Chapter 12 Key Terms

Question 1

Air pollution

Answer 1

When harmful substances build up in the air

Question 2

Primary Pollutant

Answer 2

a Pollutant put directly in the air by human activities

Question 3

Secondary Pollutant

Answer 3

Forms when primary pollutants react with other primary pollutions or naturally occurring substances

Question 4

Smog

Answer 4

Pollution that hangs down around urban areas that reduces visibility

Question 5

Temperature Inversion

Answer 5

When 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

Question 7

Asbestos

Answer 7

Primarily a fire retardant and insulator, exposure to asbestos in the air is extremely harmful

Question 8

Decibel (dB)

Answer 8

Measure of the intensity of sound

Question 9

Acid Precipitation

Answer 9

Precipitation that has a high concentration of acid

Question 10

pH

Answer 10

Measure of how acidic or basic something is

Question 11

Acid Shock

Answer 11

Sudden influx of acidic water, creates a rapid change in the waters pH