Environmental Science 110 - Final Review
89) The term "greenhouse effect" is derived from the fact that - A) greenhouse gases act like the glass in a greenhouse. B) increasing global temperatures will make the earth a better greenhouse. C) green things absorb heat energy most efficiently. D) the effect is caused by green plants.
A) greenhouse gases act like the glass in a greenhouse.
15) With respect to reactivity, oxygen is best classified as - A) highly reactive. B) somewhat reactive. C) relatively unreactive. D) comparable to helium in its reactivity.
A) highly reactive
80) In the troposphere, the reactivity of CFCs is - A) low. B) moderate. C) high. D) comparable to neon.
A) low.
18) An atmospheric inversion is a phenomenon that may have disastrous effects with respect to air pollution. An atmospheric inversion occurs when a - A) lower layer of cool air is trapped by an upper layer of warmer air.B) lower layer of warm air is trapped by an upper layer of cooler air.C) lower layer of oxygen rich air is trapped by an upper layer of oxygen deficient air.D) lower layer of oxygen deficient air is trapped by an upper layer of oxygen rich air.
A) lower layer of cool air is trapped by an upper layer of warmer air.
57) The day starts out bright and sunny. Later, a brown haze develops. This indicates the presence of - A) nitrogen dioxide. B) ozone. C) carbon monoxide. D) methane.
A) nitrogen dioxide.
29) London smog is attributed primarily to - A) the burning of coal.B) automobile exhaust.C) sunlight and nitrogen oxides.D) ozone.
A) the burning of coal
69) The ultimate source of radon in the environment is from the radioactive decay of naturally occurring - A) uranium. B) xenon. C) thorium. D) polonium.
A) uranium.
76) In terms of reactivity, ozone is best classified as - A) very reactive. B) somewhat reactive. C) unreactive. D) similar to He.
A) very reactive.
25) Which of the following statements about ozone is correct? - A) Ozone is a pollutant in both the troposphere and the stratosphere.B) Ozone is a pollutant in the troposphere but not in the stratosphere.C) Ozone is a pollutant in the stratosphere but not in the troposphere.D) Ozone is a not a pollutant in either the troposphere or the stratosphere.
B) Ozone is a pollutant in the troposphere but not in the stratosphere.
22) One of the earliest recorded records of polluted air was written by the Roman ________ in 61 A.D. - A) Caesar Augustus B) Seneca C) Cato the Elder D) Pliny
B) Seneca
8) Which of the following statements is NOT true? - A) The temperature of the mesosphere falls as you get farther from the earth's surface.B) The temperature of the stratosphere falls as you get farther from the earth's surface.C) The temperature of the stratosphere rises as you get farther from the earth's surface.D) The temperature of the troposphere falls as you get farther from the earth's surface.
B) The temperature of the stratosphere falls as you get farther from the earth's surface
36) Sulfur dioxide is readily absorbed in the respiratory system where it is - A) soothing. B) a powerful irritant. C) mildly irritating. D) unreactive.
B) a powerful irritant.
30) The complete oxidation of coal produces - A) carbon monoxide (CO). B) carbon dioxide (CO2). C) particulate matter. D) soot.
B) carbon dioxide
4) The most important of the minor components of dry air is - A) argon.B) carbon dioxide.C) helium.D) neon.
B) carbon dioxide
5) The concentration of which component of the atmosphere has increased dramatically since the beginning of the industrial era? - A) argonB) carbon dioxideC) oxygenD) nitrogen
B) carbon dioxide
6) Which component of the atmosphere is predicted to rise in the foreseeable future? - A) argonB) carbon dioxideC) nitrogenD) oxygen
B) carbon dioxide
59) Catalytic converters on automobiles are designed to reduce the emission of - A) nitrogen oxides. B) carbon monoxide. C) carbon dioxide. D) sulfur oxides.
B) carbon monoxide.
92) The process for removing CO2 from the atmosphere or collecting it from large emission sources and storing it in underground reservoirs is known as - A) carbonation. B) carbon sequestration. C) climate change. D) greenhouse control.
B) carbon sequestration.
38) The reaction 2 CaO(s) + 2 SO2(g) + O2(g) ? 2 CaSO4(s) is the basis of - A) electrostatic precipitators. B) chemical SO2 scrubbers. C) particulate removal. D) The reaction is the basis of all of the above.
B) chemical SO2 scrubbers
86) All of the following gases come in part from natural sources EXCEPT - A) carbon dioxide. B) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). C) nitrogen oxides. D) sulfur dioxide.
B) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
24) A definition of a pollutant is a chemical - A) in the wrong place but at the right concentration.B) in the wrong place and at the wrong concentration.C) in the right place but at the wrong concentration.D) in the right place and at the right concentration.
B) in the wrong place and at the wrong concentration.
51) When gasoline undergoes complete combustion, carbon dioxide and water are produced. However, these reactions are generally incomplete combustions, and there are side reactions which produce small amounts of harmful products. These pollutants include all of the following EXCEPT - A) carbon monoxide. B) lead. C) nitrogen oxides. D) volatile organic compounds.
B) lead.
53) Carbon monoxide reacts with hemoglobin and interferes with its ability to transport oxygen. Which other gas also can react with hemoglobin when it is present in high concentrations? - A) nitrogen (N2) B) nitric oxide (NO) C) sulfur dioxide (SO2) D) sulfur trioxide (SO3)
B) nitric oxide (NO)
75) Which of the following gases is most efficient at trapping atmospheric heat? - A) carbon dioxide (CO2) B) nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) C) water (H2O) D) methane (CH4)
B) nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)
14) A major source of oxygen on Earth is - A) ozone. B) ocean based phytoplankton. C) animals. D) decomposition of water in the oceans.
B) ocean based phytoplankton.
47) Most hydrocarbons in the urban areas arise from - A) burning coal. B) processing and use of gasoline. C) industrial emissions. D) natural sources.
B) processing and use of gasoline.
33) Unburned carbon produced during the inefficient burning of coal is called - A) ash. B) soot. C) carbon dioxide. D) clinkers.
B) soot
1) The layer of the atmosphere in which the ozone layer is found is called the A) biosphere.B) stratosphere.C) troposphere.D) ionosphere.
B) stratosphere
43) Carbon monoxide pollution is best described as a(n) - A) rural problem. B) urban problem. C) global problem. D) Carbon monoxide pollution is none of the above.
B) urban problem.
16) In the stratosphere, oxygen (O2) is converted to ozone (O3) by high energy ultraviolet light. When the equation is written and balanced using whole number coefficients, the coefficient of ozone is - A) 4. B) 3. C) 2. D) 1.
C) 2
87) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are good substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) because - A) they are also greenhouse gases. B) C-F bonds will react more easily with hydroxyl radicals, so they are broken down before they reach the stratosphere. C) C-H bonds will react more easily with hydroxyl radicals, so they are broken down before they reach the stratosphere. D) they are too heavy to reach the stratosphere.
C) C-H bonds will react more easily with hydroxyl radicals, so they are broken down before they reach the stratosphere.
83) Even if all CFC production could be stopped today, the ozone depletion problem in the stratosphere would continue for many years because - A) some nations would not follow the ban. B) CFCs are produced naturally in the troposphere. C) CFCs are widespread and very stable in the troposphere. D) ozone is naturally depleted by sunlight.
C) CFCs are widespread and very stable in the troposphere.
58) A secondary reaction in the formation of photochemical smog is - A) 2 NO + O2 = 2 NO2. B) NO2 + sunlight = NO + O. C) O + O2 = O3. D) O3 + hydrocarbons = aldehydes.
C) O + O2 = O3.
17) Which of the following statements is true of oxygen and nitrogen at normal temperatures? - A) Both nitrogen and oxygen are highly reactive. B) Nitrogen is highly reactive, but oxygen is not. C) Oxygen is highly reactive, but nitrogen is not. D) Neither nitrogen nor oxygen is highly reactive.
C) Oxygen is highly reactive, but nitrogen is not.
9) With respect to reactivity at normal temperatures, nitrogen is best classified as - A) highly reactive.B) somewhat reactive.C) relatively unreactive.D) comparable to helium in its reactivity.
C) Relatively unreactive
20) Volcanoes release large amounts of the pollutant ________. - A) HCNB) NO2C) SO2D) NH3
C) SO2
65) Acid rain is precipitation with a pH - A) above 11.5. B) above 8.2. C) below 5.6. D) below 3.6.
C) below 5.6.
44) Hemoglobin is the blood protein responsible for the transport of oxygen. Carbon monoxide disturbs oxygen transport by - A) destroying hemoglobin. B) destroying oxygen in the lung. C) binding more strongly to hemoglobin than oxygen. D) destroying lung alveoli.
C) binding more strongly to hemoglobin than oxygen.
42) Usually the symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is - A) shortness of breath. B) uncontrollable shaking. C) drowsiness. D) yellowing of the eyes and skin.
C) drowsiness.
81) In the stratosphere, the reactivity of CFCs is - A) low. B) moderate. C) high. D) comparable to neon.
C) high.
98) The EPA lists six criteria pollutants. Which of the following is NOT listed by the EPA as a criteria pollutant? - A) nitrogen dioxide B) sulfur dioxide C) hydrocarbons D) lead
C) hydrocarbons
26) The main difference between air pollution problems today and problems in the past is - A) global warming.B) less polar ice.C) it is now a worldwide problem.D) less rainfall.
C) it is now a worldwide problem.
97) In the removal of pollution, the most expensive fraction of pollution to remove is the - A) first fraction. B) middle fractions. C) last fraction. D) The cost is constant across all fractions removed.
C) last fraction.
32) Which of the following is most commonly used to remove sulfur dioxide from smokestack gases? - A) bag filtration B) electrostatic precipitators C) limestone-dolomite process D) wet scrubbers
C) limestone-dolomite process
94) The major source of all air pollutants in the United States is - A) industrial emissions. B) residential emissions. C) motor vehicle emissions. D) natural sources.
C) motor vehicle emissions.
2) The most abundant component of dry air is - A) argon.B) carbon dioxide.C) nitrogen.D) oxygen.
C) nitrogen
78) Ozone is a very strong - A) acid. B) base. C) oxidizing agent. D) reducing agent.
C) oxidizing agent.
60) The metal catalyst in catalytic converters is often - A) zinc. B) silver. C) platinum. D) aluminum.
C) platinum.
54) Which one of the following is NOT one of the principal components required for photochemical smog? - A) nitrogen oxides B) hydrocarbons C) sulfur dioxide D) sunshine
C) sulfur dioxide
11) The industrial fixation of nitrogen to produce nitrogen fertilizers has drastically increased food supply primarily because - A) plants need nitrogen. B) plants fix nitrogen slowly. C) the availability of fixed nitrogen is often a limiting factor in plant growth. D) nitrogen in the atmosphere has decreased over the past two centuries.
C) the availability of fixed nitrogen is often a limiting factor in plant growth.
39) An electrostatic precipitator is a device used - A) in the laboratory study of pollution. B) to precipitate ions in water. C) to remove particles from smokestack gases. D) to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
C) to remove particles from smokestack gases.
66) "Pure" rainfall (rainfall undisturbed by human influences) has a pH of approximately 5.6. The pH of rain in some areas has been measured at 2.6. The acidity of this rain is - A) 0.3 times that of normal rain.B) 3 times that of normal rain.C) 300 times that of normal rain.D) 1000 times that of normal rain.
D) 1000 times that of normal rain.
64) Urban smog contains several air pollutants, including ozone. For a typical sunny day, when would you expect the concentration of ozone to be highest? - A) midnight B) 6 a.m. C) noon D) 6 p.m.
D) 6 p.m.
12) Which of the following is a form of nitrogen fixation? - A) N2 + O2 + energy (lightning) ? 2 NO B) N2 + 3 H2 ? 2 N C) N2 + bacteria ? nitrates D) All are forms of nitrogen fixation.
D) All are forms of nitrogen fixation.
84) Which of the following is true about O2 and O3? - A) They are elemental forms of oxygen. B) They are molecules of oxygen. C) They are called allotropes. D) All of the above are true.
D) All of the above are true.
31) Which of the following is used to remove particulate matter from smokestack gases? - A) bag filtration B) electrostatic precipitators C) wet scrubbers D) All of the above are used to remove particulate matter.
D) All of the above are used to remove particulate matter.
72) All of the following contribute to increasing indoor air pollution levels EXCEPT - A) gas kitchen stoves. B) mold. C) improving insulation and sealing air leaks around windows and doors. D) All of the above contribute to increasing indoor air pollution.
D) All of the above contribute to increasing indoor air pollution.
37) Removal of particulates from smokestack gases - A) decreases the plant's energy efficiency. B) creates a solid waste disposal problem. C) increases the costs of producing energy. D) All of the above result from removal of particulates.
D) All of the above result from removal of particulates.
73) Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of all of the following EXCEPT - A) asthma. B) ear and sinus infections. C) sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). D) All of the above risks are higher.
D) All of the above risks are higher.
90) Increasing the atmospheric concentration of which of the following gases would contribute to global warming? - A) carbon dioxide B) CFCs C) methane D) All of the above would contribute to global warming.
D) All of the above would contribute to global warming.
88) Which is classified as a "greenhouse gas"? - A) carbon dioxide B) chlorofluorocarbons C) methane D) All of these are "greenhouse gases".
D) All of these are "greenhouse gases".
23) Which of the following human activities contributed to the pollution of our ancestral air? - A) Discovering, making, and using tools contributed to air pollution.B) The discovery and use of fire contributed to air pollution.C) The development of crop farming contributed to air pollution.D) All of these contributed to air pollution.
D) All of these contributed to air pollution.
13) Nitrogen is converted to nitrates by which of the following reactions? - A) N2 + O2 + energy(lightning) = 2 NO B) 2 NO + O2 = 2 NO2 C) 3 NO2 + H2O = 2 HNO3 + NO D) All of these reactions are involved in converting nitrogen to nitrates.
D) All of these reactions are involved in converting nitrogen to nitrates.
19) All of the following statements about a closed ecosystem are correct EXCEPT: - A) Ecosystems require a constant source of sunlight to provide energy.B) Animal wastes provide the necessary nitrogen for the ecosystem.C) Plants produce O2 from the CO2 given off by animals.D) Biosphere II is a highly successful example of a problem-free closed ecosystem.
D) Biosphere II is a highly successful example of a problem-free closed ecosystem.
40) Which of the following statements about particulate particles is NOT correct? - A) They are easier to remove from factory exhaust than sulfur dioxide is. B) They can sometimes be seen in the air as dust or smoke. C) Particles that are less than 10 µm in diameter are more dangerous than larger particles are. D) Less than 10% of the counties in the United States have particle pollution levels that exceed the EPA's standards.
D) Less than 10% of the counties in the United States have particle pollution levels that exceed the EPA's standards.
21) Kilauea volcano in Hawaii emits 200-300 tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere each day. This is an example of - A) the impact of natural processes on the earth's environment.B) air pollution from a natural source.C) the magnitude of the chemistry associated with the environment.D) The Kilauea volcano is an example of all of the above.
D) The Kilauea volcano is an example of all of the above.
61) Running an engine with a richer (more fuel, less air) combustion mixture lowers nitrogen oxide emissions from automobiles. The problem is that - A) hydrocarbon emission increases. B) carbon monoxide emission increases. C) fuel efficiency decreases. D) all of the above occur.
D) all of the above occur.
62) Which of the following contributes least to the problem of photochemical smog? - A) nitrogen oxides emitted by cars B) hydrocarbons emitted by cars C) warm, sunny days D) cool, wet days
D) cool, wet days
10) In order for nitrogen to be used by most plants and all animals, it must be - A) separated.B) purified.C) liquefied.D) fixed.
D) fixed
48) Most hydrocarbons in the atmosphere in rural areas arise from - A) automobile exhaust. B) evaporation of gasoline. C) industrial emissions. D) natural sources.
D) natural sources.
45) At the high temperature in an internal combustion engine, a fraction of the nitrogen in air is converted to - A) carbon monoxide. B) carbon dioxide. C) ammonia. D) nitrogen oxides.
D) nitrogen oxides.
68) Which one of the following is NOT a property of radon? - A) unreactive B) tasteless C) odorless D) nonradioactive
D) nonradioactive
82) The impact of CFCs on the ozone layer is amplified by the fact that - A) CFCs replicate in the stratosphere. B) CFCs decompose before reaching the stratosphere. C) CFCs react with oxygen to produce many reactive intermediates. D) one CFC molecule will lead to the decomposition of many ozone molecules.
D) one CFC molecule will lead to the decomposition of many ozone molecules.
28) In December, 1952 in London, a four-day-long atmospheric inversion created the worst smog in history. The death toll ultimately attributed to the smog was estimated at - A) 10.B) 100.C) 2000.D) over 4000.
D) over 4000.
3) The second most abundant component of dry air is - A) argon.B) carbon dioxide.C) nitrogen.D) oxygen.
D) oxygen
71) Indoor "air cleaners" are often advertized. However, some air cleaners actually generate which of the following pollutants? - A) mold B) CFCs C) methane D) ozone
D) ozone
79) One of the results of ozone pollution in an urban environment is - A) destruction of glass windows. B) decomposition of granite buildings. C) cracking of sidewalks. D) shortening the life of automobile tires.
D) shortening the life of automobile tires.
67) The two principal sources of acid rain are ________ emissions from power plants and ________ emissions from automobiles and power plants. - A) sulfur dioxide, ozone B) ozone, carbon monoxide C) carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide D) sulfur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide
D) sulfur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide
95) The World Health Organization (WHO) rates which pollutant the worst? - A) carbon monoxide B) hydrocarbons C) nitrogen oxides D) sulfur oxides
D) sulfur oxides
35) Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to form - A) sulfur dioxide. B) sulfur monoxide. C) sulfurous acid. D) sulfuric acid.
D) sulfuric acid.
50) All of the following statements about carbon monoxide (CO) pollution in the United states are true EXCEPT - A) carbon monoxide makes up over 60% (by mass) of all air pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. B) the concentration of carbon monoxide is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. C) people exposed to carbon monoxide have a higher risk of heart attacks. D) the major source of carbon monoxide emissions is industrial sources, such as metal processing.
D) the major source of carbon monoxide emissions is industrial sources, such as metal processing.
7) The layer of the atmosphere that is closest to the surface of the earth is the - A) mesosphere.B) stratosphere.C) thermosphere.D) troposphere.
D) troposphere
41) Which one of the following is NOT a property of carbon monoxide? - A) odorless B) tasteless C) colorless D) undetectable
D) undetectable
52) Organic substances that undergo significant evaporation at ordinary temperatures are - A) lead-containing compounds.B) nitrogen oxides.C) sulfur oxides.D) volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
D) volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
93) Which of the following activities would NOT lower the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere? - A) building coal-fired power plants B) concentrating emitted CO2 in large underground reservoirs C) planting trees D) stopping deforestation
A) building coal-fired power plants
96) Which of the following pollutants has the least environmental effect? - A) carbon monoxide B) nitrogen oxides C) ozone D) sulfur oxides
A) carbon monoxide
46) The presence of nitrogen dioxide in smog is most easily recognized by - A) color. B) odor. C) taste. D) odor.
A) color.
70) Radon is released from soil and rock where it is produced because radon is a - A) gas. B) liquid. C) solid. D) plasma.
A) gas.
49) What percentage of hydrocarbons found in the atmosphere result from human activity? - A) 15% B) 40 % C) 95 % D) 75 %
A) 15%
91) Which of the following greenhouse gases is most efficient at trapping heat? - A) CFCs B) CH4 C) CO2 D) H2O
A) CFCs
27) The word smog is believed to have originated in - A) London.B) Los Angeles.C) Mexico City.D) Buenos Aires.
A) London
34) Sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen to form - A) SO3. B) S2O3. C) S3O5. D) H2SO4.
A) SO3
63) Which of the following statements about catalytic converters is NOT correct? - A) The reaction surface area is unrelated to the efficiency of the converter. B) They use a metal catalyst such as Pt or Pd. C) They catalyze the conversion of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides to less harmful compounds. D) The catalyst adheres either to a honeycomb support or to small ceramic beads.
A) The reaction surface area is unrelated to the efficiency of the converter.
77) Ozone (O3) and oxygen (O2) are - A) allotropes. B) isoelectronic. C) isomers. D) isotopes.
A) allotropes.
85) A term that describes the relationship between O2 and O3 is - A) allotropes. B) isomers. C) conformers. D) transformers.
A) allotropes.
55) The major source of photochemical smog is - A) automobile emissions. B) industrial emissions. C) fossil fuel power plant emissions. D) nuclear power plant emissions.
A) automobile emissions.
74) Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors have largely replaced cathode ray tube (CRT) display monitors for televisions and computers. Which of the following is a problem that results from use of LCD monitors? - A) The LCD monitors need to be shielded with lead, and lead is a toxic metal. B) Large amounts of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) are used in production of LCDs, and much of it is released to the atmosphere. NF3 is a greenhouse gas that is much more efficient at trapping atmospheric heat than other greenhouse gases, such as CO2. C) LCD monitors use less energy than CRT monitors do. D) Manufacturing of LCD monitors releases much more CO2 into the atmosphere than manufacturing of CRT monitors did.
B) Large amounts of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) are used in production of LCDs, and much of it is released to the atmosphere. NF3 is a greenhouse gas that is much more efficient at trapping atmospheric heat than other greenhouse gases, such as CO2.
56) The primary reaction in the formation of photochemical smog is - A) 2 NO + O2 = 2 NO2. B) NO2 + sunlight = NO + O. C) O + O2 = O3. D) O3 + hydrocarbons = aldehydes.
B) NO2 + sunlight = NO + O.
1) The layer of the atmosphere in which we interact is called the stratosphere.
False
2) The World Health Organization estimates that over 3.6 million people die from indoor or outdoor air pollution every year.
True