Ch 12 Key Terms

Question 1

Air Pollution

Answer 1

The contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural sources.

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

Question 6

Sick-building syndrome

Answer 6

Buildings that have very poor air quality. Most common in hot places where buildings are tightly sealed to keep out the heat.

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

Acid Precipitation

Answer 8

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

Question 9

pH

Answer 9

A measure of how acidic or basic a substance is.

Question 10

Acid shock

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Decibel

Answer 11

The most common unit used to measure loudness.