Understanding Air Pollution: Definition and Classification

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What defines air pollution?

The introduction of substances or energy into the Earth's atmosphere causing harm to human health and the environment (correct)

The release of substances or energy into the atmosphere that benefits human health

The removal of substances from the atmosphere causing ecological damage

The introduction of energy into the atmosphere to enhance living resources

What are primary pollutants?

Pollutants that require secondary reactions to become harmful

Pollutants found in the atmosphere in the same form as emitted from the source (correct)

Pollutants that are solely caused by natural factors

Pollutants formed in the atmosphere due to reactions like hydrolysis and oxidation

Which of the following is an example of a secondary pollutant?

Carbon monoxide (CO) emitted from vehicles

Particulate matter from coal-burning

Ozone created by reactions in the atmosphere (correct)

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

What causes photochemical smog?

Oxidation, hydrolysis, and photochemistry reactions in the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

How are air pollutants classified based on their origin?

By the position of sources (stationary or mobile) Signup and view all the answers

What must occur simultaneously for an air pollution incident according to the text?

Sources, transport, and meteorological conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary gas that makes up the majority of normal air?

Nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Earth's gravity in relation to the atmosphere?

It holds the atmosphere in place Signup and view all the answers

What is the chemical symbol for helium in the normal composition of air?

He Signup and view all the answers

How is the average molar mass of dry air calculated?

(0.781 × 28.01) + (0.209 × 32.00) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the pressure of a gas in the atmosphere?

Due to collisions with other gas molecules Signup and view all the answers

Which gas constitutes less than 1% of normal air but plays a role in greenhouse gas effect?

$CH_4$ Signup and view all the answers

Why does pressure decrease with height in the atmosphere?

Because the atmospheric pressure and density decrease exponentially with height. Signup and view all the answers

What causes the stable poorly-mixed conditions characteristic of the stratosphere?

Decreasing air density above the troposphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for the temperature increase up to the stratopause at 50 km in the atmosphere?

Warming due to solar energy absorption by the ozone layer. Signup and view all the answers

What happens above the mesopause at 90 km in the atmosphere?

Energy partition between vibrational and translational modes occurs. Signup and view all the answers

What causes a non-linear decrease of equilibrium radiative temperature with height in the atmosphere?

Longwave thermal radiation emitted by the Earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

Which process defines the well-mixed region known as the troposphere?

Overturning promoted by convective forces. Signup and view all the answers

Understanding Air Pollution: Definition and Classification

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