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 chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Which oxides cause acid rains?

  1. Sulphur dioxide

  2. Nitrogen oxide

  3. Carbon dioxide

  4. Both A and B

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Air pollution from burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of acid rain. The main chemicals in air pollution that create acid rain are sulfur dioxide ($SO _2$) and nitrogen oxides. Acid rain usually forms high in the clouds where sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen, and oxidants. this mixture forms a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these reactions. Rainwater, snow, fog, and other forms of precipitation containing those mild solutions of sulfuric and nitric acids fall to earth as acid rain.

Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Sulphur dioxide gas can cause acid rain.

  1. True

  2. False

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The main chemicals in air pollution that create acid rain are $SO _2$ and $NO _x$. 

Acid rain usually forms high in the clouds, where sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen, and oxidants this mixture forms a mild solution of sulphuric acid and nitric acid.

Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Suspended particulate matter like __________ emitted from industries causes yellowing of marble.

  1. dust particles

  2. acidic gases

  3. soot particles

  4. all of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Industries like Mathura Oil refinery near Agra emits certain suspended particulate matter like soot particles. This results in yellowing of marble of the monument.

Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Acid rain is caused by emissions of:

  1. sulphur dioxide

  2. nitrogen dioxide

  3. both $A$ and $B$
  4. hydrogen

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 (low pH). It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. 

Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Which of the following is a major natural cause for acid rain?

  1. Earthquakes

  2. Cyclones

  3. Volcanoes

  4. Thunderstorm

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The major natural causal agent for acid rain is volcanic emissions. Volcanoes emit acid producing gases to create higher than normal amounts of acid rain or any other form of precipitation such as fog and snow to an extent of affecting vegetation cover and health of residents within the surrounding. 

Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Which is among the greatest contributors to gaseous pollutions that are responsible for acidic rain?

  1. Electrical power generation using coal

  2. Earthquakes

  3. Air pollution

  4. All of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The principal cause of acid rain is sulfur and nitrogen compounds from human sources, such as electricity generation, factories, and motor vehicles. Electrical power generation using coal is among the greatest contributors to gaseous pollutions that are responsible for acidic rain. The gases can be carried hundreds of kilometers in the atmosphere before they are converted to acids and deposited.

Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Photochemical smog is the chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile ________ compounds in the atmosphere, which leaves airborne particles and ground-level ozone.

  1. hydrocarbons

  2. inorganic compounds

  3. sulphates

  4. carbonates

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Photochemical smog is the chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere, which leaves airborne particles and ground-level ozone.
Hence option A is the correct answer.

Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

'Smog', which means 'smoke' plus 'fog', irritates eyes and the throat. Smog is mainly caused by pollutants from automobiles and industries when they:

  1. hit a dense shower of snow flakes

  2. react photochemically, due to the effect of ultraviolet light

  3. form a smoke ring

  4. react with oxygen in the air due to lightning electrical discharge from clouds

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Smog is especially common from automobile exhaust. A chemical reaction between solar ultraviolet radiation and an atmosphere polluted with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen causes photochemical smog. 
Multiple choice chemistry planet earth acid deposition air and air pollution natural resources- air, water and land

Sulphur oxides which are responsible for major air pollution are caused by:

  1. burning of coal and refining of pertoleum

  2. burning of fuels in automobiles

  3. combustion of fuels containing C and H

  4. using indoor combustion devices like cooking gas.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

$SO _2$ is a major gaseous pollutant found in the lower atmosphere. They are the compounds of sulphur and oxygen molecules. So when the fuels such as coal and oil are burnt, it leads to emission of $SO _2$ gas.