Lecture 8: Air Environment Flashcards
A colorless, odorless, tasteless, gaseous mixture
Air
Air is a ____, _____, _____, gaseous mixture
colorless; odorless; tasteless
Air is a mixture of mostly ____ and ____ with traces of ____, ____, ____ and other minute components
nitrogen; oxygen; carbon dioxide; argon; water vapor
a blanket of air made up of a mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth and reaches almost 350 miles from the surface of the Earth
Atmosphere
It absorbs energy from the Sun,
recycles water and other chemicals, and works with the electrical and magnetic forces to provide a moderate climate
Atmosphere
4 main atmospheric regions based on temperature difference
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
2 main atmospheric regions based on physical and chemical processes
ozonosphere
ionosphere
Troposphere extends from sea level up to _______ feet over the poles and to _____-_____ feet over the equatorial regions
20,000; 55,000; 60,000
where vast majority of weather,
clouds, storms, and temperature
differences occurs
Troposphere
Temperatures within the troposphere decrease with an increase in altitude (_______)
Lapse Rate
Temperatures within the troposphere decrease with an increase in altitude (Lapse Rate) at a constant rate of ____°F or ____°C per _____ ft increase in altitude
3.5; 2; 1000
top most layer of the troposphere, which serves as a dividing region before the next layer
Tropopause
extends from the tropopause to a height of about 160,000 feet or about 30 miles
Stratosphere
Stratosphere extends from the tropopause to a height of about _________ feet or about ______ miles
160,000; 30
in the stratosphere, Temperature gets warmer with an increase in altitude; usually moving from a temperature of ____ F to
about _____ F.
-76; -40
extends from beyond the stratosphere to about 280,000 feet or from about 30 to 50 miles
Mesosphere
Mesosphere extends from beyond the stratosphere to about _______ feet or from about ___ to ___ miles
280,000; 30; 50
At first, the temperature _____ in the mesosphere, but then it _____ at the top of the layer to about _____F.
increases; decreases; -130
begins at about 50 miles up and extends to about 300 miles.
Thermosphere
Thermosphere begins at about ____ miles up and extends to about ______ miles.
50; 300
In the thermosphere, the temperature increases again. How much it increases depends on solar activity, but it is usually between ____ F and ______ F.
1,380; 2280
the Sun’s radiation reacts with the
oxygen molecules and causes them
to pick up a third atom, creating
______.
Ozone
Ozonosphere extends from about ____ to ____ miles
10; 30
performs the very important
function of shielding the Earth
from ultraviolet and infrared
radiation.
Ozonosphere
Ionosphere begins at an altitude of about ____ miles and extends outward to about ____ miles
25; 250
Because of the interactions between atmospheric particles and the Sun’s radiation, there is a loss or gain in the electrons of the atoms and molecules, and thus the word “____”.
ion
body of air in motion due to difference in pressure
Wind
is defined as the direction from which the wind is blowing
Wind Direction
is the total energy of all molecules within a substance.
Heat
Four ways to transfer heat
Conduction
Convection
Advection
Radiation
a heated particle comes in contact with another particle, and the 2nd particle absorbs some of its heat
Conduction
heat transfer by vertical motion
Convection
lateral transfer of heat
Advection
heat energy from the sun
Radiation
The weight or push of gaseous molecules on the Earth’s surface
Atmospheric Pressure
Any visible or invisible particle or gas found in the air that is not part of the original, normal composition.
Air Pollution
Examples of Natural Air Pollution
Forest Fires, Pollen Dust Storms,
Examples of Unnatural Air Pollution
Burning fuels
Indicates whether pollutant levels in air may cause health concerns
Air Quality Index
AQI
Air Quality Index
AQI ranges from ___ to ____
0; 500
Sources of Air Toxics
- Routine Emissions from Stationary Sources
- Accidental Releases
- Mobile Sources
- Forest Fires
5 Major Pollutants
- Carbon Monoxide
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Particulate Matter
- Ground Level Ozone
produced when carbon does not burn in fossil fuels
Carbon Monoxide
deprives body of O2 causing headaches, fatigue, and impaired vision
Carbon Monoxide
produced when coal and fuel oil are burned
Sulfur Dioxide
narrows the airway, causing wheezing and shortness of breath, especially in those with asthma
Sulfur Dioxide
present in power plant exhaust
Sulfur Dioxide
reddish, brown gas
Nitrogen Dioxide
produced when nitric oxide combines with oxygen in the atmosphere
Nitrogen Dioxide
affects lungs and causes wheezing; increases chance of respiratory infection
Nitrogen Dioxide
particles of different sizes and
structures that are released into
the atmosphere
Particulate Matter
present in many sources including
fossil fuels, dust, smoke, fog, etc.
Particulate Matter
aggravates heart and lung
disease; increases risk of
respiratory infection
Particulate Matter
can build up in respiratory system
Particulate Matter
at upper level, ozone ____
shields Earth from sun’s harmful UV rays
at ground level, ozone ____
is a harmful pollutant
irritate respiratory system and
asthma; reduces lung function by
inflaming and damaging lining of lungs
Ground Level Ozone
formed from car, power and
chemical plant exhaust
Ground Level Ozone
These 5 major pollutants form!!!
SMOG!!!!
Smog is a combination of ___ and ___
smoke and fog
forms when heat and sunlight react gases
photochemical smog
Occurs often with heavy
traffic, high temperatures, and
calm winds
Smog
Combination of gases with water vapor and dust
Smog
1st smog related deaths were in ___ in ___; death toll ____ people
London; 1873; 500
Effects of Smog
Limits Visibility
Decreases UV radiation
Yellow/black color over cities
Causes respiratory problems and bronchial related deaths
Other problems
Greenhouse Effect
Global Warming
Thinning of Upper Ozone Layer
Acid Rain
Indoor Pollution
What can you do?
Ride your bike
tell you friends
pollution check on cars
ride school bus
learn more
