photochemical smogs

Question 1

describe the formation of photochemical smog

Answer 1

1) in the combustion of engines the high temps cause nitrogen to be converted into nitrous monoxide
2) Nitrous monoxides are oxidized to produce nitrous dioxide which is split by UV radiation
3) this provides oxygen-free radicals which creates tropospheric ozone

Question 2

what is a photochemical smog

Answer 2

a variety of reactions of primary and secondary pollutants in the presence of UV radiation during temperature inversions creating high levels of tropospheric ozone and nitrogen oxides

Question 3

what are PANs

Answer 3

a secondary pollutant in photochemical smogs caused by the reaction of tropospheric ozone, nitrogen oxides, and unburnt hydrocarbons to form peroxyacetyl nitrates