All Flashcards
What is the main cause of industrial smog?
Burning coal and industrial emissions, especially sulfur dioxide.
What is the main cause of photochemical smog?
Sunlight reacting with pollutants like nitrogen oxides and VOCs.
Where is industrial smog most common?
Areas with heavy industrial activity like power plants and factories.
Where is photochemical smog most common?
Urban areas with lots of traffic and industrial activity.
How do VOCs contribute to photochemical smog?
VOCs react with NO, forming photochemical oxidants that disrupt ozone breakdown.
Why is tropospheric ozone considered a pollutant?
It irritates the respiratory system and is a key component of smog.
Explain the difference between tropospheric and stratospheric ozone.
Tropospheric ozone is a pollutant in smog, while stratospheric ozone protects us from UV radiation.
Describe the role of sunlight in smog formation.
Sunlight provides the energy for reactions that create photochemical smog.
What are the main components of photochemical smog?
Nitrogen oxides (), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and tropospheric ozone ().
What are the main components of industrial smog?
Sulfur dioxide (), particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides ().
What is the first step in photochemical smog formation?
Nitrogen dioxide () from various sources is released into the atmosphere.
What happens to in sunlight?
Sunlight breaks into NO + O.
How is tropospheric ozone formed in smog?
O + (with sunlight) → .
What happens at night in photochemical smog formation?
+ NO → + .
What role do VOCs play in photochemical smog formation?
VOCs react with NO, forming photochemical oxidants that disrupt the breakdown of ozone.
What pollutants are released in industrial smog formation?
, particulate matter, and are released from burning fossil fuels and industrial processes.
What do the pollutants from industrial smog react to form?
Sulfuric acid, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide.
Describe the formation of photochemical oxidants.
VOCs react with NO to form photochemical oxidants.
How does ozone contribute to photochemical smog?
Ozone combines with photochemical oxidants to form photochemical smog.
Summarize the process of industrial smog formation.
Pollutants from burning fossil fuels react to form sulfuric acid, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide, creating a thick haze.
What are the steps of photochemical smog formation?
- breaks down into NO + O (sunlight). 2. O + → (sunlight). 3. VOCs react with NO, forming photochemical oxidants. 4. + oxidants = smog.
Describe the nighttime reaction in photochemical smog formation.
+ NO → +
What are the steps of industrial smog formation?
- , particulate matter, and are released. 2. Pollutants react to form sulfuric acid, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide. 3. This mix creates the thick haze.
Explain how nitrogen dioxide contributes to ozone formation.
Sunlight breaks into NO and O; the free oxygen (O) combines with atmospheric oxygen () to form ozone ().
How do VOCs disrupt the breakdown of ozone?
VOCs react with NO, forming photochemical oxidants that prevent NO from reacting with ozone.
What happens to ozone at night in areas with high NO concentrations?
Ozone reacts with NO to form and , reducing ozone levels.