Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

AP Environmental Science > AIR POLLUTION (2) : AP Environmental Exam - Studying > Flashcards

AIR POLLUTION (2) : AP Environmental Exam - Studying Flashcards

1
Q

Indoor air pollution is more severe and deadly than…

A

outdoor air pollution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Indoor air pollution occurs more frequently in….

A

rural areas, as indoor burning is common

Modern buildings, however, can still suffer from indoor air pollution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Primary Pollutant

A

Pollutants being DISCHARGED INTO the troposphere

ex:
CO2 - carbon dioxide

NOx - collective term for nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2)

SO2 - sulfur dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

NOx

A

collective term for nitrogen oxides (includes NO and NO2)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

SO2

A

sulfur dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

CO2

A

carbon dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Secondary Pollutant

A

Pollutant formed from a reaction between primary Pollutant and other chemicals

Ex:
SO3

H2SO4

O3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

SO3

A

Sulfur Trioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

H2SO4

A

Sulphric acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

O3

A

Ozone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Thermal Inversion

A

the lack of mixing/convection due to density difference
(warm, lower density air already positioned on top)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Ozone

A

Stratospheric ozone is good. It helps block harmful UV and UVB from the sun. Tropospheric ozone is bad. It’s an irritant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Five main greenhouse gases

A

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

colorless and odorless

GREENHOUSE GAS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

HIGHLY TOXIC, colorless and odorless

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Nitric Oxide (NO)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

Colorless and odorless

precursor of tropospheric ozone

17
Q

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

BROWN fume

18
Q

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

precursor to sulfuric acid (acid rain)

19
Q

Particulate Matter (PM)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

Two major classes: PM2.5 + PM10

FINE PARTICLES

20
Q

Aerosols

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

Chemical similar to PM in size

e.g. Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3)

21
Q

Mercury (Hg)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

discharged from coal burning

exists in the form of CH3Hg

22
Q

Lead (Pb)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

formerly a major Pollutant from gasoline combustion

23
Q

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

(Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)

A

colorless and odorless - usually from cooking

24
Q

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

(Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)

A

HIGHLY TOXIC

formed when burning w/out sufficient oxygen

25
Radon-222 (Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)
decay product from Uranium-238
26
Asbestos (Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)
formerly used for insulation and fire prevention fine and abrasive particles CANCER CAUSING!!
27
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)
includes methane, gas emissions, etc
28
Primary Outdoor Air Pollutants from Fossil Fuels
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Carbon Monoxide (CO) Nitric Oxide (NO) Nitrogen Oxide (NO2) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Particulate Matter (PM) Aerosols Mercury (Hg) Lead (Pb)
29
Primary Indoor Air Pollutants
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (from cooking) Carbon Monoxide (CO) Formaldehyde Radon-222 Asbestos Particulates - (dust, pollens, mites) Cigarette Smoke Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
30
Clean Air Act
is a comprehensive Federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions The Clean Air Act is the United States' primary federal air quality law, intended to reduce and control air pollution nationwide. Initially enacted in 1963 and amended many times since, it is one of the United States' first and most influential modern environmental laws
31
Photochemical Smog formation
when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react to sunlight
32
Formation of Tropospheric Ozone (O3) + photochemical smog
NO (nitric oxide) + O2 (oxygen) --> NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) NO2 + UV --> NO + O O + O2 --> O3
33
Formation of Sulfric Acid (H2SO4)
SO2 (sulfur dioxide) + O2 --> SO3 (Sulfur Trioxide) SO3 + H2O --> H2SO4
34
Formation of Nitric Acid (HNO3)
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) + H2O --> HNO3
35
Solutions to Photochemical Smog by Vehicles (think Ozone and NOx)
Use public transportation Drive hybrid/electric cars Bike/Walk/Carpool Drive more fuel efficient cars
36
Solutions to Industrial Smog by Coal Power Plant (think SO2, Hg, Pb, and soot)
Use renewable energy Adopt clean coal technology Use More efficient appliances
37
Clean Coal Tech
Electrostatic Precipitator Wet Scrubber
38
Clean Car Exhaust
Catalytic Converter

AP Environmental Science (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions