chapter 15

acid precipitation

Conversion of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to acids that return to Earth as rain, snow, or fog

Which air pollutants have caused the depletion of ozone within the stratosphere? where is the ozone hole located above earth

1. 2. Antarctica

Scrubber

A device that removes pollutants or changes them chemically before they leave factory smokestacks

Fossil fuels

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

emissions

Pollutants that are released into the air

ozone layer

Protective layer in atmosphere that shields earth from UV radiation.

catalytic converter

a platinum, coated device that oxidizes most of the VOCs and some of the CO that would otherwise be emitted in exhaust, converting them to CO2.

smog

air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog

temperature inversion

atmospheric condition in which warm air traps cooler air near the earth's surface

What is the source of most air pollution

combustion of fossil fuels (burning fossil fuels)

How does burning fossil fuels affect air quality

it releases pollutants that can cause smog and other health problems in the atmosphere