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Chapter 15 - Air Pollution - Climate Change - and Ozone Depletion
True / False
1. Nitrogen oxides can combine with water in the atmosphere and form nitric acid, one of the components of harmful acid
deposition.
a.
True
b.
False
2. The current climate problem is urgent because you face a rapid projected increase in the average temperature of the
lower atmosphere during your lifetime.
a.
True
b.
False
3. A worst-case scenario predicted by some climate models is some forests being consumed in vast wildfires.
a.
True
b.
False
4. At one time, Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana had 150 glaciers, but only 25 remained in 2013.
a.
True
b.
False
5. In 2012, China's per capita carbon dioxide emissions rate were greater than that of the U.S.
a.
True
b.
False
6. A good way to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution is to have your home tested for radon and formaldehyde.
a.
True
b.
False
7. Removing your shoes before entering your house does not help reduce indoor air pollution.
a.
True
b.
False
8. The EPA estimates that running a typical gas-powered riding lawn mower for an hour creates as much air pollution as
driving 34 cars for an hour.
a.
True
b.
False
9. The power of prevention was made clear by the 99% drop in atmospheric lead emissions after lead in gasoline was
banned in 1976.
a.
True
b.
False
10. Some research suggests that outdoor air pollution, mostly in the form of fine-particle pollution, contributes to the
deaths of approximately 200,000 Americans every year.
a.
True
b.
False
11. Some U.S. power plants have switched to low-sulfur coal, but this move has actually increased carbon emissions
because more coal must be burned to generate a given amount of electricity.
a.
True
b.
False
12. High temperatures can promote chemical reactions that lead to the formation of photochemical smog.
a.
True
b.
False
13. The grasshopper effect is where winds sweep pollutants away and dilute them by mixing them with cleaner air.
a.
True
b.
False
14. Smokestacks can increase regional pollution.
a.
True
b.
False
15. Soot generated in Europe is darkening arctic ice and lessening its ability to reflect sunlight, thereby hastening the
disappearance of ice in the Arctic.
a.
True
b.
False
16. Global warming will cause flooding and increased precipitation in some areas, and yet severe droughts in other areas.
a.
True
b.
False
17. While climate change is a serious threat to natural ecosystems, it is not a threat to human health.
a.
True
b.
False
18. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves restoring degraded wetlands so that they will absorb massive amounts of
carbon from the atmosphere.
a.
True
b.
False
19. Nine of the ten warmest years on record since 1861 have taken place prior to 1950.
a.
True
b.
False
20. About 97% of the world’s climate scientists agree that climate change is happening now and is caused mostly by
human activities.
a.
True
b.
False
21. During the 20th century, the world’s average sea level has risen by 7.6 inches.
a.
True
b.
False
22. The rate of cooling between 1998 and 2013 is most likely due to the advances in clean energy production and
conservation efforts mandated by the Kyoto Protocol.
a.
True
b.
False
23. Economic downturns such as the one between 2008 and 2012 have led to increases in CO2 emissions.
a.
True
b.
False
24. Which conclusion has been made by the world’s major scientific bodies about climate change?
a.
The recent harsh winters have placed some doubt on projected atmospheric warming.
b.
We do not know enough about how climate works to make any definite conclusions.
c.
Climate change is projected to slow down during the latter half of this century.
d.
Climate change is real and is happening now.
e.
The current climate change is caused primarily by natural processes.
25. The correct sequence of layers of the atmosphere from innermost to outermost is the ____.
a.
mesosphere, stratosphere, thermosphere, and troposphere
b.
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere
c.
stratosphere, thermosphere, troposphere, and mesosphere
d.
thermosphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and troposphere
e.
thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere
26. What is the gas that makes up most of the air that we breathe?
a.
carbon dioxide
b.
ozone
c.
nitrogen
d.
oxygen
e.
argon
27. How is ozone produced in the stratosphere?
a.
Ozone is produced when oxygen molecules interact with ultraviolet radiation.
b.
Ozone is produced from oxygen generated by photosynthesis.
c.
Ozone is a greenhouse gas that is formed from combustion of fossil fuels.
d.
Ozone forms as a result of mixing between the troposphere and stratosphere.
e.
When ultraviolet radiation interacts with CO2, ozone (2O3) is formed.
28. Where is most of the ozone layer located?
a.
the troposphere
b.
the stratosphere
c.
the ionosphere
d.
the mesosphere
e.
the thermosphere
29. Which of the following is categorized as a secondary pollutant?
a.
carbon monoxide
b.
ozone
c.
carbon dioxide
d.
sulfur dioxide
e.
hydrocarbons
30. The primary way in which the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be increased is by ____.
a.
burning fossil fuels
b.
fertilizing croplands
c.
planting more forests and grasslands
d.
increasing solar radiation
e.
increasing use of chlorofluorocarbons
31. Which form of air pollution is most directly linked to increased incidence of asthma and bronchitis?
a.
ozone
b.
VOCs
c.
radon
d.
suspended particulate matter
e.
sulfur dioxide
32. Which of the following are primary pollutants that eventually result in acid deposition?
a.
volatile organic compounds
b.
methane
c.
particulates
d.
carbon monoxide
e.
Sulfur dioxide
33. What is a healthcare issue that can be caused by ozone?
a.
skin cancer
b.
reduced resistance to colds/pneumonia
c.
nervous system disorders
d.
mutations
e.
stomach cancer
34. What is a volatile organic compound?
a.
organic matter that is unstable at warmer temperatures
b.
acidic gases generated by combustion of fossil fuels
c.
gases that exist in the atmosphere or evaporate from sources on earth
d.
colorless and highly reactive gases
e.
any solid particle or liquid compound that mostly come from natural sources.
35. Which air pollutant is a colorless gas with an irritating odor, and mostly comes from human sources such as smelting?
a.
nitric acid
b.
ozone
c.
nitrogen oxide
d.
sulfur dioxide
e.
carbon monoxide
36. What do we call an unhealthy mix of sulfur dioxide, suspended droplets of sulfuric acid, and a variety of suspended
particles in outside air?
a.
photochemical smog
b.
industrial smog
c.
suspended particulate matter
d.
aerosols
e.
greenhouse gasses
37. The formation of photochemical smog forms as a reaction between VOCs, NOx, heat, and ____.
a.
ground level ozone
b.
automobile exhaust
c.
sulfur dioxide
d.
carbon dioxide
e.
sunlight
38. Photochemical smog is composed of secondary pollutants such as oxidants, aldehydes, and ____.
a.
ozone
b.
carbon dioxide
c.
sulfur dioxide
d.
NOx
e.
VOCs
39. Photochemical smog is characteristic of urban areas with many vehicles and a climate that is ____.
a.
cool, wet, and cloudy
b.
cool, dry, and sunny
c.
warm, dry, and sunny
d.
warm, wet, and cloudy
e.
warm, wet, and sunny
40. The movement of air pollutants via evaporation and winds from tropical and temperate areas to polar regions is
referred to as ____.
a.
temperature inversion
b.
the grasshopper effect
Chapter 15 - Air Pollution - Climate Change - and Ozone Depletion
c.
acid deposition
d.
the rainshadow effect
e.
the photochemical effect
41. What natural factor removes suspended particulate matter from the troposphere?
a.
temperature inversions
b.
the grasshopper effect
c.
reduced precipitation
d.
hills and mountains
e.
gravity
42. Why do cities in warm and dry climates tend to have more air pollution?
a.
There are more automobiles in these areas.
b.
These locations are usually surrounded by mountains that trap the air pollution.
c.
There are more plants and trees that promote the formation of VOCs.
d.
There are more chemical reactions that can happen in dry climates.
e.
There are no natural pollution reduction factors such as precipitation and salty sea spray.
43. Why do coal-burning power plants and oil refineries have tall smokestacks?
a.
to utilize the scrubbers in the smokestacks that remove pollutants
b.
to make use of the natural vertical movements of air
c.
to vent exhausts high into the atmosphere for dilution and dispersal
d.
to exploit the grasshopper effect
e.
to avoid photochemical reactions with ozone near the ground
44. What has released toxic ions of cadmium and aluminum into the soils, causing trees to weaken?
a.
air pollution
b.
photochemical smog
Chapter 15 - Air Pollution - Climate Change - and Ozone Depletion
c.
volatile organic compounds
d.
nitric acid
e.
acid deposition
45. What is likely the most effective way to reduce acid deposition?
a.
Offer tax breaks to companies that emit SO2.
b.
Add phosphate fertilizer to acidified lakes.
c.
Add more topsoil to thin soil with little buffering capacity.
d.
Add lime to neutralize the acids.
e.
Implement prevention approaches that reduce or eliminate emissions.
46. What is the most serious air pollution problem according to World Health Organization?
a.
indoor air pollution
b.
industrial smog
c.
photochemical smog
d.
acid deposition
e.
volatile organic compounds
47. Where are pollution levels up to 18 times higher inside than they are outside in traffic-clogged urban settings?
a.
office buildings
b.
construction sites
c.
fuel stations
d.
homes located near freeways
e.
inside automobiles
48. Which population is least vulnerable to air pollution?
a.
infants
Chapter 15 - Air Pollution - Climate Change - and Ozone Depletion
b.
elderly people
c.
adult males
d.
people with heart and respiratory disease
e.
pregnant women
49. What is the potential risk associated with furniture stuffing, paneling, particleboard, and foam insulation?
a.
These all contain methylene chloride.
b.
These use asbestos is used in the manufacturing process.
c.
These materials emit high levels of particulates.
d.
These are plastic-based materials that contain lethal levels of styrene.
e.
These materials contain formaldehyde.
50. Pipe insulation and vinyl ceiling and floor tiles may be sources of ____.
a.
chloroform
b.
formaldehyde
c.
carbon monoxide
d.
asbestos
e.
sulfur dioxide
51. An emissions trading policy on the emissions of ____ cut U.S. emissions by 76%.
a.
carbon oxides
b.
sulfur dioxide
c.
asbestos
d.
lead
e.
carbon dioxide
52. The ultimate success of an emission trading approach depends on ____.
a.
how well the stock market is doing
Chapter 15 - Air Pollution - Climate Change - and Ozone Depletion
b.
the supply and demand of clean energy
c.
how the initial cap is set and how often it is lowered
d.
what kinds of government regulations are in place
e.
the availability of subsidies and tax breaks
53. Which statement about emissions trading is false?
a.
The success of emissions trading programs depends on how low the initial cap is set.
b.
Sulfur dioxide emissions were reduced by the emissions trading system in the United States.
c.
Cheating is possible without strict government oversight.
d.
The success of emissions trading programs depends on how often the cap is lowered to promote continuing
innovation in air pollution prevention and control.
e.
It forces all utilities to reduce the amount of pollution they emit.
54. The ____ for any given place on the planet often fluctuates widely from day to day and from year to year.
a.
weather
b.
climate
c.
pollution level
d.
global warming
e.
concentration of VOCs
55. When the global average atmospheric temperature changes over a period of at least three ____, the earth’s climate can
be said to have changed.
a.
decades
b.
years
c.
days
d.
months
e.
centuries
