Question 1

Which layer of Earth's atmosphere contains the majority of living organisms and experiences a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude?

Accepted Answer

Troposphere

Question 2

What is the primary component of clean, dry air near sea level by volume?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen ($$N_2)$$

Question 3

Which process is responsible for industrially fixing nitrogen for use in fertilizers?

Accepted Answer

Haber–Bosch process

Question 4

Which chemical reaction represents the formation of sulfuric acid from sulfur trioxide in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

$$SO_3(g) + H_2O(l$$) \rightarrow H_2SO_4(l)$$

Question 5

A car burns 2670 g of octane ($$C_8H_{18}$$, molar mass = 114.0 g/mol). How many moles of $$CO_2$$ are produced, assuming complete combustion? (Use the reaction: $$2C_8H_{18} + 25O_2 \rightarrow 16CO_2 + 18H_2O)$$

Accepted Answer

37.5 mol

Question 6

Which of the following is a major health risk associated with carbon monoxide ($$CO) $$exposure?

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin binding, reducing oxygen transport

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the main difference between industrial smog and photochemical smog?

Accepted Answer

Industrial smog is associated with sulfur oxides and particulates, while photochemical smog is associated with nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

Question 8

Which device removes particulate matter from industrial emissions by inducing electrostatic charges?

Accepted Answer

Electrostatic precipitator

Question 9

Which chemical equation represents the complete combustion of octane ($$C_8H_{18}$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$2C_8H_{18}(l) + 25O_2(g) \rightarrow 16CO_2(g) + 18H_2O(g)$$

Question 10

Which of the following is a significant environmental effect of acid rain?

Accepted Answer

Damage to aquatic ecosystems and forests

Question 11

Which indoor air pollutant is a radioactive noble gas that can accumulate in homes and is a known carcinogen?

Accepted Answer

Radon

Question 12

Which of the following reactions shows the destruction of ozone by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?

Accepted Answer

$$Cl\cdot + O_3$ \rightarrow ClO\cdot + O_2$

Question 13

Which of the following best explains the greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases trap heat energy radiated from Earth, warming the atmosphere.

Question 14

Which of the following is a major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contributing to photochemical smog?

Accepted Answer

Evaporation of gasoline

Question 15

Which of the following is a direct consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?

Accepted Answer

Increased ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth's surface

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events in the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric $$N_2$$ → Bacterial fixation → Ammonia ($$NH_3$$) → Nitrates ($$NO_3$$^-$$)

Question 17

Which of the following is a practical method for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants?

Accepted Answer

Adding limestone ($$CaCO_3) to $$the coal

Question 18

Which of the following is a likely consequence of global warming?

Accepted Answer

Increased flooding and impacts on food production

Question 19

Which of the following is a secondary pollutant formed in photochemical smog?

Accepted Answer

Ozone ($$O_3)$$

Question 20

Which of the following best describes why most animals and plants cannot use atmospheric nitrogen ($$N_2) $$directly?

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric $$N_2$$ must be fixed into compounds with other elements to be biologically available.

Air Chemistry: Structure, Composition, Pollution, and Environmental Impact

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards