Chapter 18

20 questions

1. Which of the following statements regarding the earth's atmosphere is false?

There is higher atmospheric pressure at lower elevations.

There is higher air density at higher elevations.

The atmosphere is classified into layers characterized by changes in temperature.

The atmosphere provides a living environment for humans.

2. The layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of the earth is the

thermosphere.

stratosphere.

mesosphere.

troposphere.

3. Earth's atmosphere provides

our planet's weather and climate.

all of the choices.

a global shield from incoming solar radiation.

chemical cycling of vital nutrients.

4. The ozone layer is found in the

mesosphere.

thermosphere.

stratosphere.

troposphere.

5. Air pollution

is never lethal.

is only a recent problem.

only arises from humans.

has seen greater increases from the burning of fossil fuels.

6. Which of the following is not a direct source of pollution?

vehicles

sun

volcanoes

power plants

7. ________ are harmful chemicals emitted directly into the air from natural processes and human activities.

Primary pollutants

Nitrous oxides

Secondary pollutants

Aerosols

8. All of the following can contribute to smog except

urbanization.

sunlight.

burning coal.

cooler temperatures.

9. A temperature inversion exists when a layer of cool air lies above a layer of warm air.

False

True

10. Human activities that add excessive amounts of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere will most likely result in

loss of ozone.

more volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

acid deposition.

global warming.

11. Smokestacks at industrial plants can lead to

less regional air pollution.

less local air pollution.

a reduction in secondary pollutants.

a reduction in primary pollutants.

12. One challenge with combating acid deposition is that

those causing acid deposition are often not those impacted by it, thus reducing their feel for urgency.

it is a natural phenomenon.

we do not know what causes it.

the technology necessary to offset it is too expensive.

13. Levels of many pollutants are often ________ inside a car or building than they are outside.

higher

less dangerous

lower

the same

14. Examples of indoor air pollutants include all of the following except

particulates.

carbon monoxide.

acid deposition.

living organisms.

15. One lifestyle change to combat the effects of air pollution would be to

stay inside.

drive more often.

not smoke.

move to a city.

16. One of the first and still most important laws passed by the United States to address air pollution was the

Endangered Species Act.

Toxic Release Inventory.

Cap-and-trade Program.

Clean Air Act.

17. A way to address air pollution from stationary sources would be to

burn low sulfur coal.

tax polluters.

all of the choices.

shift to less polluting, renewable energy sources.

18. A way to address air pollution from mobile sources would be to

relax emission control device standards.

use older cars.

discourage mass transit.

walk or bike more often.

19. Which of the following would most likely reduce indoor air pollution?

increasing ventilation from outside

removing houseplants

increasing indoor air recirculation

closing windows

20. The future of improving air quality involves not just cleaning the air, but also

creating better air filters for vehicles and buildings.

moving contaminated air to unpopulated regions.

avoiding polluted air at certain times of the day.

reducing the production of pollutants in the first place.

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