All Flashcards
How does topography affect thermal inversions?
Valleys and mountains block wind, trapping air and pollutants.
Why are thermal inversions worse in winter?
Ground cools faster than air, creating cooler air near the surface.
What role do high-pressure systems play?
Can cause air to sink and warm, creating an inversion.
How do thermal inversions affect air quality?
They trap pollutants, leading to poor air quality and smog.
What's the relationship between thermal inversion and pollution?
Thermal inversion traps existing pollutants, worsening air quality.
What is the 'lid' effect in thermal inversions?
Warm air acts like a lid, trapping pollutants near the surface.
What is the normal atmospheric condition?
Air gets colder as you go higher in the atmosphere.
How does solar radiation increase during thermal inversions?
Clear skies (no clouds) allow for increased solar radiation.
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.
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.