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 zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Read the following statements carefully.
(i) An electrostatic precipitator removes particulate matter by imposing negative charge on them.
(ii) Catalytic converters convert unburnt hydrocarbons into $ { CO } _{ 2 } $ and water.
(iii) Peroxyacyl nitrates (PAN) is a secondary pollutant.
(iv) DDT is a non-biodegradable pollutant.

Which of the above statements are incorrect ?

  1. (i) and (ii)

  2. (iii) and (iv)

  3. (i) and (iii)

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
An electrostatic precipitator removes particulate matter by imposing a negative charge on them. Then they are separated electrostatically.
Catalytic converters convert unburnt hydrocarbons into CO2CO2 and water. They are used in automobiles.
Peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) is a secondary pollutant formed by reaction of oxides of nitrogen and unsaturated hydrocarbons.
DDT is a non-biodegradable pollutant.
All the given statements in the question are correct,
So, the correct option is 'None of these'.
Multiple choice zoology environmental issues air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control not for breathing not for drinking

A pollution control device which can remove gases like $SO _2$ are known as

  1. Electrostatic precipitator

  2. Scrubber

  3. Chimneys

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  • A pollution control device which can remove gases like SO$ _2$ is known as a scrubber. It removes most of the sulfur oxides from the smokestack exhaust of a power plant when sulfur dioxide enters a scrubber.
  •  In the scrubber, there is a water spray that produces a cloud of fine water droplets. The water is mixed with crushed limestone, which reacts with the sulfur and pulls it out of the exhaust.

So, the correct answer is 'Scrubber'.
Multiple choice zoology environmental issues air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control not for breathing not for drinking

Air pollution management for particulate matter is carried out by devices such as arresters. The device which is not an example of arrester is:

  1. Cyclonic seperator

  2. Scrubber seperator

  3. Gravity settling chamber

  4. Teflon porous bags or filters
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Scrubber separator is a type of dust separator device and not particulate matter separator.

So, the correct answer is 'scrubber separator'

Multiple choice zoology environmental issues air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control not for breathing not for drinking

Air pollution from automobiles can be controlled by fitting

  1. Cyclone separator

  2. Electrostatic precipitator

  3. Catalytic converter

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

A catalytic converter is an emissions control device that converts toxic pollutants in exhaust gas to less toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction 

Multiple choice zoology environmental issues air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control not for breathing not for drinking

Which of the following reduce(s) air pollution?
(i) Using an incinerator
(ii) Using renewable energy
(iii) Fixing catalytic converters in vehicles

  1. Only (i)

  2. (ii) and (iii)

  3. (i) and (iii)

  4. (i), (ii) and (iii)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Incinerators are used to burn garbage which produces toxic ash, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxides etc and thus, contributes to the air pollution. This method is mainly used to reduce solid wastes. Using renewable energy like solar and wind energy are the natural energy source that does not contribute to the air pollution. Catalytic converters reduce air pollution as it converts the harmful gas into the useful like it converts the carbon monoxide into the carbon dioxide which then absorbed by the plants. Thus, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Catalytic converter is involved in the control of 

  1. Air pollution

  2. Radioactive pollution

  3. Sewage and chemical from industry

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

Pollution is the addition of contaminants in the environment which degrades its quality. The air pollution is the major threat which needs to be regulated. A catalytic converter is a device used to reduce the emissions from an internal combustion engine (automobiles and vehicles). Enough oxygen is not available to oxidize the carbon fuel in these engines completely into carbon dioxide and water; thus toxic by-products are produced. Catalytic converters are used in exhaust systems to provide a site for the oxidation and reduction of toxic by-products (like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons) of fuel into less hazardous substances, such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, and nitrogen gas.

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Gaseous pollutants can be controlled by

  1. Electrostatic precipitators

  2. Pyrolysis

  3. Incineration

  4. Adsorption

  5. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Adsorption is the phenomena where the atoms, ions or molecules from the gases, liquid and solids to a surface. It is a surface-based phenomenon and it easily absorbs the gas molecules and can reduce gaseous pollutants.

The fine particles, like dust and smoke, from a flowing gas, is separated using the force of an induced electrostatic charge through electrostatic precipitators.
Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures.
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials.
So, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

In coal fired power plants, electrostatic precipitators are fitted to control emission of

  1. $NO _x$

  2. CO

  3. SPM
  4. $SO _2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The electrostatic precipitators work on the principles of the electrostatic force. It consists of discharge wires and collecting plates. An application of high voltage to the discharge wires create an electric field between the wires and the plates. When the air containing the dust and suspended particulate matter like aerosols and solid particles is passed through this electrostatic field, the particles get charged and are collected onto the plate as per Coulomb's Law. This makes the air free of dust and SPM. Electrostatic precipitators are used in vehicles and coal-fired power plant to restrict the entry of dust and SPM into the atmosphere

So, the correct answer is 'SPM'

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Air pollution is not reduced by

  1. Using precipitators

  2. Reusing wastes

  3. Cleaning air

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Air pollution is caused by the release of harmful oxides of nitrogen, sulphur and carbon from the vehicular exhausts and industrial emissions primarily. Using precipitators allow the removal of dust from these emissions. Keeping the air clean by minimizing the combustion of fossil fuels, less use of vehicles, use of catalytic converters can help in reducing the air pollution. Reusing waste allows the minimal production of non-degradable waste. Hence, the correct answer is 'Reusing wastes'.

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Thermal plants have installed

  1. Cyclone collector

  2. Porous filters

  3. Electrostatic precipitators

  4. Adsorbents
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
A. Cyclone collector removes particulate matter from air, water or gas stream.
B. Porous filters remove minute particles from liquids and gases.
C. Electrostatic precipitators removes the particulate matter from air as the particles are charged and get settled down when they are passed through a chamber.
D. Adsorbents remove very fine particles from air or water as the particles get stuck on the surface of adsorbents.
Thermal plants have installed electrostatic precipitators to remove the fly ash formed as a result of boiler emissions.
So, the correct answer is 'Electrostatic precipitators'.
 
Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Particulate and gaseous pollutants along with harmless gases are released from the thermal power plants. Name the most widely used device of removing particulate pollutants from the air.

  1. Electrostatic precipitator

  2. Fabric filters

  3. Cyclone separators

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An electrostatic precipitator is widely used to eliminate particulate and gaseous pollutants from the air with the help of a high-voltage electrostatic charge. Thermal power plants release various harmful gases and particulate matter in the environment such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other harmful emissions. Electrostatic precipitators are known to be very effective in removing the harmful chemicals present in the emissions. They are the best device for controlling air pollution.

So, the correct answer is 'Electrostatic precipitator'.

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Which source of air pollution has a large stationary source?

  1. Point Source

  2. Area Source

  3. Line Source

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

A point source of air pollution refers to a single, identifiable stationary location, such as a factory smokestack or a power plant, which releases pollutants into the atmosphere.

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Which one of the following is not a device used to control a particulate matter? 

  1. Arresters

  2. Scrubbers

  3. Filters

  4. Electrostatic precipitator

  5. Incinerator
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

  • Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials.
  •  Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment".
  •  Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas and heat.
  • Hence, Incinerator is not a device used to control a particulate matter.
So, the correct answer is 'Incinerator'.

Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

In a coal fired power plant electrostatic precipitators metabolites are installed to control emission of 

  1. CO
  2. $SO _2$
  3. $NO _x$

  4. SPM
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
  • Coal burning results in the generation of large quantities of coal residues, which contains very fine particles that tend to become airborne and which contribute to the formation of suspended particulate matter (SPM). 

  • An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a filtration method that removes fine particles, like dust and smoke, from a flowing gas using the force of an induced electrostatic charge minimally impeding the flow of gases through the unit.

    Hence, option D is correct.
Multiple choice zoology not for breathing not for drinking air pollution and its control air pollution - effects and control environmental issues

Which one of the following will not control particulate pollutants?

  1. Incinerator

  2. Arrester

  3. Scrubber

  4. Filter

  5. Electrostatic precipitator
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Incineration is also called as a thermal process, it involves combustion of organic substances contained in waste material. It converts the waste material into ash, gases, particles and heat which are then put into the application for generation of electricity. The incinerator is the device where waste is burnt e.g. furnace. Now incinerators are equipped with systems to reduce the emission of highly toxic gases during the process. The output of incinerator is gases, particles and heat thus for controlling particulate pollutant filtration and precipitators are installed to clean out the gases as a result of incineration. These do not have any control over particulate pollutants.

Hence the correct answer is 'Incinerator'.