AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Introduction To Air Pollution

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Introduction To Air Pollution, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is a secondary pollutant?

Answer: Pollutant formed by reaction of primary pollutants. Forms when primary pollutants undergo chemical reactions in atmosphere.

Flashcard 2: Identify a consequence of ozone layer depletion.

Answer: Increased UV radiation reaching Earth's surface. Stratospheric ozone depletion allows harmful UV rays through.

Flashcard 3: What is the main anthropogenic source of CO₂ emissions?

Answer: Burning of fossil fuels for energy. Human activities release stored carbon into atmosphere.

Flashcard 4: Identify a primary indoor air pollutant.

Answer: Formaldehyde from building materials. Volatile organic compound released from construction materials.

Flashcard 5: What is the significance of the Montreal Protocol?

Answer: International treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances. Global agreement that successfully reduced ozone depletion.

Flashcard 6: Identify a method to reduce vehicle emissions.

Answer: Use of catalytic converters. Chemical devices that convert harmful gases to less toxic compounds.

Flashcard 7: What is the purpose of air scrubbers in industrial settings?

Answer: Remove pollutants from exhaust streams. Chemical or physical systems that capture harmful emissions.

Flashcard 8: What are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) commonly used in?

Answer: Refrigerants and aerosol propellants. Synthetic compounds that deplete stratospheric ozone layer.

Flashcard 9: Which pollutant has a major role in forming ground-level ozone?

Answer: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reacts with $NO_x$ in sunlight to form ground-level ozone.

Flashcard 10: Which agency monitors air quality in the United States?

Answer: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal agency responsible for air quality standards and enforcement.

Flashcard 11: What is the main component of smog?

Answer: Ground-level ozone (O₃). Forms when sunlight reacts with $NO_x$ and VOCs.

Flashcard 12: What does AQI stand for?

Answer: Air Quality Index. Scale from 0-500 indicating air pollution health risk levels.

Flashcard 13: What is the main source of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)?

Answer: Combustion engines and industrial processes. High-temperature combustion produces nitrogen oxides.

Flashcard 14: Identify a primary pollutant from vehicle emissions.

Answer: Carbon monoxide (CO). Released directly from vehicle exhaust without chemical transformation.

Flashcard 15: What is the primary environmental impact of methane as a pollutant?

Answer: Significant greenhouse effect contributing to climate change. Methane has 25x greater warming potential than $CO_2$.

Flashcard 16: What is the effect of air pollution on visibility?

Answer: Decreases visibility through haze formation. Particles scatter light, reducing visual clarity.

Flashcard 17: What is a temperature inversion in the context of air pollution?

Answer: A layer of warm air traps pollutants near the ground. Prevents vertical air mixing, concentrating pollutants at surface.

Flashcard 18: Identify a strategy to mitigate air pollution from power plants.

Answer: Installation of scrubbers and filters. End-of-pipe technologies that remove pollutants before emission.

Flashcard 19: Identify a health risk of exposure to ground-level ozone.

Answer: Aggravates asthma and reduces lung function. Ground-level ozone irritates respiratory system.

Flashcard 20: What is the main source of sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?

Answer: Burning of fossil fuels by power plants. Coal and oil combustion releases sulfur compounds as $SO_2$.

Flashcard 21: What is a common source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?

Answer: Paints and solvents. Organic chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature.

Flashcard 22: What are the health risks of exposure to high levels of lead in the air?

Answer: Neurological and developmental damage. Lead affects brain and nervous system development.

Flashcard 23: What is PM2.5?

Answer: Particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers. Fine particles penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream.

Flashcard 24: Which type of pollution can cause eutrophication in water bodies?

Answer: Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) from air pollution. Nitrogen compounds act as fertilizers, causing algal overgrowth.

Flashcard 25: What is the effect of acid rain on aquatic ecosystems?

Answer: Lowers pH, harming aquatic life. Acidification disrupts aquatic food chains and ecosystems.

Flashcard 26: What is the role of sunlight in the formation of photochemical smog?

Answer: Sunlight triggers reactions forming smog. UV radiation catalyzes reactions between $NO_x$ and VOCs.

Flashcard 27: Which gas is a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Traps heat in atmosphere through greenhouse effect.

Flashcard 28: Name a health effect of air pollution.

Answer: Respiratory diseases such as asthma. Particulates and gases irritate airways and lungs.

Flashcard 29: Which pollutant is colorless and odorless, making it dangerous indoors?

Answer: Carbon monoxide (CO). Binds to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport in blood.

Flashcard 30: Which pollutant is typically removed by baghouse filters?

Answer: Particulate matter (PM). Fabric filters physically trap solid particles from gas streams.