IB ESS Review: Topic 6 Terms

Question 1

Atmosphere

Question 2

Stratosphere

Question 3

Troposphere

Question 4

Greenhouse effect

Answer 4

Caused by gasses that make up <1% of the atmosphere.

Question 5

Stratospheric ozone

Answer 5

Good - absorbs dangerous UV radiation from the sun

Question 6

Ultraviolet radiation

Question 7

Ozone depleting substances

Question 8

CFCs

Answer 8

Man-made molecule that was found to break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere.

Question 9

Phytoplankton

Question 10

Combustion of fossil fuels

Question 11

Primary pollutants. Main source + examples.

Answer 11

Air pollutant emitted directly from the source. Main source is the combustion of fossil fuels. Ex: carbon monoxide, black carbon (soot), NOx, SOx, unburned hydrocarbons.

Question 12

Secondary pollutants

Answer 12

Not directly emitted from a source, forms when other pollutants react in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight (more toxic). Ex: tropospheric ozone, photochemical smog.

Question 13

Photochemical smog

Question 14

Tropospheric ozone

Answer 14

Bad - highly reactive, damage lung tissue.

Question 15

Thermal inversions. What fixes?

Answer 15

Colder air moves under warmer air and traps air pollution at lower, breathable levels. Additional danger for cities in valleys. Fixed by precipitation and wind.

Question 16

Acid deposition (wet and dry)

Answer 16

Wet: Carried greater distances.
Dry: Direct uptake by the ground of pollutants in the form of particles, aerosoles, gasses in the absence of precipitation.

Question 17

Direct effect, indirect toxic effect, indirect nutrient effect

Question 18

Emissions

Question 19

Catalytic converters

Question 20

Limestone

Answer 20

Buffer acid rain acidity