All Flashcards
What are the effects of burning fossil fuels?
Releases CO, NOx, SO2, hydrocarbons, and particulates.
What is the effect of air pollutants on air quality?
Cause smog, ozone warnings, and acid rain.
What are the environmental consequences of acid rain?
Damages ecosystems.
How is sulfuric acid formed?
SO3 reacts with water to form sulfuric acid.
How is nitric acid formed?
NO2 reacts with water to form nitric acid.
Define primary pollutants.
Pollutants emitted directly from a source.
Define secondary pollutants.
Pollutants formed when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.
What are NOx?
Nitrogen oxides (like NO and NO2).
What are SOx?
Sulfur oxides (like SO2 and SO3).
What are COx?
Carbon oxides (like CO and CO2).
What is the Clean Air Act?
US federal law regulating air emissions.
Define hydrocarbons.
Organic compounds made of hydrogen and carbon.
Define particulates.
Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.
Define VOCs.
Volatile Organic Compounds that evaporate easily.
Define PM2.5.
Particulate Matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less.