Atmosphere and Air Pollution Overview

Tiny particles of solid or liquid substances, less than 10 micrometers in diameter.

Pollutants that are directly released into the air from sources like factories or cars.

Pollutants that are formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions between primary pollutants, sunlight, and natural gases.

The size of a particulate matter particle, measured in micrometers.

Particulate matter can be made up of both organic and inorganic substances.

Smaller particulate matter (<2.5 micrometers) can be more dangerous because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs.

Sunlight plays a key role in the formation of secondary pollutants.

Natural gases like methane and nitrogen oxides can contribute to secondary pollutant formation.

The layer of Earth's atmosphere directly above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Known for its role in absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

A region within the stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone gas (O3).

The process by which the temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere. This is due to the absorption of UV radiation by the ozone layer.

A layer of the atmosphere where temperature decreases with altitude, located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere.

The process of a meteor burning up in the mesosphere due to friction with the atmosphere, creating a shooting star.

The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, characterized by rapidly increasing temperature with altitude due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation.

The International Space Station orbits within this layer.

A spectacular natural light display in the sky, caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth's atmosphere, occurring predominantly in the thermosphere.

A colorless gas formed from chemical reactions between pollutants in sunlight. It damages lung tissue and can worsen respiratory problems.

An odorless, colorless gas that reduces oxygen in the body. It's dangerous from sources like car exhaust.

A colorless gas with a strong odor, often released by industrial processes. It contributes to acid rain.

A reddish-brown gas that irritates the respiratory system and contributes to smog. It's a common air pollutant.

These are tiny particles of solid or liquid substances, less than 10 micrometers in diameter, that are suspended in the air. They can directly affect our respiratory system.

The six common air pollutants identified as major threats to public health and the environment. They are strictly regulated.

Sunlight plays a critical role in the formation of secondary pollutants, triggering chemical reactions between primary pollutants and other atmospheric components.

The process by which pollutants react in the atmosphere with sunlight, forming harmful secondary pollutants like ozone (O3).

A type of air pollution formed from chemical reactions involving hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and sunlight. It often leads to a hazy appearance in the air and can have harmful effects on human health and the environment.

These are reactions involving hydrocarbons that can be photo-oxidized in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) to form ozone (O3).

These are reactions where primary pollutants react with oxygen and sunlight, forming ozone (O3) and other harmful substances.

The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and biomass (wood, crops) releases carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and ozone formation.

The chemical reaction that converts carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) during ozone formation, also producing one ozone molecule (O3).