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

Occurs when the air above is warmer than the air below

Question 6

Sick-building syndrome

Answer 6

Buildings that have very poor air quality

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

Measurement in units of the intensity of sound

Question 9

Acid precipitation

Answer 9

Precipitation- rain, sleet, or snow- that contains a high concentration of acids

Question 10

pH

Answer 10

A number is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is.

Question 11

Acid shock

Answer 11

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