Atmospheric Pollutants and Chemicals

Vocabulary flashcards covering the types, sources, and formulas of atmospheric pollutants and gases based on the lecture notes.

Ozone ($O_3$)

A secondary pollutant and smog gas that forms when $NO_x$, VOCs, and sunlight react.

Methane ($CH_4$)

A greenhouse gas sourced from livestock digestion, landfills, rice paddies, natural gas leaks, and decomposition.

Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$)

A greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels, vehicles, factories, respiration, and deforestation.

Carbon Monoxide ($CO$)

A toxic primary pollutant resulting from incomplete combustion in car exhaust, generators, fires, and furnaces.

Nitrogen Oxides ($NO_x$)

Primary pollutants and smog contributors from vehicle exhaust, engines, power plants, and high-temperature fossil fuel burning.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

Ozone-depleting chemicals used in aerosol sprays, refrigerants, air conditioners, and refrigerators.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Chemical vapors and smog contributors from gasoline fumes, paints, solvents, cleaning products, and industrial chemicals.

Oxygen ($O_2$)

An atmospheric gas produced by plants through the process of photosynthesis.

Sulfuric Acid ($H_2SO_4$)

An acid rain chemical that forms from $SO_x$ and water, originally stemming from coal burning and power plants.

Nitric Acid ($HNO_3$)

An acid rain chemical that forms from $NO_x$ and water, originally originating from vehicle exhaust and engines.