Air Pollution Review

What is a thermal inversion?

• A layer of warm air trapped beneath cool air

• A layer of cool air trapped beneath warm air

• A process where pollution dissolves in water

• A reaction between primary and secondary pollutants

Which of the following is NOT a criteria pollutant?

• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Lead (Pb)

• Particulate matter

Which of the following is a secondary pollutant?

• Carbon monoxide (CO)

• Ground-level ozone (O₃)

• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)

• Lead (Pb)

Acid precipitation is caused primarily by the reaction of water with which two pollutants?

• Carbon monoxide and methane

• Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides

• Ozone and volatile organic compounds

• Particulate matter and lead

Which of the following is the biggest source of sulfur dioxide pollution?

• Vehicle emissions

• Industrial coal combustion

• Wildfires

• Household cleaning products

Carbon monoxide (CO) is dangerous because:

• It is highly reactive with water

• It reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen

• It causes acid rain

• It is a major greenhouse gas

Thermal inversions are more likely to occur:

• on clear, calm nights
• during summer afternoons
• on rainy, windy days
• in areas of high elevation

What season are ozone action days most likely to be declared?

• Spring

• Summer

• Fall

• Winter

What is the normal pH of rainwater?

• 7.0

• 5.6

• 4.0

• 3.5

What primary pollutants react to form ground-level ozone?

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)

• Lead (Pb) and particulate matter

• Methane and carbon dioxide