APES Unit 7 Atmospheric Pollution

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from AP Environmental Science Unit 7 on atmospheric pollution.

Air Pollution

The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere.

Primary Pollutant

A pollutant emitted directly from a source.

Secondary Pollutant

A pollutant formed in the atmosphere from reactions of primary pollutants.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air.

Sulfur Dioxide ($SO_2$)

Pollutant mainly from burning coal; contributes to acid rain.

Nitrogen Oxides ($NO_x$)

Pollutants from combustion that contribute to smog and acid rain.

Carbon Monoxide ($CO$)

Colorless gas produced by incomplete combustion.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemicals that react with $NO_x$ to form photochemical smog.

Tropospheric Ozone

Secondary pollutant formed by VOCs and $NO_x$ in sunlight.

Photochemical Smog

Air pollution containing ozone formed in sunny conditions.

Thermal Inversion

Warm air traps pollutants near the ground.

Acid Deposition

Wet or dry deposition of acidic compounds.

Indoor Air Pollution

Pollutants found inside buildings.

Radon

Radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors.

Asbestos

Fibrous mineral that can cause lung disease.

Sick Building Syndrome

Health issues linked to poor indoor air quality.

Noise Pollution

Excessive sound that harms organisms.

Light Pollution

Excessive artificial light affecting ecosystems.

Point Source Pollution

Pollution from a single identifiable source.

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Pollution from many diffuse sources.

Clean Air Act

U.S. law regulating air pollutant emissions.

Catalytic Converter

Vehicle device that reduces harmful exhaust emissions.

Wet Scrubber

Device that removes pollutants from smokestack gases.

Electrostatic Precipitator

Uses electrical charges to remove particulates.

Baghouse Filter

Fabric filter that captures particulate matter.

HEPA Filter

High-efficiency particulate air filter.

Urban Heat Island

Cities are warmer than surrounding rural areas.

Albedo

Reflectivity of a surface.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Compounds that deplete stratospheric ozone.

Stratospheric Ozone

Ozone layer that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Montreal Protocol

International treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances.