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

these form 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 bellow this occurs

Question 6

sick-building syndrome

Answer 6

buildings that have very poor air quality have a condition called

Question 7

asbestos

Answer 7

several minerals that form in long, thing fibers and are valued for their strength and resistance to heat are called

Question 8

decibel

Answer 8

the intensity of sound is measured in units called

Question 9

acid precipitation

Answer 9

precipitation such as rain, sleet, or snow that contains high concentrations of acid

Question 10

pH

Answer 10

power of hydrogen and the number is a measure of how high acidic or basic a substance is

Question 11

acid shock

Answer 11

the sudden influx of acidic water that causes a rapid change in the waters pH is called