Environmental Studies

Air Pollution

2,298 Questions

Air pollution questions address the sources of emissions, indoor air quality, and the formation of photochemical smog. You will explore the impact of particulate matter, acid rain, and urban pollutants. This is a highly relevant subject for environmental studies and general awareness tests.

Photochemical smogParticulate matter emissionsAcid rain causesIndoor air pollutionAmmonia emissions

Air Pollution Questions

Multiple choice

The gaseous pollutant released from complete combustion of a fuel is

  1. Carbon monoxide

  2. Carbon dioxide

  3. Sulphur dioxide

  4. Hydrogen sulphide
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is also a pollutant, when generated in large quantity, because it can reduce the oxygen concentration, in the air. It is a gas produced when fuel is burnt, in adequate oxygen. Normally, the atmospheric air will have 0.03% CO2 When it's concentration increases due to pollution, it reduces the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere.

Multiple choice

The pollutant released from sulphonation process is

  1. hydrogen sulphide

  2. sulphur trioxide

  3. hydrogen cyanide

  4. ammonia gas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the dangerous, pungent pollutant gases with many deleterious effects on the respiratory tract. It is released by many industries as a part of the sulphonation process.

Multiple choice

The gaseous pollutant causing death in its heavy doses is

  1. sulphur dioxide

  2. hydrogen sulphide

  3. hydrogen cyanide

  4. ammonia gas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When cyanide chemicals are used in the manufacturing process, hydrogen cyanide is formed as a by product. It is a highly corrosive and poisonous gas, leading to eye irritation, respiratory problems as well as other complications. In high doses, it can cause death.

Multiple choice

________ is a pollutant which may cause acid rain.

  1. Carbon monoxide

  2. Sulphur dioxide

  3. Hydrogen cyanide

  4. Carbon dioxide
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a dangerous pollutant with a potential to form sulphuric acid when mixed with water vapours.

Multiple choice

Main air pollutant is

  1. CO

  2. CO2

  3. S

  4. N2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the main pollutant of atmosphere. The maximum emission of CO occurs due to burning of petrol. In human beings the CO causes headache and difficulty in breathing. The haemoglobin has greater affinity for CO than oxygen.

Multiple choice

SO2 pollution is indicated by

  1. grasses

  2. mosses

  3. lichens

  4. fossils
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Lichens are very sensitive to SO2 and used as bioindicator of SO2 pollution.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following processes does not pollute air?

  1. Burning of dead wood

  2. Photosynthesis

  3. Use of cosmetics

  4. Use of insecticides
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Photosynthesis is a biological process where plants consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which helps clean the air rather than polluting it. The other options involve combustion or chemical release that contributes to pollution.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is not true?

  1. The international standards of drinking water contain fluoride 1 ppm and Pb < 50 ppb.

  2. London smog is reducing in nature.

  3. To control CO emission by automobiles, catalytic convertors are fitted into the exhaust pipes.

  4. Oil slicks in sea water decreases D.O. values.

  5. Industrial flue gases are freed from NOx and SOx pollutants by scrubbing them with NaOH.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This statement is false because industrial flue gases are freed from NOx and SOx pollutants by scrubbing them with H2SO4 or Ca(OH)2 or Mg(OH)2. Thus this option is correct.

Multiple choice

Which of the following options causes air pollution?

  1. Forest fires

  2. Loud speakers

  3. Insecticides

  4. Sewage
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radioactivity, are the natural causes of air pollution.

Multiple choice

Which of the following options does not cause acid rain?

  1. Carbon dioxide

  2. Methane

  3. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

  4. Nitrogen oxide
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Methane is an odorless, colourless, flammable gas, with chemical formula CH4. It is  the major constituent of natural gas, that is used as a fuel and is an important source of energy. It does not cause acid rain.