All Flashcards
What is the main goal of the Clean Air Act?
To set emission standards for cars and limit pollutant release into the atmosphere.
What substances are targeted by the Montreal Protocol?
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other ozone-depleting substances.
What is the primary focus of the Kyoto Protocol?
Setting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for participating countries.
Define primary air pollutant.
Pollutants released directly from a source.
Define secondary air pollutant.
Pollutants formed when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.
What is photochemical smog?
Smog created by the reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and VOCs with heat and sunlight.
What is thermal inversion?
A deviation from the normal temperature gradient where a layer of warm air traps cooler air below it.
Define Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature.
What is Particulate Matter?
A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.
Define emission standards.
Regulations setting maximum amounts of pollutants that can be released.
What is acid rain?
Rainfall made acidic by atmospheric pollution, typically caused by industrial emissions.
Define air quality index (AQI).
An index for reporting daily air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is.
What are CFCs?
Chlorofluorocarbons, harmful chemicals phased out by the Montreal Protocol.
What is the main cause of air pollution?
Combustion, which releases byproducts and impurities into the air.
Why are cities in valleys prone to thermal inversions?
Valleys trap cool air, allowing warm air to sit on top and trap pollutants.
Why is indoor air pollution often worse than outdoor?
Poor ventilation traps contaminants, and we spend a lot of time indoors.
What role does sunlight play in smog formation?
Sunlight provides the energy for nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons to react and form smog.
What is the significance of the Clean Air Act?
It sets emission standards for cars and limits pollutant release.
How does transitioning to renewable energy reduce air pollution?
It reduces the burning of fossil fuels, which are a major source of air pollutants.
Describe the relationship between NOx and ozone.
NOx reacts with hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight to form tropospheric ozone, a component of smog.
How does fuel efficiency reduce air pollution?
More fuel-efficient vehicles burn less fuel, releasing fewer pollutants.
Explain the impact of thermal inversions on air quality.
Thermal inversions trap pollutants, leading to prolonged periods of poor air quality.
What makes tropospheric ozone a secondary pollutant?
It is formed by the reaction of primary pollutants (NOx and VOCs) in the atmosphere.