Quiz 4

Acid rain precursors in the US reduce visibility by _____.

0.6 Explanation: Sulfate particles account for 50 to 70 percent of the visibility reduction in the eastern part of the United States, affecting our enjoyment of national parks, such as the Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Most acid rain in the north eastern states of United States has a pH of

4.2 Explanation: @ Northeast parts of United States has the most acidic rain with pH as low as 4.2

How many tons of carbon (as carbon dioxide) are released into the air each year?

7 billion tons

A water solution with a pH of 10 is _____.

A water solution with a pH of 10 is _____. Answer: Basic Explanation: The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is. It ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is basic

Which one of the following chemicals leads to the destruction of ozone?

CFCs Explanation: CFCs lead to the destruction of the ozone

From the following, pick the set of primary pollutants:

CO, SO2, NOx Explanation: The pollutants that are emitted directly from a combustion process are called "primary pollutants."

When carbon in a fossil burns, it combines with oxygen to form _____.

CO2 Explanation: The carbon in the fuel combines with the oxygen in the air used for burning and forms carbon dioxide.

Nitric oxide is a component of NOx

Explanation: Nitrogen into nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Together they are called NOx.

. The greenhouse effect is a man-made phenomenon.

False

Photochemical Smog is a primary pollutant caused by burning of fossil fuels.Smog is formed from Ozone, NOx, VOCs in presence of sunlight. Where VOCs, NOx are primary pollutants.Therefore, smog is a secondary pollutant

False

If the air did not contain carbon dioxide, the planet would be hotter.

False Explanation: If the air did not contain carbon dioxide, the planet would be colder air contains carbon dioxide-thus making the planet hotter

Currently natural gas usage accounts for the highest amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the US.

False Explanation: About 40 percent of U.S. fossil-fuel emissions come from the consumption of petroleum products and coal usage accounts for 37 percent of U.S. fossil-fuel CO2 emissions. About 21.1 percent of the CO2 emissions are as a result of natural gas use. Ref

Carbon dioxide is the only product when burning coal.

False Explanation: Coal is made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Carbon in the fuel combines with the oxygen in the air used for burning and forms carbon dioxide. In case there is not enough oxygen for complete oxidation, carbon monoxide (CO) may form. Similarly other elements also oxidize to form other oxides.

High clouds do not trap the infrared radiation that enters into the Earth's atmosphere.

False Explanation: High clouds trap the infrared radiation that enters into the Earth's atmosphere and thereby help in heating the Earth.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a component of NOx.

False Explanation: Nitrogen into nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Together they are called NOx.

Ground level ozone is produced directly by combustion.

False Explanation: Ozone is a secondary pollutant that forms from the primary pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (Hydrocarbons) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight

Once destroyed, stratospheric ozone cannot be re-formed.

False Explanation: Ozone is constantly produced and destroyed in a natural cycle. However, the overall amount of ozone is essentially stable. This balance can be thought of as a stream's depth at a particular location

Sun spots can decrease the radiation from the Sun.

False Explanation: Sun spots (intense flares on the surface) can increase the radiation from the sun.

From the ice core data, the concentration of CO2 during previous fluctuations (over the past 400,000 years) was higher than today's concentration.

False Explanation: The CO2 concentration did not rise above 310 ppm at any time in the past 400,000 years although the temperature did. Present time CO2 concentration is 370 ppm.

The atmospheric temperature and CO2 concentration did not change prior to the pre-industrial periods.

False Explanation: The ice core samples indicated that the atmospheric concentration of CO2 and temperatures fluctuated in the past significantly.

Acid rain can damage your skin.

False Explanation: Walking in acid rain or swimming in a lake while filled with acid rain will not affect your skin

As a result of global warming, global precipitation would _____.

Increase Explanation: As a result of global warming, global precipitation would increase

Which one of the following causes global climate change?

Increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activity Explanation: Increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activity cause climate change

Which one of the following is true about the ozone hole?

It has a variable area throughout the year. Explanation: Ozone hole has a variable area throughout the year

Which one of the following will reduce vehicular NOx emissions

Keeping the car well tuned Explanation: Keeping the car well tuned will reduce vehicular NOx emissions.

Nitric acid is formed when _____.

NO is oxidized in the atmosphere to form NO2 and then dissolved in clouds Explanation: Most of the NOx that is emitted is in the form of NO. This NO is oxidized in the atmosphere to NO2. NO2 is soluble in water and forms HNO2 (nitric acid)

Nitrogen in the fuel when burned can form _____.

NOx Explanation: Sulfur turns into sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen into nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Which gases contribute to ozone formation at the ground level?

Nitrogen Oxides Explanation: Ozone is a secondary pollutant that forms from the primary pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (Hydrocarbons) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight

Which area of the United States has the most acidic rain?

Northeast Explanation: Northeast parts of United States has the most acidic rain with pH as low as 4.2

Acid rain damages trees in which of the following manners?

Removes soil nutrients Explanation: Acid rain does not usually kill trees directly. Instead, it is more likely to weaken trees by damaging their leaves, limiting the nutrients available to them, or exposing them to toxic substances slowly released from the soil

Which of the following is not needed to produce ground level ozone?

SO2 Explanation: Ground level ozone is formed when VOCs and NOx react in presence of sunlight

Sulfuric acid is formed when _____.

SO2 is oxidized in the atmosphere to form SO3 and then dissolved in clouds Explanation: SO2 when emitted into the atmosphere slowly oxidizes to SO3. SO3 is readily soluble in water in the clouds and forms H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)

CFCs are created only by humans

True Explanation: CFC is a man-made chemical

Minerals in fossil fuels turn into ash when oxidized (burnt).

True Explanation: The inorganic minerals turn into ash particles when oxidized

Earth's axis of rotation can cause some natural fluctuations in the energy received from the sun.

True Explanation: Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees and this tilt goes from one side to the other and back over in 40,000-year cycles. Earth's axis of rotation takes about 21,000 years to complete a cycle. This can change the energy input.

Greenhouse gases in the air around us are increasing.

True Explanation: Greenhouse gases like CO2 in the air around is increasing due to increased use of fossil fuels

Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be uninhabitable.

True Explanation: If there were no greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the radiation received during the day time would be escaping in the night and the Earth would be at an average temperature (including summer, winter, night and day, and all latitudes) of 0 degrees F.

Formation of ozone at the ground level involves VOCs and NOx in the presence of sunlight.

True Explanation: In presence of sunlight VOCs and NO react to form ground level ozone

Low level clouds shield the Earth's surface from the Sun's radiation. This reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the Earth thereby cooling the Earth.

True Explanation: Low level clouds shield the Earth's surface from the Sun's radiation. This reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the Earth thereby cooling the Earth

Approximately 90% NOx of the emissions from combustion devices are in the form of NO.

True Explanation: Most of the NOx emissions from combustion devices (approximately 90%) are in the form of NO

Oceans are vital in the energy balance of the earth.

True Explanation: Oceans play a vital role in the energy balance of the Earth. It is known that the top 10 feet of the oceans can hold as much of the heat as the entire atmosphere above the surface. However, most of the incoming energy is incident on the equatorial region

Short-term exposures to low levels of NO2 may lead to changes in airway responsiveness and lung function in individuals with preexisting respiratory illnesses.

True Explanation: Short-term exposures (e.g., less than 3 hours) to low levels of NO2 may lead to changes in airway responsiveness and lung function in individuals with preexisting respiratory illnesses (and sulfur dioxide)

Some of the fuel that does not burn is emitted as unburnt hydrocarbon compounds.

True Explanation: Some of the fuel (hydrocarbon) may not completely burn and therefore is released into the atmosphere along with the products.

Earth is a natural greenhouse

True Explanation: The atmospheric gases in addition to oxygen and nitrogen contain gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane (CH4), and laughing gas (N2O). These gasses are called greenhouse gases and these gases have the ability to absorb the infrared radiation

The atmospheric temperature and CO2 concentration changed prior to the pre-industrial periods.

True Explanation: The ice core samples indicated that the atmospheric concentration of CO2 and temperatures fluctuated in the past significantly.

NOx are primary pollutants.

True Explanation: The pollutants that are emitted directly from a combustion process are called "primary pollutants."

Stratospheric ozone layer is good for us because it prevents harmful ________ radiation from reaching the earth

UV Explanation: Stratospheric ozone layer is good for us because it prevents harmful UV radiation from reaching the earth

Sulfates and nitrates that form in the atmosphere from sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions contribute to _____.

Visibility Reduction Explanation: Sulfates and nitrates that form in the atmosphere from sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions contribute to visibility reduction

Hydrogen when burned forms _____.

Water Explanation: Hydrogen when burned forms water.

Particulate matter (PM) is the general term used to describe _____.

a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air Explanation: Particulate matter (PM) is the general term used to describe a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air

The difference in average temperature between today and the last Ice Age (10,000 to 12,000 thousand years ago) is _____.

about 9 degrees F Explanation: The difference in average temperature between today and the last Ice Age (10,000 to 12,000 thousand years ago) is about 9 degrees F

Ozone is good for the environment at _____.

high altitude (about 10 km) Explanation: Stratospheric ozone is good for the environment. It blocks UV rays from entering earths atmosphere.

Atmospheric concentrations of methane in the last 150 years have _____.

increased Explanation: Atmospheric concentrations of methane have increased in the last 150 years

Which one of the following is true about global temperatures in the last century?

increased about 1 degrees F Explanation: During the last century, global temperatures increased about 1 degrees F

The largest ozone hole _____.

is over Antarctica Explanation: Recent studies by NASA and other have indicated that about 40 percent of the ozone in the Antarctica has been destroyed and about 7 percent of ozone is destroyed from the Arctic Circle.

PM2.5 describes the "fine" particles that are _____ 2.5 µm (micro meter) in diameter.

smaller than or equal to Explanation: PM2.5 describes the "fine" particles that are smaller than or equal to 2.5 µm (micro meter) in diameter.

Where is the bulk of Earth's ozone located?

stratosphere Explanation: Bulk of earth's ozone is located in stratosphere

Results of recent climate models suggest that projected greenhouse gas emission patterns may lead to a global warming of 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius during _____.

the next century Explanation: Results of recent climate models suggest that projected greenhouse gas emission patterns may lead to a global warming of 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius during the next century

Global warming occurs when _____.

the total energy arriving at the earth is more than the energy leaving. Explanation: Global warming occurs when the total energy arriving at the earth is more than the energy leaving

Excessive greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to anthropogenic emissions retains more heat than normal.

true

You are at most risk of lung damage due to smog if you are _____.

young child