to which of the following pollution problems?

A)Acid deposition
B)Corroding metal
C)Photochemical smog
D)Global warming
E)All of the above

Question 25

An analysis of air pollutants in an urban area resulted in the detection of NO₂, SO₂, CO, and particulates. How are all these chemicals related?

A)All of them are classified as primary pollutants.
B)All of them are classified as secondary pollutants.
C)All of them contribute to acid precipitation.
D)All are components of photochemical smog.

Question 26

Ozone is considered a secondary air pollutant because it:

A)is in the upper atmosphere.
B)is formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
C)results in higher rates of skin cancer.
D)results in asthma and other lung diseases.

Question 27

Which of the following does not contribute to smog development in the Los Angeles area?

A)Warm, sunny climate
B)Surrounding mountains
C)Large number of motor vehicles
D)Household heating fuels

Question 28

Hazardous air pollutants:

A)include such pollutants as lead, formaldehyde, and chlorine
B)are less harmful to people who live and work around facilities that produce them routinely wear protective gear
C)are not regulated as the Clean Air Act does not have any provisions for doing so
D)are only found in small concentrations in areas far from where they are released due to the global distillation effect

Question 29

How are carbon dioxide and methane SIMILAR?

A)They are secondary air pollutants.
B)They are important components of photochemical smog.
C)They are important contributors to respiratory disease in humans.
D)They contribute to global warming.

Question 30

Why is industrial smog usually worse in the winter?

A)Cold temperatures prevent the dissipation of pollutants.
B)Heat domes form, holding pollutants close to the ground.
C)Pollutants react with ice crystals, forming ozone.
D)Combustion of household fuels is higher.

Question 31

All of the following about particulate air pollution is true EXCEPT:

A)Particulate matter includes both primary air pollutants such as soot and lead, as well as secondary air pollutants such as sulfuric acid.
B)Urban areas receive less sunlight than rural areas, partly as a result of greater quantities of particulate matter in the air in urban settings.
C)Microscopic particles are less dangerous than larger particles as trace amounts of hundreds of different chemicals bind to the larger particles and inhaling these particles introduces the chemicals, some of them toxic, deep into the lungs.
D)The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)samples microscopic particulate matter at 1,000 locations around the United States because its composition varies with location and season.

Question 32

One common health consequence of pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and ozone is:

A)They are responsible for global warming related illness.
B)They irritate the eyes and skin.
C)They irritate the respiratory tract and aggravate respiratory illness such as asthma.
D)They reduce the blood's ability to transport oxygen.

Question 33

Which of the following methods would BEST control photochemical smog? 1. Switching from the burning of coal to the burning of fuel oil or methane.
2. Reducing the number of motor vehicles.
3. Regulating the emissions from bakeries and dry cleaners.

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)3 only
D)2 and 3

Question 34

What is industrial smog?

A)It is only formed by reactions involving sunlight and nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons released from automobile exhaust.
B)It is formed from sulfur oxides and particulate matter released from combustion of heating oil and coal.
C)It is formed by reactions between CFCs from industrial processes and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.
D)It is formed when secondary pollutants such as ozone combine with primary pollutants such as hydrocarbons in cold winter temperatures.

Question 35

Automobiles and trucks are NOT an important source of which of the following air pollutants?

A)Carbon dioxide.
B)Hydrocarbons.
C)Nitrogen oxides.
D)Sulfur oxides.

Question 36

Chlorine, lead, hydrochloric acid, formaldehyde, radioactive substances, and fluorides are known as __________.

Question 37

How are nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and carbon oxides related?

A)All of them are secondary air pollutants that contribute to global warming.
B)All of them are primary air pollutants that contribute to acid deposition.
C)All of them are air pollutants that are formed by combustion of fossil fuels.
D)All of them are air pollutants that result in respiratory diseases in humans.

Question 38

Ozone in the ___ is essential as it protects the Earth's surface form UV radiation but ozone in the ___ is a human-made air pollutant that contributes to global warming.

A)troposphere; stratosphere
B)stratosphere; troposphere
C)troposphere; thermosphere
D)mesosphere; stratosphere

Question 39

What causes photochemical smog?

A)It is formed by reactions involving sunlight and nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons released from automobile exhaust.
B)It is formed from sulfur oxides and particulate matter released from combustion of combustion of heating oil and coal.
C)It is formed by reactions between CFCs from industrial processes and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.
D)It is formed when secondary pollutants such as ozone combine with primary pollutants such as hydrocarbons in cold winter temperatures.

Question 40

How does carbon monoxide impact human health?

A)It is responsible for global warming related illness.
B)It irritates the eyes and skin.
C)It impairs the ability of lungs to function properly.
D)It reduces the blood's ability to transport oxygen.

Question 41

Based on a 2008 ruling by the US Supreme Court, the pollutant that the US EPA must now regulate under the Clean Air Act is:

A)carbon monoxide
B)carbon dioxide
C)CFCs
D)ozone

Question 42

Despite the increasing percentage of newer automobile models on the road, air quality has not improved in some areas of the United States because:

A)even though NOx emissions from each vehicle have been reduced, there are many more automobiles on the road now.
B)even though there are fewer cars on the road today, more NOx is released due to increased burning of coal.
C)these gases are actually present in the atmosphere and cannot be reduced further.
D)we have no means to control the output of NOx.

Question 43

Urban heat islands affect local air current and weather conditions including: 1. increased number of thunderstorms over cities in summer months
2. lingering dust domes over cities
3. stronger natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)3 only
D)Both 1and 2

Question 44

What has been the major success of the Clean Air Act?

A)Higher fuel efficiencies in cars and power plants.
B)An increased focus on alternative sustainable energy sources.
C)Significant decreases in emissions of nitrogen oxides.
D)Significantly less air pollution.

Question 45

Comparing the two images below -- the difference in emissions between the two plants below is MOST LIKELY due to:

A)a reduction in the combustion temperature of the fuel used.
B)conversion to solar energy as the energy source.
C)the use of a catalytic converter to reduce carbon monoxide emissions.
D)the use of an electrostatic precipitator to remove particulates.

Question 46

Long-term exposure to which of the following pollutants does not result in bronchitis?

A)particulates.
B)sulfur oxides.
C)nitrogen oxides.
D)carbon monoxide.

Question 47

Look at the different emission levels in the bar graph below. What BEST accounts for these differences in emissions?

A)The Clean Air Act of 1970 along with the updates and amendments of 1977 and 1990
B)The use of electrostatic precipitators in coal burning power plants
C)The development of "superclean" cars that do not emit any nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.
D)The use of lead free and cleaner-burning gasoline.

Question 48

Smaller cars, removal of sulfur from coal, and cooler combustion temperatures are examples of ways to:

A)reduce the total amount of pollutants produced.
B)reduce total amounts of pollutants after they are produced.
C)conserve energy.
D)reduce CFC production.

Question 49

Photochemical smog is a brownish orange haze formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons.

Question 50

_______ are domes of heated air that surrounds urban areas and contain high concentrations of air pollution.

Question 51

The ______ authorizes the EPA to establish limits on the amount of specific air pollutants permitted in the United States.

Question 52

Electrostatic precipitators use electrical charges to attract and track what pollutants?

A)Ozone.
B)Particulates.
C)Sulfur oxides.
D)Nitrogen oxides.

Question 53

The figure below shows how temperatures might vary on a summer afternoon over different types of landscapes. What explains the higher temperatures over the city?

A)Thermal inversions
B)Heat island
C)Dust domes
D)Photochemical smog

Question 54

Why is air pollution an increasing problem in developing countries?

A)In the desire to industrialize rapidly, less expensive but outdated, more polluting technologies are being adopted.
B)The global distillation effect brings more pollutants into developing countries than they produce locally.
C)Most people in developing countries now own two cars exacerbating urban heat islands and dust domes.
D)Developing countries are located in areas that tend to suffer from thermal inversions.

Question 55

The deteriorating air quality in developing countries can be linked to

A)leaded gasoline.
B)increased number of motor vehicles.
C)burning wood and dung.
D)all of these choices

Question 56

Based on climate data from Mount Hua in China, scientists have established the following link between air pollution and precipitation patterns:

A)High visibility-that is, low levels of air pollution - is linked with substantially more precipitation.
B)Low visibility - that is, higher levels of air pollution - is linked with substantially more precipitation.
C)The type of air pollution determines the amount of precipitation.
D)A combination of the type of air pollution and surface temperatures determines the amount of precipitation.

Question 57

Why did lead pollution decrease significantly after the creation of the Clean Air Act?

A)Lead is now removed from coal before it is used as fuel.
B)Electrostatic precipitators mandated by the Clean Air Act have greatly decreased the amount of lead being emitted from smokestacks.
C)Catalytic converters in cars greatly reduce the amount of lead emitted.
D)Leaded gasoline was outlawed.

Question 58

What was the major improvement to air quality contributed by the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act?

A)The amendments required a significant decrease in indoor air pollutants.
B)The amendments required "superclean" or zero emission vehicles.
C)The amendments required a significant reduction in 189 toxic chemicals.
D)The amendments required significant reductions in the original 7 toxic chemicals listed.

Question 59

Why do air pollution dust domes often form in urban areas?

A)Urban areas are usually in valleys.
B)There are a high number of mobile sources that emit air pollutants.
C)Pavement and rooftops concentrate heat and create relatively stable air masses that lift and keep pollutants in the air.
D)Large cities are usually located on peninsulas or islands.

Question 60

Which of the following air pollutants is correctly paired with one of its major effects?

A)sulfur oxides - acid precipitation
B)carbon oxides - corrosion of metal
C)hydrocarbons - reduced visibility
D)nitrogen oxides - blocks UV radiation

Question 61

How would you answer a person who asks you the following question? "Why should I worry about the ozone layer? Today's air quality report says there is plenty of ozone in my city."

Question 62

Common indoor air contaminants include all of the following EXCEPT:

A)formaldehyde
B)ozone
C)sulfur oxides
D)carbon monoxide

Question 63

What is the leading cause of death in children worldwide?

A)Malnutrition.
B)Acid deposition.
C)Cancer.
D)Respiratory disease.

Question 64

Identify the difference between primary and secondary sources of air pollution and give two examples of each type of pollution.

Question 65

Discuss the regulatory measures that have been taken by the United States government to control problems associated with air pollution. Evaluate the success of these efforts.

Question 66

What is sick building syndrome? Describe the conditions that might cause a building to be declared as "sick", and suggest three ways to prevent sick building syndrome.

Question 67

Which of the following statements about sick building syndrome is TRUE?

A)Sick building syndrome is linked to nausea, headaches, depression, and fatigue.
B)Sick building syndrome has been linked to lung cancer, more so than cigarette smoke.
C)Sick building syndrome contributes to increased blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.
D)Sick building syndrome has been linked to greater worker productivity.

Question 68

What is the main source of the indoor air pollutant radon?

A)The burning of wood and dung for cooking fires.
B)Natural emissions seeping into building foundations from the ground.
C)Cigarette smoking.
D)Carpeting, fabrics, and furniture.

Question 69

Why is radon more of a problem today than in the past? What specific health concerns are related to exposure to radon? Be sure to include a discussion of the source of this gas in your answer.

Question 70

Why are illnesses from indoor air pollution often overlooked?

A)They resemble common ailments like colds or flu.
B)They usually result long after exposure.
C)They only occur in developing countries.
D)They are easily controlled using modern healthcare.

Question 71

Why is indoor air pollution a serious health hazard in some developing countries?

A)The burning of coal releases significant amounts of particulates into the air.
B)People smoke more in developing countries.
C)Many homes rely on indoor burning of wood or dung without proper ventilation.
D)Most houses in these countries are well insulated, increasing household exposure to radiation.

Question 72

The National Academy of Sciences estimate 12% of all lung cancers are related to radioactivity caused by which of the following?

A)The burning of coal.
B)Nuclear power plants.
C)Residual atmospheric radiation related to nuclear weapons testing.
D)Natural emissions that occur as uranium breaks down.

Question 73

Explain the relationship between urban heat islands and dust domes. How do they increase pollution in urban areas?

Question 74

Harm to humans from radon is greatest:

A)near nuclear power plants.
B)in cities.
C)in well-insulated homes.
D)outdoors.

Question 75

What is the largest contributor to urban air pollution in Latin America?

A)Burning of coal for fuel.
B)Indoor burning of wood and dung for fuel and cooking fires.
C)Increased industrial burning of fuels.
D)Increase in numbers of motor vehicles.

Question 76

Which other indoor air pollutant increases the risk of radon-related cancers?

A)Formaldehyde from carpets and furniture.
B)Tobacco smoke from cigarettes.
C)Para-dichlorobenzene from moth balls and air fresheners.
D)Nitrogen oxides from unvented gas stoves.

Question 77

Explain how people like the Inuit, who live in remote pristine areas, are exposed to air pollution.

Question 78

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that is produced as a by-product of manufacturing.

Question 79

What are the specific roles of the troposphere and stratosphere in the overall ecology of the Earth?

Question 80

Part of the reason air quality was so poor in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the 1960s was that

A)there was a much higher concentration of cars than in other cities.
B)the city is surrounded by mountains that kept pollutants from dispersing.
C)the city is in close proximity to coal mining operations.
D)there was a greater amount of pollutants due to the city's chemical and oil refineries.