Ch. 12 Key Terms

Question 1

air pollution

Answer 1

the presence in or introduction into the air of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.

Question 2

primary pollutant

Answer 2

A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source.

Question 3

secondary pollutant

Answer 3

A secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.

Question 4

smog

Answer 4

fog or haze combined with smoke and other atmospheric pollutants.

Question 5

temperature inversion

Answer 5

he action of inverting something or the state of being inverted.

Question 6

sick-building syndrome

Answer 6

a condition affecting office workers, typically marked by headaches and respiratory problems, attributed to unhealthy or stressful factors in the working environment such as poor ventilation.

Question 7

asbestos

Answer 7

a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics, and is used in fire-resistant and insulating materials such as brake linings.

Question 8

decibel (dB)

Answer 8

(in general use) a degree of loudness.

Question 9

acid precipitation

Answer 9

Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions.

Question 10

pH

Answer 10

The pH is equal to −log10 c, where c is the hydrogen ion concentration in moles per liter.

Question 11

acid shock

Answer 11

An acid shock can cause significant damage to freshwater species and habitats.