What is a thermal inversion?
A layer of warm air trapped above a layer of cooler air.
Define topography in the context of thermal inversions.
The shape and features of the land surface, which can trap air in valleys and block wind.
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds, air pollutants often trapped during thermal inversions.
Define particulate matter.
Tiny particles suspended in the air, contributing to air pollution and trapped during thermal inversions.
What is smog?
Air pollution caused by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants, worsened by thermal inversions.
How can stricter emission controls help?
Reduces the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere.
How can promoting public transportation help?
Reduces car exhaust and overall pollution levels.
How can using alternative energy sources help?
Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and associated emissions.
How can urban planning help?
Allows for better airflow and reduces pollutant concentration.
How does a thermal inversion differ from normal atmospheric conditions?
Normally, air gets colder as altitude increases. In an inversion, a layer of warm air sits above cooler air.
Explain the role of valleys in thermal inversion formation.
Valleys block wind, trapping cooler air and pollutants, making them prone to inversions.
Why are thermal inversions more common in winter?
The ground cools faster than the air, creating a layer of cool air near the surface.
How do high-pressure systems contribute to thermal inversions?
They cause air to sink and warm, creating a layer of warm air aloft that traps cooler air below.
Explain the relationship between thermal inversions and air pollution.
Thermal inversions trap pollutants near the surface, worsening air quality and health impacts.
Describe the impact of topography on thermal inversions.
Valleys and mountains block wind, trapping air and pollutants, leading to thermal inversions.
What role does solar radiation play in thermal inversions?
Clear skies during inversions increase solar radiation, potentially leading to increased ground-level ozone formation.
Explain the concept of a 'lid' in the context of thermal inversions.
The warm air layer acts like a lid, preventing pollutants from rising and dispersing.
