Air Pollution and Water Cycle Concepts pt 2

Flashcards covering key concepts from air pollution and the water cycle.

What are particulates?

Solid or liquid particles suspended in air, such as dust or smoke.

What is Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)?

A primary air pollutant that results from burning fossil fuels and contributes to acid rain.

What is Tropospheric Ozone?

Ozone located in the troposphere, formed by chemical reactions between pollutants in the presence of sunlight.

What is Stratospheric Ozone?

Ozone located in the stratosphere that protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

What are Primary Air Pollutants?

Pollutants directly emitted into the atmosphere, such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.

What are Secondary Air Pollutants?

Pollutants that form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions, like ozone and certain acids.

What is Photochemical Smog?

A type of air pollution that occurs when sunlight reacts with pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

What are Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)?

Gases produced from burning fossil fuels that contribute to air pollution and the formation of smog.

What is Acid Deposition?

The process by which acidic substances fall from the atmosphere to the ground, affecting ecosystems.

What is Thermal Inversion?

A meteorological phenomenon where a layer of warm air traps pollutants close to the ground.

What is Radon gas?

A radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings and is a health risk.

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

The warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

What is Global Warming?

The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly greenhouse gas emissions.

What are CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)?

Chemical compounds that damage the ozone layer and are used in refrigeration and aerosol sprays.

What is Percolation in the water cycle?

The process by which water filters down through soil and rock layers to reach underground aquifers.

What is Transpiration?

The process by which water vapor is released from plant leaves into the atmosphere.

What is Evaporation?

The physical process where liquid water is converted into vapor and enters the atmosphere.

What is Surface Water?

Water that collects on the surface of the ground, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

What is Run Off?

Water from precipitation that flows over the ground and returns to bodies of water.

What is Movement in Air?

The transport of gases and particulates in the atmosphere, crucial for weather and air quality.

What role does the Ocean play in the water cycle?

The ocean acts as the primary source of evaporation, influencing weather and climate.