Ch. 12 Key Terms

Question 1

Air Pollution

Answer 1

When harmful substances build up in the air to unhealthy levels

Question 2

Primary Pollutant

Answer 2

A pollutant that is put directly into the air by human activity

Question 3

Secondary Pollutant

Answer 3

when primary pollutants react with other primary pollutants or with naturally occurring substances such as water vapor

Question 4

Smog

Answer 4

When air pollution hangs over urban areas and reduces visibility

Question 5

Temperature Inversion

Answer 5

when the air above is warmer than the air below. Figure 1.8 shows how a temperature inversion traps pollutants nearEarth’s surface

Question 6

Sick Building Syndrome

Answer 6

Buildings that have very poor air quality have a condition

Question 7

Asbestos

Answer 7

Several minerals that form in long, thin fibers and that are valued for their strength and resistance to heat

Question 8

Decibel (dB)

Answer 8

The intensity of sound is measured in units

Question 9

Acid Precipitation

Answer 9

precipitation—rain, sleet, or snow—that contains a high concentration of acids

Question 10

pH

Answer 10

a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is

Question 11

Acid shock

Answer 11

This sudden influx of acidic water that causes a rapid change in the water’s pH