AP Environmental Science
Study Guide: Chapter 17
Atmospheric Science and Air Pollution
Key Terms
acidic deposition
air pollutants
air pollution
atmosphere
atmospheric pressure
carbon monoxide
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Clean Air Act of 1970
Clean Air Act of 1990
climate
cold front
convective circulation
Coriolis effect
criteria pollutants
industrial smog
inversion layer
lead
Montreal Protocol
nitrogen dioxide
ozone layer
particulates
photochemical smog
polar cells
primary pollutants
radon
relative humidity
secondary pollutants
stratosphere
sulfur dioxide
temperature inversion
thermal inversion
toxic air pollutants
troposphere
tropospheric ozone
volative organic compounds (VOCs)
warm front
weather
Chapter Objectives
1. Describe the composition, structure, and function of Earth’s atmosphere.
2. Outline the scope of outdoor air pollution and asses potential solutions.
3. Explain stratospheric ozone depletion and identify steps taken to address it.
4. Define acidic deposition and illustrate its consequences.
5. Characterize the scope of indoor air pollution and assess potential solutions.
From the Reading
1. What “incentive” has London used to cut down on its pollution? What do you think of it?2. How deep is the atmosphere compared to the rest of the earth?
3. Describe the composition of the atmosphere. How are humans influencing the composition?
4. On what basis have we divided the atmosphere into layers? Name them, starting at the earth’s surface.
5. What is the ozone layer? Where is it? Why is it important?
6. Study figure 17.3 on p. 475. What happens to atmospheric pressure as we ascend in the atmosphere? Why?
7. What is relative humidity and why is it included with the weather report on tv?
8. Study Fig. 17.4 on p. 477. What is the result of the differences in the angle of inclination of the sun at different latitudes?
9. Study Fig. 17.5 on p. 477. Describe the “reasons for the seasons”.
10. Distinguish between weather and climate
11. How does Fig. 17.6 on p. 477 reflect convection and its importance to our weather?
12. Study Fig 17.7 on p. 478. Distinguish between cold fronts and warm fronts. How would an observer determine which was coming?
13. Studying Fig. 17.8 and the accompanying text on p. 478, describe inversion layers, where they occur, and why they are of concern.
14. In general, what causes large scale circulation patterns on the planet? In what wind belt do we live? How does this affect our weather?
15. Discuss some natural sources of air pollution. What natural source might offset global warming somewhat?
16. Distinguish between primary and secondary air pollutants, giving examples of each.
17. Discuss the legislation that addresses air quality.
18. List the 6 criteria pollutants, their sources, and their negative effects on health.
19. Study Fig. 17.11 on p. 483. How many NAAQS does CT fail to meet? Find out what they are. How about southern California?
20. Study Fig. 17.13 on p. 484. What is the good news?
21. What is the purpose of the equipment depicted in Fig. 17.14 on p. 485? How does it work?
22. Distinguish between photochemical smog and industrial smog. Study the chemical pathways involved in each.
23. What happened in Donora, PA?
24. Describe the history of the ozone hole. What was found to be causing it and what international treaty addressed it? This treaty is considered highly successful. What factors contributed to its success?
25. What causes acid deposition and what environmental effects does it have?
26. Discuss indoor sources of air pollution in both developed and developing nations. What steps can you and your family take to reduce indoor air threats?