Air Quality Issues

The greatest percentage of the earth's atmosphere is composed of

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Argon

The troposphere is an area of the atmosphere

• that has clouds.

• closest to the Earth’s surface.

• where weather takes place.

• All of these statements are correct.

Air pollution

• is more common in economically developed countries.

• concentrated near the equator.

• caused by the actions of people.

• low in economically less developed countries.

Photochemical smog forms when _________ and ________ are trapped by a thermal inversion and ozone, nitrogen dioxide and PAN form.

• hydrocarbons; lead

• volatile organic compounds; oxides of nitrogen

• carbon monoxide; sulfur dioxide

• carbon dioxide; lead

Smog begins to develop in the morning because

• the sun comes up.

• people turn on lights in their homes.

• people drive their cars to work.

• power plants begin operation for the day.

Which of the following situations is most likely to develop smog?

• A small city on a mountain top with a cold climate.

• A large city in a valley with a hot climate.

• A small city in a valley with a cold climate.

• A large city in a valley with a cold climate.

Acid deposition (Acid Rain) is most likely to occur

• where the soil is already acid.

• in mountainous areas.

• down wind of a coal fired power plant.

• in forested areas.

Which of the following chemicals is implicated in both global warming and ozone depletion?

• chlorofluorocarbons

• sulfur dioxide

• carbon dioxide

• methane

Radon

• is a major problem throughout the world.

• is responsible for most cases of lung cancer.

• can become trapped in homes.

• is expensive to remove from buildings.

The amount of lead released into the atmosphere

• has declined since the introduction of lead free gasoline.

• has increased with the increase in automobiles.

• is greatest in rural areas.

• is directly related to the amount of acid rain.