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 economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

What do you call the rain that contains chemical waste and causes of damage to plants and animals?

  1. Smog

  2. Acid rain

  3. Monsoon rain

  4. Seasonal rain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Acid rain is precipitation that has been made acidic by atmospheric pollution, specifically the presence of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which harms ecosystems.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Acid rain is the downpour of

  1. carbon dioxide in rain

  2. dust in rain

  3. sulphur dioxide in rain

  4. oxygen in rain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When the pH of raindrops down below 5.5 it is called acid rain. It occurs because of oxides of sulphur (SO2) and nitrogen (NO) which on reacting with water in the atmosphere form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. These acids then come down on earth along with rain and thus, making the rain acidic. Hence, acid rain is the downpour of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitric oxide (NO).

So, the correct answer is 'sulphur dioxide in rain'.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Recent reports of acid rains industrial cities are due to the effect of atmospheric pollution by?

  1. Excessive releases of $NO _2$ and $SO _2$ by burning of fossil fuels
  2. Excessive release of $CO _2$ by burning of fuel like wood and charcoal, cutting of forests and increased animal population
  3. Excessive release of $NH _3$ by industrial plants and coal gas

  4. Excessive release of CO in atmosphere by incomplete combustion of coke, charcoal and other carbonaceous fuels in pancity of oxygen
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

the biggest cause of acid rain today is Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released into the air by fossil-fuel power plants, oil refineries, and vehicles, that react with rain water to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively

So, the correct answer is 'Excessive releases of $NO _2$ and $SO _2$ by burning of fossil fuels'

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Acid rain is due to

  1. combustion to fossil fuels

  2. oxides of sulphur and nitrogen

  3. oil slick

  4. nuclear wastes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Acid rain has a pH of less than 5.2. When the pollutants, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen emitted in the atmosphere react with water, they form sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively which come down on earth along with the rain. Due to this, the rain becomes acidic. The reactions of the formation of nitric acid and sulfuric acid in the atmosphere are as follows:
SO2 + O2 ---> SO3
SO3 + H2O ---> H2SO4
NO + [O] ---> N2O5
N2O5 + H20 ---> HNO3

So, the correct answer is 'Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen'.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

What compounds are identified as contributing to acid rain?

  1. Carbon dioxide

  2. Sulphur and nitrogen oxides

  3. Mercury oxides

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

Acid rain is a rain that is usually acidic (elevated levels of hydrogen ions) or low pH. It can have harmful effects on plants and aquatic animals. Acid rain is caused by emission of sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides which react with water molecule in the atmosphere to produce acids.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Acid rain is caused due to increase in concentration of

  1. $SO _2\,\,and\,\,NO _2$
  2. $CO\,\,and\,\,CO _2$
  3. $CO\,\,and\,\,SO _2$


  4. Ozone and dust
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Acid rain refers to the precipitation with a pH of less than 5. It is a mixture of H$ _2$SO$ _4$ and HNO$ _3$, the ratio of the two acids vary depending on the relative quantities of sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides present in the atmosphere. These oxides are mainly produced by combustion of fossil fuels, smelters, industries, power plants, automobile exhausts etc. SO$ _2$ and NO when present in large quantities dissolved in water vapour form sulphuric acid and nitric acid which dissolve in rain water resulting in acid rain (H$ _2$SO$ _4$ ) and (HNO$ _3$) which in turn causes great damage to forests and vegetation.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Acid rain is due to pollution of

  1. Dust

  2. Pesticides
  3. $SO _2$ and $NO _2$

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

Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions with pH of less than 5. It is due to the excess of SO$ _2$and NO$ _2$ in the air which along with water form sulphurous and nitric acid. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure. Taj Mahal loss of whitening is because of Acid rain.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Increased $SO _2$ concentration in the air causes

  1. Global warming

  2. Eutrophication of lakes

  3. Depletion of the ozone layer

  4. Magnification of the ozone layer

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

Acid rain is the result of increased sulphur and nitrogen oxide levels in the atmosphere. When nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide reacts with water, oxygen and other chemicals forms nitric acid and sulfuric acid which then mix with rainwater and causes acid rain. Thus, the correct answer is option E.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

$\displaystyle { SO } _{ 2 }$ in the air causes

  1. Global warming

  2. Eutrophication of lakes

  3. Depletion of the ozone layer

  4. Magnification in the food chain

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

Sulphur dioxide (SO$ _2$) is an air pollutant. When this gas comes in contact with water droplets, it gets converted to mild sulphuric acid which is acidic. Hence in areas of pollution with SO$ _2$ gas, normal rain water gets converted to sulphuric acid. This is called as acid rain. Acid rain generally leads to weathering of buildings, corrosion of metals, and peeling of paints on surfaces.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

The Mathura refinery smoke is thought to reduce the shine of Taj mahal by

  1. Increasing U.V radiations

  2. Acid rain

  3. 3, 4 benzpyrene

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

The reduction in the shine of Taj mahal is understood by the term called as marble cancer. Various pollutants are emitted by the industries situated near Agra, specially the Mathura refinery. These pollutants react with the marble forming a fine layer of dust over it and also various gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide combines with moisture and settles down as acid rain on the walls of the monument thus provides a yellow tingle to its pure white marble.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Acid rain is caused due to increase in concentration of (in atmosphere)

  1. $SO _2$ and $NO _2$
  2. CO and $CO _2$
  3. CO and $SO _3$
  4. $O _3$ and dust
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Acid rain is rainfall and other forms of precipitation with a pH less than 5. Acid rain is caused by large scale emission of acidic gases into the atmosphere from thermal power plants, industries, and automobiles. The common ones are sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic carbons and hydrogen chloride. These oxides combine with water to form acids.

So, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Acid rains are produced by

  1. Excess $NO _2$ and $SO _2$ from burning fossil fuels
  2. Excess production of $NH _3$ by industry and coal gas

  3. Excess release of carbon monoxide by incomplete combustion
  4. Excess formation of $CO _2$ by combustion and animal respiration
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

When the industrial activities use the fossil fuels, the excess of this usage results in the release of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur. These condense around in the troposphere and react with water to form the nitric acid, nitrous acid, and sulphuric acid. These acids precipitate with rain to form the acid rain. Acid rain is corrosive to the tissues, buildings etc.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Excess NO$ _{2}$ and SO$ _{2}$ from burning fossil fuels'.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Corrosion of statues and monuments occurs due to

  1. Photochemical smog

  2. Carbon monoxide

  3. Acid rain

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

Acid rain is rich in sulphuric acid and nitric acid. These acids have corrosive effects on the building material. They get deposited on the limestone, sandstone, marble etc. and increase their corrosion when exposed to the rain and fog.

A. Photochemical smog causes respiratory illness.
B. Carbon monoxide causes a lack of oxygen in the body.
C. Acid rain corrodes the statues and monuments.
D. Methane is a greenhouse gas.
So, the correct answer is 'Acid rain'

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Which of the following gases cause acid rain?

  1. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide

  2. Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

  3. Oxides of nitrogen and carbon dioxide

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The fossils burn in the atmosphere and forms oxides. These oxides combine with the precipitation and forms acids. This acid falls on earth as acid rain. The acid rain harms the flora and fauna. It also causes skin diseases.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Etching of marble, limestone, jewellery, etc., is caused by pollutant.

  1. $CO _2$

  2. CO
  3. $SO _2$
  4. $CH _4$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Acidic compounds such as sulphuric acids and nitric acids are corrosive in nature and cause etching of marble, limestone and jewellery.

These are formed by oxides of nitrogen and sulphur and are corrosive.
So, the correct option is SO$ _2$.