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APES Study Guide
Unit 4: Atmospheric Dynamics, Climate Change, and Air Pollution
Following a brief introduction to the structure and characteristics of the Earth’s atmosphere is a survey of several air pollution
problems including a few of the most significant global environmental concerns facing humanity.
Textbook Reference: Botkin, Keller, Environmental Science, 9th edition: Chapters 20-21
Other Materials: Movies - The 11th Hour, What Price Clean Air
Vocabulary
ENSO
atmosphere
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
electromagnetic spectrum
visible light
ultraviolet light
climate
microclimate
weather
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gases
global warming
climate change
absorption
albedo
reflection
scattering
respiratory system
bronchiole
alveoli
cilia
photochemical smog
temperature inversion
oxides of sulfur (SOx)
oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
acid deposition
acid rain
peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs)
aldehydes
particulate matter (PM-10)
buffer
the Clean Air Act
catalytic converter
electrostatic precipitator
scrubber
cyclone collector (separator)
baghouse filter
indoor air pollution
radon gas
primary pollutant
secondary pollutant
mobile sources
polar vortex
ozone
ozone layer (shield) ozone
depletion
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Dobson unit
UVA
UVB
UVC
Montreal Protocol
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
StudyGuide Questions (SGQs)
1. Describe the composition and structure of the
atmosphere, include a detailed graph of altitude vs.
temperature.
2. Outline the evidence that climate change is occurring,
and describe three ways in which climate change will
affect life on Earth.
3. Provide one example of a negative feedback loop that
could occur in the process of global warming and one
example of a positive feedback loop that could occur.
4. Identify and describe the natural sources of ozone in the
atmosphere and the functions that the naturally
occurring ozone performs in the Earth system.
5. Describe the conditions leading to ozone depletion, and
the possible consequences of ozone depletion.
6. Differentiate between global warming and ozone
depletion.
7. Identify and describe the substitutes for CFCs and
explain how they prevent the destruction of stratospheric
ozone.
8. Explain how poor communication by scientists and
public misconceptions about science contributed to the
controversy surrounding the ozone hole and its causes.
9. Compare urban air pollution problems in developed
countries with those in developing countries.
Discuss why it is easier to solve air pollution
problems in the developed world.
10. Describe the major features of the human respiratory
system and the effects of various air pollutants on the
components of the human respiratory system.
11. Distinguish between primary and secondary pollutants
and list and describe two examples of each.
12. Explain how acid deposition occurs, and the effects
it has on the environment.
13. Identify and describe several methods for removing
particulates from the exhaust gases of electric power
and industrial plants.
14. Radon gas is nontoxic and nonreactive, however,
once radon gas enters homes, it poses a threat to
human health. Discuss how radon enters homes
and explain the process that makes radon a health
threat even though it is only a weak radiation
emitter.
15. Other than radon, list three significant indoor air
pollutants. For each, identify its source, the effect it
has on human health, and a method for reducing or
eliminating its presence.