EGEE 102- Ozone, Pollutants, and Fossil Fuels

VOCs (unburnt hydrocarbons) are secondary pollutants. A) True B) False

A: False VOCs are primary pollutants.

Ozone is good for the environment at ___. A) high altitude (about 10 km) B) any altitude C) low altitude (about 10 m)

A: High altitude (about 10 km)

Which one of the following is true about global temperatures in the last century? A) increased about 1 degree F B) increased about 12 degrees F C) increased about 6 degrees F D) decreased about 1 degree F

A: Increased about 1 degree F

Nitrogen in the fuel when burned can form ____. A) NOx B) CO2 C) SO2 D) H2O

A: NOx

Greenhouse gas emission patters may lead to a global warming of 1.5 to 4.5 degrees C during ___. A) the next century B) the next five years C) the next millennium

A: The next century

Approximately 90% of NOx emissions from combustion devices are in the form NO. A) True B) False

A: True

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are steadily increasing. A) True B) False

A: True

Greenhouse gases trap the infrared radiation in the atmosphere which is radiated back from the Earth. A) True B) False

A: True

Low level clouds cool the Earth by shielding Earth's surface from the Sun's radiation. A) True B) False

A: True

Oceans are vital in the energy balance of the earth. A) True B) False

A: True

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

A: True

The use of petroleum products accounts for the highest amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the US. A) True B) False

A: True US fossil-fuel emissions: 39.7% petroleum 37% Coal 21.1% Natural Gas

Which one of these countries has the highest carbon dioxide emissions? A) US B) Canada C) India D) Australia

A: US

The difference in average temperature between today and the last ice age is ____. A) about 2 degrees F B) about 9 degrees F C) about 15 degrees F D) about 10 degrees F

B: About 9 degrees F

A water solution with a pH of 10 is ___. A) acidic B) basic C) neutral

B: Basic The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic, and more than 7 is basic.

High clouds do not trap the infrared radiation that enters into the Earth's atmosphere. A) True B) False

B: False

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a component of NOx. A) True B) False

B: False

Aerosols (formed from sulfate particles) can cause the planet to warm up. A) True B) False

B: False Aerosols from burning coal contribute tiny particles that contribute to cooling.

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons of primarily oxygen and hydrogen and some sulfur, nitrogen, carbon, and mineral matter. A) True B) False

B: False Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons of primarily carbon and hydrogen and some sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and mineral matter.

Ground level ozone is produced by combustion. A) True B) False

B: False Ozone is a secondary pollutant formed by VOC, NOx, and sunlight.

Smog is a secondary pollutant caused by the burning of fossil fuels. A) True B) False

B: False Smog is caused by reaction of ozone, VOC, NOx, and sunlight.

Nitric acid is formed when ______. A) SO2 is oxidized in the atmosphere to form SO3 and then dissolved in clouds B) NO is oxidized in the atmosphere to form NO2 and then dissolved in clouds C) NOx is oxidized in the atmosphere to form NO and then dissolved in clouds D) SO is oxidized in the atmosphere to form SO2 and then dissolved in clouds

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

Which of these is not responsible for increasing atmospheric CO2? A) Respiration B) Photosynthesis C) Decomposition of biomass D) Deforestation

B: Photosynthesis

PM2.5 describes the "fine" particles that are ___ 2.5 micro meters in diameter. A) larger than or equal to B) smaller than or equal to C) exactly equal to

B: Smaller than or equal to

Global warming occurs when ____. A) the heat budget is balanced B) the total energy arriving at the earth is more than the energy leaving C) infrared light energy is given off by the earth D) the total energy leaving the earth is greater than the energy arriving

B: The total energy arriving at the earth is more than the energy leaving

Stratospheric ozone layer is good for us because it prevents harmful _____ radiation from reaching the earth. A) IR B) UV C) Visible

B: UV

The Greenhouse Effect occurs because carbon dioxide absorbs ____. A) microwaves B) infrared radiation C) visible light D) ultraviolet radiation

B: infrared radiation

The largest ozone hole ____. A) is over the arctic circle B) is over Antarctica C) is over South America D) moves around the world

B: is over Antarctica 40% of the ozone over Antarctica has been destroyed and about 7% is destroyed from the arctic circle.

Which one of the following are all greenhouse gases? A) CO2, CH4, SO2, CFCs B) CO2, CH4, H2O, PM C) CH4, HCFCs, H2O, CO2 D) N2O, CFCs, CO2, HCs

C: CH4, HCFCs, H2O, CO2 List of main greenhouse gases: -water vapor (H2O) -carbon dioxide (CO2) -methane (CH4) -nitrous oxide (N2O) -tropospheric ozone (O3) -CFC -HCFC

Carbon dioxide emissions may be reduced by which one of the following strategies? A) Increasing fossil fuel consumption B) Increasing coal utilization over natural gas C) Improving power plant efficiency D) Purchasing SUVs

C: Improving power plant efficiency

Volatile organic compounds are emitted primarily from which source? A) Power plants B) Motor vehicles C) Industrial and commercial processes

C: Industrial and commercial processes

Which one of the following will reduce vehicular NOx emissions? A) Washing the car B) Rolling down the windows instead of using the AC C) Keeping the car well tuned D) Pumping gas at night

C: Keeping the car well tuned

How many tons of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases are released globally into the air each year? A) One thousand tons B) One million tons C) Twenty seven billion tons D) Twenty seven trillion tons

C: Twenty seven billion tons

The ozone hole has ___. A) no ozone between space and the earth's surface B) higher concentration of CFCs in the stratosphere C) lower than 220 Dobson units of ozone concentration D) higher than 220 Dobson units of ozone concentration

C: lower than 220 Dobson units of ozone concentration

Most acid rain in the north easter states of the US has a pH of ___. A) 8.2 B) 7.1 C) 3.4 D) 4.2

D: 4.2

Methane and nitrous oxide have what impact on the atmosphere? A) None at all B) Allow heat to escape C) Destroy other greenhouse gases D) Trap heat

D: Trap heat