ch 12 brainscape Flashcards
air pollution
when harmful substances build up in the air to unhealthy levels
primary pollutant
a pollutant that is put directly into the air by human activity
secondary pollutant
these form when primary pollutants react with other primary pollutants or with naturally occurring substances such as water vapor
smog
when air pollution hangs over urban areas and reduces visibility
temperature inversion
when the air above is warmer than the air bellow this occurs
sick-building syndrome
buildings that have very poor air quality have a condition called
asbestos
several minerals that form in long, thing fibers and are valued for their strength and resistance to heat are called
decibel (dB)
the intensity of sound is measured in units called
acid precipitation
precipitation such as rain, sleet, or snow that contains high concentrations of acid
pH
power of hydrogen and the number is a measure of how high acidic or basic a substance is
acid shock
the sudden influx of acidic water that causes a rapid change in the waters pH is called