Impact on the Atmosphere

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Air Pollution Noun

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[air puh-loo-shun]

Back

Air Pollution

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The contamination of air by harmful substances, including gases and smoke, that can negatively impact the environment and health.

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Example: Factory emissions release gases like NOx and SO2, showing air pollution's impact on trees and the atmosphere.

Front

Fossil Fuels Noun

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[fos-uhl fyoo-uhls]

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Fossil Fuels

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Energy sources like coal and oil, formed from ancient organic matter, that release pollutants when burned for power.

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Example: A power plant burning fossil fuels releases smoke, showing how energy production affects the atmosphere.

Front

Photochemical Smog Noun

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[foh-toh-kem-i-kuhl smog]

Back

Photochemical Smog

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A brownish haze formed when nitrogen and carbon compounds in the air react with sunlight, creating various pollutants.

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Example: Solar radiation reacts with nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons to form photochemical smog.

Front

Ozone Noun

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[oh-zohn]

Back

Ozone

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A gas that is a harmful pollutant near Earth's surface but forms a protective layer in the upper atmosphere.

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Example: The image shows how the ozone layer protects Earth by blocking harmful UV rays from the sun.

Front

Particulate Matter Noun

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[par-tik-yuh-lit mat-er]

Back

Particulate Matter

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A mixture of tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, such as smoke, dust, and dirt.

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Example: A car emitting smoke shows particulate matter as tiny particles in the air.

Front

Acid Precipitation Noun

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[as-id pri-sip-i-tey-shuhn]

Back

Acid Precipitation

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Rain or snow with a lower pH than normal, caused by atmospheric pollutants reacting with water in the air.

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Example: Pollutants from factories mix with water in the air to form acid rain, harming trees.

Front

pH Noun

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[pee-eych]

Back

pH

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A numerical scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of a substance, typically on a scale of 0 to 14.

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Example: The image shows a pH scale from 0 to 14, indicating acidity and alkalinity.

Front

Asthma Noun

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[az-muh]

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Asthma

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A respiratory condition where airways narrow, causing difficulty breathing, which can be triggered by various air pollutants.

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Example: The image shows lungs surrounded by pollution sources like smoke and cars, explaining how pollutants can trigger asthma.

Front

Ozone Layer Noun

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[oh-zohn ley-er]

Back

Ozone Layer

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A protective region in the upper atmosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

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Example: The image shows how the ozone layer protects Earth by blocking harmful UV rays from the Sun.

Front

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Noun

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[uhl-truh-vahy-uh-lit rey-dee-ey-shuhn]

Back

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

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Harmful electromagnetic rays from the sun that can cause damage to the tissues of plants and animals.

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Example: The image shows how the ozone layer protects Earth by blocking harmful UV radiation from the sun.