Environmental Science: GHG Emission Factors Quiz

Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of how much a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming compared to carbon dioxide (CO2). It indicates the relative heat-trapping ability of a gas over a specific time period.

An emission factor is used to estimate the amount of pollutants or greenhouse gases released from a specific activity or source. It represents the quantity of emissions per unit of product or activity. For example, an emission factor for a coal power plant would indicate how much CO2 is released per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated.

The lower explosive limit (LEL) of a flammable gas or vapor represents the minimum concentration of the substance in air that can ignite and cause an explosion. Below this concentration, there isn't enough fuel for the explosion to occur.

The upper explosive limit (UEL) of a flammable gas or vapor represents the maximum concentration of the substance in air that can ignite and cause an explosion. Above this concentration, there isn't enough oxygen for the explosion to occur.

Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny solid particles and liquid droplets that are suspended in the air. The size of these particles is categorized to assess their potential health effects. Smaller particles like PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs.

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. These particles are small enough to deeply penetrate into the lungs and cause significant health risks. PM2.5 can be emitted from various sources, including combustion, vehicle exhaust, and industrial processes.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can have serious consequences for human health. Studies have shown that it can contribute to heart disease, stroke, respiratory illnesses, and even lung cancer.

Exposure to ozone (O3) can lead to various health problems, including respiratory illnesses, lung damage, and cardiovascular issues. Its effects primarily impact those with existing respiratory conditions and children.

A body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater.

An aquifer where groundwater is held between layers of impermeable rock or clay.

An aquifer where the water table is exposed to the atmosphere.

The upper surface of the saturated zone in an unconfined aquifer.

The process where contaminants move through the soil and into groundwater.

A group of organic compounds found in gasoline and other petroleum products.

A type of groundwater contamination where a substance spills and floats on top of the water.

The process where a contaminant evaporates from the soil into the air.

The process by which contaminants dissolve into groundwater.

Substances that are released into the environment and can harm human health or the ecosystem.

The pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its condensed phases (solid or liquid) at a given temperature in a closed system. It indicates the rate at which a liquid evaporates.

The vapor pressure of a substance is an indication of its volatility. A higher vapor pressure means the substance evaporates more easily.

The vapor pressure of a substance increases as the temperature increases. More molecules have enough energy to escape into the vapor phase.

The vapor pressure of a substance is a measure of its tendency to evaporate. A substance with a high vapor pressure is more likely to evaporate than a substance with a low vapor pressure.

The vapor pressure of a substance can be used to predict its boiling point. The boiling point is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the external pressure.

The vapor pressure of a pure liquid depends on the intermolecular forces present between its molecules.

Vapor pressure is an important concept in chemistry and engineering. It is used to design and operate processes involving liquids, such as distillation, evaporation, and condensation.

The vapor pressure of a substance is measured in units of pressure, such as mmHg or atm.

Units that express the amount of a substance, measured as a ratio of the volume of the substance to the total volume of the mixture. Examples include ppmV (parts per million volume) and ppbV (parts per billion volume), which are commonly used to express concentrations of pollutants in air.

The Partial pressure of a gas is the contribution of that gas to the overall pressure of the mixture. It expresses the pressure that the gas would exert if it occupied the entire volume of the mixture alone.

The mass of a pollutant per unit volume of the air (e.g., g/m3, mg/m3, μg/m3). It represents the total concentration of a pollutant, including both gaseous and particulate forms.

The substance's ability to be attracted and held to a solid surface. It affects how a pollutant is distributed in the environment.

A graphical representation of the relationship between the amount of pollutant adsorbed on a solid surface and the concentration of the pollutant in the liquid phase at equilibrium. It helps to predict the amount of pollutant adsorbed at different concentrations.

A graphical representation of the relationship between the amount of contaminant adsorbed onto a solid material and its concentration in the liquid phase at equilibrium. It helps understand the sorption process and predict how much contaminant will be removed from a solution.

The type of isotherm where the amount of contaminant adsorbed increases linearly with its concentration in the liquid phase. This means the sorption process continues to increase at a constant rate.

The type of isotherm where the amount of contaminant adsorbed increases rapidly at lower concentrations, but plateaus at higher concentrations. This implies the sorption sites on the solid become saturated.

The type of isotherm where the amount of contaminant adsorbed increases with concentration, but not linearly. The rate of sorption increases with increasing concentration, but in a non-linear way.

A measure of how much contaminant is absorbed by the solid material. It is expressed as the mass of contaminant adsorbed per unit mass of adsorbent.

The amount of contaminant adsorbed at equilibrium. This means the amount of contaminant in the liquid phase has stopped changing and the system has reached a state of balance.

The process where a substance (contaminant) binds to the surface of a solid material (adsorbent). It's a passive process driven by physical or chemical interactions.

The solid material that absorbs the contaminant. It can be activated carbon, zeolites, or other materials with a high surface area.

The substance that is adsorbed onto the solid material. It's the unwanted component that needs to be removed from the solution.

The liquid phase in which the contaminant is dissolved. The contaminant is removed from this phase through sorption.

The relationship between the concentration of a gas dissolved in a liquid and its partial pressure in the gas phase. It states that at a constant temperature, the concentration of a gas dissolved in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the liquid.

A dimensionless constant representing the ratio of the vapor pressure of a substance (its tendency to escape into the gas phase) to its solubility in a liquid. It indicates how readily a compound will move from a liquid to a gas.

The concentration of a gas dissolved in a liquid at equilibrium, meaning the rates of gas entering and leaving the liquid are equal.

The pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases. It's the pressure that the gas would exert if it were the only gas present in the mixture.

The process where a chemical substance moves from a liquid phase to a gas phase, like when dissolved gas escapes from a solution.

The maximum amount of solute (like a gas or solid) that can dissolve in a solvent (like water) at a given temperature and pressure.

The pressure exerted by a pure liquid at a given temperature. It's a measure of the tendency of the liquid to escape into the gas phase.

A measure of the relative amount of a substance present in one phase compared to its total amount across all phases.