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

Which of the following causes air pollution?

  1. Planting trees

  2. Taking measures to reduce smoke

  3. Using catalytic converters

  4. Burning of fuels

  5. Using unleaded petrol
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Burning of fuels is the main cause of air pollution.

Multiple choice

Which of the following acts as a catalyst in the formation of photochemical smog?

  1. Ultraviolet light

  2. Sulfur dioxide

  3. Ground level ozone

  4. Radioactive pollutants

  5. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Modern smog does not usually come from coal but from vehicular and industrial emissions that are acted on in the atmosphere by ultraviolet light from the sun to form secondary pollutants that also combine with the primary emissions to form photochemical smog.

Multiple choice

What does photochemical smog contain?

a. Nitrogen dioxide b. Ozone c. VOCs

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. Both a and b

  4. a, b and c

  5. Both b and c

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

If volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in the atmosphere, the equation changes entirely. Highly reactive VOCs oxidise nitrogen oxide into nitrogen dioxide without breaking down any ozone molecules in the process. This leads to a proliferation of ozone near ground level and dense smog formation. Photochemical smog, as commonly seen in the Los Angeles basin, is mainly composed of ozone and nitrogen dioxide. If volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in the atmosphere, the equation changes entirely. Highly reactive VOCs oxidise nitrogen oxide into nitrogen dioxide without breaking down any ozone molecules in the process. This leads to a proliferation of ozone near ground level and dense smog formation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a pollutant?

  1. Ammonia gas

  2. Hydrogen sulphide

  3. Freon (these are chloro flouro gases used for cooling purpose in refrigerators)

  4. Chlorine gas

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

Carbon dioxide is present in large quantity in environment. So, it is called as pollutant. All other options are called contaminants because they are present in small quantities. A substance which enters environment due to man's activities and affects it in a bad way is called contaminant. A substance which is present in large quantity in environment and affects it in bad way is called pollutant.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an inorganic pollutant?

  1. Detergent

  2. Protozoa

  3. Chloroform

  4. Gasoline

  5. Ammonia

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

Ammonia is an inorganic pollutant. An organic pollutant is derived from carbon related compounds and an inorganic pollutant is derived from elements other than carbon. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following cannot reduce air pollution?

  1. Industries using CNG

  2. Catalytic convertor used in automobiles

  3. STPs

  4. Unleaded petrol in vehicles

  5. Thermal power plants using electrostatic precipitator
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are meant to reduce water polution.