#AP Environmental Science: Smog - Your Ultimate Study Guide

Hey there, future AP Environmental Science rockstar! Let's break down smog into bite-sized pieces so you're totally prepped for the exam. Think of this as your late-night study buddy, here to make sure everything clicks. Let's dive in!

#What is Smog? 🌫️

Smog is basically a mashup of smoke and fog. It's a type of air pollution that looks like a haze or fog. There are two main types:

• Industrial Smog (aka gray/sulfurous smog)
• Photochemical Smog (aka brown smog)

#Industrial Smog (Gray/Sulfurous Smog)

• What is it? Smog from industrial emissions, especially from burning coal.
• Main Pollutant: Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$).
• Appearance: Thick, yellowish haze.
• Where? Areas with heavy industrial activity (power plants, factories).

#Photochemical Smog (Brown Smog)

• What is it? Smog formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants.
• Main Pollutants: Nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
• Appearance: Brownish-gray haze.
• Where? Urban areas with lots of traffic and industrial activity.

#Key Vocabulary 📚

• Gray Smog: Industrial smog, mainly from sulfur dioxide.
• Sulfurous Smog: Another name for gray smog.
• Brown Smog: Photochemical smog, with nitrogen compounds giving it a brownish color.
• Photochemical Smog: Smog formed by sunlight reacting with pollutants.
• VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds, released from vehicles, industrial processes, and even trees.
• Tropospheric Ozone ($O_3$): Ozone in the lower atmosphere; a key component of photochemical smog.

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