Ch. 12 Key Terms

Question 1

Air pollutant

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Primary Pollutant

Answer 2

A pollutant is put directly into the atmosphere by human or natural activity.

Question 3

Secondary Pollutant

Answer 3

A pollutant that informs in the atmosphere by chemical reaction with primary air pollutants, natural components in the air, or both

Question 4

Smog

Answer 4

Urban air pollution composed of a mixture of smoke and fog and produced from industrial pollutants and burning fuels.

Question 5

Temperature Inversion

Answer 5

The atmospheric condition in which warm air traps cooler air near Earths surface.

Question 6

Sick-building syndrome

Answer 6

A set of of symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, eye irritation, and dizziness, that may effect workers in modern, airtight office buildings; believed to be caused by indoor pollutants.

Question 7

Asbestos

Answer 7

Any of six silicate minerals that form bundles of minute fibers that are heat resistant, flexible, and durable.

Question 8

decibel

Answer 8

The most common unit used to measure loudness. (dB)

Question 9

Acid Precipitation

Answer 9

Precipitation, such as rain, sleet, or snow, that contains a high concentration of acids, often because of the pollution of the atmosphere.

Question 10

Ph

Answer 10

A value that is used to express the acidity alkalinity of a system; each whole number on the scale indicates a tenfold change in acidity; a ph of 7 neutral, a pH of less than 7 is acidic, and a pH of greater than 7 is basic.

Question 11

Acid Shock

Answer 11

The sudden runoff of large amounts of highly acidic water into lakes and streams snow melts in the spring or when heavy rains follow a drought