APES
Practice Exam
Name__________________
Atmosphere & Air Pollution
1. O3 molecules are primarily found in the
(1) exosphere
(2) ionosphere
(3) mesosphere
8. Which of the following is the primary agent in the destruction of
ozone?
(4) stratosphere
(5) troposphere
(1) Carbon dioxide
(2) Chlorofluorocarbons
(3) High-sulfur coal
2. Which of the following is true of the thermosphere?
Base your answers to questions 9 through 12 on the following air
pollutants.
(1) Air molecules in the thermosphere have high velocities.
(2) Energy from UV rays is mostly converted into chemical
energy.
(3) Its felt temperature is close to its measured temperature.
(4) It is the outermost layer of the atmosphere.
(5) Its mass is predominantly composed of free electrons.
(A) CFCs
(B) Ozone
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Sulfur dioxide
(E) DDT
3. The climate of Earth's poles is maintained by all of the following
EXCEPT
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
9. Fluctuates seasonally because of photosynthetic plants
albedo at poles
angle between the sun's rays and the Earth's surface at the poles
atmospheric depth at the poles
Earth's axial tilt
percent of sunlight absorbed at the equator
4. Base your answer to the following question on the following
elements. (A) Iron (B) Chlorine (C) Aluminum (D) Nitrogen
(E) Oxygen
(2) B
(1) A
(1) A
(1) A
(5) E
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
(5) E
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
(5) E
(3) C
(4) D
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
(5) E
13. Which of the following is NOT a nitrogen containing compound
that humans directly add to the environment?
(1) Nitric acid
(2) Nitrous dioxide
(3) Nitrous oxide
(5) E
(4) Ammonium nitrate
(5) Ammonia
14. Primary pollutants such as NO 2 are typically able to be transported
by prevailing winds above cities
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(4) I and II only
(5) I and III only
6. Thermal inversions are harmful to the ecosystem because
they cause frosts that result in a low food yield
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
they trap pollutants in the lower atmosphere
7. Which of the following is the most accurate approximation of the
composition of the atmosphere?
Nitrogen, 78%; oxygen, 21%; argon, 1%
Nitrogen, 21%; oxygen, 78%; carbon dioxide, 1%
Nitrogen, 78%; oxygen 21%; carbon dioxide, 1%
Nitrogen, 1%; hydrogen, 78%; oxygen, 21% ;
Oxygen, 78%; carbon dioxide, 21%; argon, 1%
in the colder air above the inversion layer
in the warmer air above the inversion layer
in the inversion layer
in the colder air below the inversion layer
in the warmer air below the inversion layer
15. In the eastern US, the main source of acid rain is
they result in the formation of hurricanes
they create low ocean temperatures that exacerbate already
problematic fish stock depletion
(5) all of the above
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(4) D
11. Is the major pollutant that wet scrubbers, unlike other commonly
used devices, can remove from exhaust gases of electric power and
industrial plants
(1) A
I. troposphere
II. stratosphere
III. mesosphere
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(3) C
10. Releases chlorine into the atmosphere once hit by UV radiation
5. Temperatures increase with increasing altitude in the
(1) I only
(2) II only
(3) III only
(2) B
12. Known to cause human neurological damage
The second most abundant element in the troposphere
(1) A
(4) Nitrous oxide
(5) Photochemical smog
SO2 emissions from coal-burning plants
SO2 emissions from motor vehicles
CO2 emissions from motor vehicles
NOx emissions form motor vehicles
NOx emissions from coal-burning plants
16. Which of the following is NOT a secondary air pollutant?
(1) SO2
(2) O3
(3) SO3
(4) PANs
(5) H2O2
17. Which of the following is a deadly, colorless, and odorless gas that
can accumulate when a car is left running in a sealed garage?
(1) CO
Page 1
(2) NO2
(3) SO2
(4) SPM
(5) O3
APES
Practice Exam
Name__________________
Atmosphere & Air Pollution
Base your answers to questions 18 and 19 on the diagram below.
18.Very low-density helium and hydrogen are the primary components of layer
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
(5) E
(4) D
(5) E
19.The lowest temperatures in the atmosphere are found in layer
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
20. Compounds such as NO2, O3, and PANs are
23.
(1) photochemical oxidants that can irritate the respiratory tract
and damage vegetation
(2) photochemical reductants that can irritate mucus membranes
and damage vegetation
(3) photochemical oxidants that can cause spontaneous
combustion
(4) primary pollutants that can irritate the mucus membranes and
pollute aquatic ecosystems
(5) secondary pollutants that can irritate the skin and pollute
aquatic ecosystems
21. Secondary pollutants are ALWAYS
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
formed by UV rays
emitted by factories and cars
found near cities and urban areas
formed from primary pollutants
precursors to acid rain
22. Which of the following is NOT a natural source of air pollutants
such as carbon oxides and sulfur oxides?
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Volcanoes
Forest fires
Decaying plants
Salt particulates from oceans
According to the graph above, which period is characterized by the
greatest decrease in CFC emissions?
(1) 1973-1976
(2) 1985-1881
(3) 1988-1991
The above are all sources of air pollutants
Page 2
(4) 1991-1994
(5) 1994-1997
APES
Practice Exam
Name__________________
Atmosphere & Air Pollution
24.
Based on the above graph, which of the following states most likely have rain with the lowest pH?
(1) Indiana
(2) Washington
(3) California
25. Which of the following is an example of a secondary pollutant?
(1) Carbon monoxide
(2) Sulfur dioxide
(3) Ozone
(4) Texas
30. The majority of NOx emission is caused by
(4) Nitrous oxide
(5) None of the above
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
26. Which of the following elements is NOT important in the formation
of industrial smog?
(1) C
(2) O
(3) N
(4) He
(5) H
27. Which of the following substances is believed to be a major source
of acid rain?
(1) CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
(2) CFC’s
(3) Sodium Hydroxide
(4) SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide)
(5) Dioxin
transportation
denitrification
industrial chemical synthesis
31. Due to the action of the prevailing winds in North America, the
precipitation of the lowest pH is found
(1) to the south and west
(2) to the north and west
(3) to the west
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(1) is produced from photographic chemicals such as silver
nitrate
(2) is generated through the sunlight-activated conversion of NO2 to
NO
(4) to the north
(5) to the east
daily variations in air temperature
daily variations in sea level
seasonal variations in photosynthetic activity
variations in ocean temperature
variations in levels of industrial activity
33. The highest concentrations of acid deposition in the world can be
found in
(1) US
(2) Russia
(3) France
29. Since the 1980's, worldwide output of CFC's has
(1) ceased entirely
(2) decreased
(3) increased
industrial fuel combustion
electric utilities
32. The periodic fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide
concentration are most directly explained by
28. Photochemical smog
(3) is present mainly in developing nations
(4) is known also as London-type smog
(5) is characterized by high levels of sulfur dioxide
(5) Pennsylvania
(4) remained the same
(5) gone unmeasured
Page 3
(4) Saudi Arabia
(5) China
APES
Practice Exam
Name__________________
Atmosphere & Air Pollution
34. The term "smog" refers to
42. Indoor air pollution
I. the atmospheric formation of ozone and peroxyacyl nitrates
II. sulfur dioxide emissions
III. high-phosphorous dust clouds
I. is of great concern in developed nations
II. is of great concern in developing nations
III. affects mainly those with compromised health
(4) I and II only
(5) I, II and III
(1) I only
(2) II only
(3) III only
(1) I only
(2) II only
(3) III only
35. Developing countries often have far more severe air pollution
problems in their cities than developed countries have in their cities
because
43. Of the following policies regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions from coal-burning electric plants, which is a prevention
rather than a cleanup or dispersion policy?
(1) people in developed countries use clean and efficient public
transportation
(2) developing countries have higher vehicle ownership per capita
(3) vehicles in developing countries must carry heavier loads
(4) vehicles in developing countries are generally older and in poor
repair
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
36. A decrease in tropospheric ozone most likely would result in
increased UV radiation
clearer air above cities
(1) I only
(2) II only
(3) III only
increased productivity by plants
more cloudless days
increased global warming
I. The use of fossil fuels
II. deforestation and clearing and burning of grasslands to raise
crops
III. cultivation of rice in paddies and use of inorganic fertilizers
fossil fuel burning
ozone layer thinning
38. Which of the following can reduce the air pollution around a city?
(1) I only
(2) II only
(3) III only
(4) Hills and mountains
(5) Higher temperatures
carpets and furniture
paneling and foam insulation
pipe insulation
(1) Copenhagen Protocol
(2) Montreal Protocol
(3) London Protocol
soil and rock surrounding the foundation
unvented gas stoves
(4) Acidic pesticides
(5) Basic air pollutants
(2) 25%
(3) 50%
(4) 65%
I. Humans
II. Many other animals besides humans
III. Primary producers
(1) I only
(2) II only
(3) I and II
41. The ozone layer blocks out what percentage of harmful UV
radiation from reaching the earth's surface?
(1) 5%
(4) WMO Protocol
(5) EPA Protocol
47. Depletion of the ozone layer is a danger to which of the following?
40. A statue in a state park built mostly out of marble and limestone has
been partially melted and disfigured. Which of the following most
likely caused this?
(1) Wind erosion
(2) Rain erosion
(3) Acid rain
(4) I and II only
(5) I, II, and III
46. Which of the following is the first treaty that was signed by 36
nations in 1987 to cut emissions of CFCs into the atmosphere by
35% by the year 2000?
39. Radon-222 can be found most commonly in US households in
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(4) I and II only
(5) I, II and III
45. Which of the following releases CO2 into the atmosphere,
enhancing the greenhouse effect and possibly causing global
warming?
thermal expansion
decreasing pOH of freshwater
tropical rainforest damage
(1) Rain and snow
(2) Lack of wind
(3) Urban buildings
Using tall smokestacks
Taxing each unit of pollutant produced
Removing pollutants after combustion
Setting up more frequent plant inspections
I. nuclear power plants
II. coal-burning plants
III. hydroelectric plants
37. Acid rain is directly linked with
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Removing sulfur from coal or burning low-sulfur coal
44. Scrubbers are found in
(5) people in developed countries drive less
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(4) I and II only
(5) I and III only
(5) 95%
Page 4
(4) I and III
(5) I, II, and III
APES
Practice Exam
Name__________________
Atmosphere & Air Pollution
48. A fictitious town named New Edurock is located in a lush valley, surrounded by mountains in a northern part of the Ohio Valley.
It is the site of several coal-burning power plants and suffers from disgusting amounts of smog. Sadly then, New Edurock is
blanketed by a brownish haze that persists during the afternoon of many sunny days.
(a) Identify a common air pollutant that could lead to this smog and a possible human source. (b) Explain how New Edurock's brownish haze is formed. (c) Why is this smog brown instead of gray, like many cities such as England and Chicago fifty years ago?
(d) Does New Edurock's physical location mitigate or exacerbate it's smog problems? Explain.
49. The ozone layer is thinnest over
(1) North America
(2) the Equator
(3) the North Pole
(4) Europe
(5) the South Pole
50. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 address all of the
following EXCEPT
(1) acid rain
(2) toxic emissions
(3) ozone depletion
(4) automobile exhaust
(5) PM2.5
Page 5
Answer Key
Air Pollution Practice Test
1.
4
42.
4
2.
1
43.
1
3.
5
44.
2
4.
5
45.
4
5.
4
46.
2
6.
2
47.
5
7.
1
48.
8.
2
9.
3
10.
1
11.
4
12.
5
13.
1
14.
2
15.
1
16.
1
17.
1
18.
5
19.
4
20.
1
21.
4
22.
5
23.
3
24.
5
25.
3
26.
4
27.
4
28.
2
29.
2
30.
3
31.
5
32.
3
33.
5
34.
4
35.
4
36.
2
37.
4
38.
1
39.
4
40.
3
41.
5
49.
5
50.
5
Page 6