Question 1

is a device designed to remove airborne pollutants from smokestack emissions.

Accepted Answer

A)  A tall stack 
B)  A coal washer 
C)  An air filter 
D)  A boiler 
E)  A scrubber 
A)  A tall stack 
B)  A coal washer 
C)  An air filter 
D)  A boiler 
E)  A scrubber

Question 2

The Los Angeles smog problem is made much worse by .

Accepted Answer

A)  high cloud levels, which deplete the local ozone layer 
B)  nearby mountains and the warm sunshine, which cause inversion layers 
C)  the foggy climate, which leads to acidic deposition 
D)  onshore breezes, which prevent pollution from dispersing 
E)  convection cells, which bring pollutants from other cities 
A)  high cloud levels, which deplete the local ozone layer 
B)  nearby mountains and the warm sunshine, which cause inversion layers 
C)  the foggy climate, which leads to acidic deposition 
D)  onshore breezes, which prevent pollution from dispersing 
E)  convection cells, which bring pollutants from other cities

Question 3

The Coriolis effect contributes to .

Accepted Answer

A)  increased acidic deposition 
B)  a reduction in eutrophication 
C)  global wind patterns 
D)  an increase in eutrophication 
E)  global warming 
A)  increased acidic deposition 
B)  a reduction in eutrophication 
C)  global wind patterns 
D)  an increase in eutrophication 
E)  global warming

Question 4

In the U.S., which of the following has decreased since 1980?

Accepted Answer

A)  population 
B)  energy consumption 
C)  air pollution emissions 
D)  gross domestic product (GDP) 
E)  vehicle miles traveled 
A)  population 
B)  energy consumption 
C)  air pollution emissions 
D)  gross domestic product (GDP) 
E)  vehicle miles traveled

Question 5

The Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun during .

Accepted Answer

A)  the June solstice 
B)  the March equinox 
C)  a time of intense solar radiation 
D)  the December solstice 
E)  a time of changing tidal forces 
A)  the June solstice 
B)  the March equinox 
C)  a time of intense solar radiation 
D)  the December solstice 
E)  a time of changing tidal forces

Question 6

In 1958 trash collection programs were established, and backyard incinerators were banned in the hope of reducing smog. However, it was estimated that massive amounts of gasoline were evaporating from storage tanks, fuel pump nozzles, and delivery trucks. This was also considered a serious contributor to smog, and over the next 20 years several new rules, and several new devices, were put in place to alleviate it. Despite the changes, there was still a great deal of photochemical smog. The major remaining problem was .

Accepted Answer

A)  the influx of new manufacturing, with new chemicals 
B)  too many coal -fired power plants along the coast 
C)  backyard trash incineration 
D)  insufficient city funding to improve waste dumps 
E)  the large distances driven daily by solitary commuters 
A)  the influx of new manufacturing, with new chemicals 
B)  too many coal -fired power plants along the coast 
C)  backyard trash incineration 
D)  insufficient city funding to improve waste dumps 
E)  the large distances driven daily by solitary commuters

Question 7

In the U.S., ambient air concentrations of which of the following have declined the most since 1980 compared to its health and safety standard?

Accepted Answer

A)  lead 
B)  SO2 
C)  CO 
D)  ozone 
E)  NO2 
A)  lead 
B)  SO2 
C)  CO 
D)  ozone 
E)  NO2

Question 8

Which of the following would occur if the Earth's axis tilt were 45 degrees rather than 23.5 degrees?

Accepted Answer

A)  The central United States would become more tropical. 
B)  The northern tier of the contiguous United States would experience winter days during which the sun would not rise above the horizon. 
C)  The sun would rise in the west and set in the east. 
D)  Seasons would not occur. 
E)  The mid -latitudes would remain cold throughout the year. 
A)  The central United States would become more tropical. 
B)  The northern tier of the contiguous United States would experience winter days during which the sun would not rise above the horizon. 
C)  The sun would rise in the west and set in the east. 
D)  Seasons would not occur. 
E)  The mid -latitudes would remain cold throughout the year.

Question 9

The relative humidity is the .

Accepted Answer

A)  difference in available water vapor at midnight and at noon 
B)  amount of oxygen a given volume of air holds relative to the maximum amount it could hold at a given temperature 
C)  amount of water vapor in the atmosphere 
D)  amount of oxygen in the atmosphere 
E)  amount of water vapor a given volume of air holds compared to the maximum amount it could hold at a given temperature 
A)  difference in available water vapor at midnight and at noon 
B)  amount of oxygen a given volume of air holds relative to the maximum amount it could hold at a given temperature 
C)  amount of water vapor in the atmosphere 
D)  amount of oxygen in the atmosphere 
E)  amount of water vapor a given volume of air holds compared to the maximum amount it could hold at a given temperature

Question 10

Lead pollution is a problem because lead .

Accepted Answer

A)  causes central nervous system damage in humans 
B)  is a precious metal, and it is being lost to the atmosphere 
C)  causes excess nutrification of waterways, resulting in eutrophication 
D)  can become attached to radon 
E)  will cause the ozone hole to increase 
A)  causes central nervous system damage in humans 
B)  is a precious metal, and it is being lost to the atmosphere 
C)  causes excess nutrification of waterways, resulting in eutrophication 
D)  can become attached to radon 
E)  will cause the ozone hole to increase

Question 11

The huge dust storms that took place in the United States in the 1930s .

Accepted Answer

A)  were the result of poor farming techniques 
B)  were the result of ozone depletion 
C)  were triggered by tornados, worsened by global climate change 
D)  were the result of glacier melt 
E)  were the result of polar cells 
A)  were the result of poor farming techniques 
B)  were the result of ozone depletion 
C)  were triggered by tornados, worsened by global climate change 
D)  were the result of glacier melt 
E)  were the result of polar cells

Question 12

Which of the following is a consequence of acid deposition?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is increasing the rate of global warming. 
B)  It leaches important minerals from soils. 
C)  It increases the likelihood of low -lying ground fogs. 
D)  It results in offshore eutrophication, damaging coral reefs. 
E)  It creates rainwater that can damage skin cells or cause cancers. 
A)  It is increasing the rate of global warming. 
B)  It leaches important minerals from soils. 
C)  It increases the likelihood of low -lying ground fogs. 
D)  It results in offshore eutrophication, damaging coral reefs. 
E)  It creates rainwater that can damage skin cells or cause cancers.

Question 13

The decrease in NOx emissions in the U.S. from 1970 to 2014 can be partially attributed to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  a decrease in the amount of energy consumed 
B)  a decrease in the amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere 
C)  the use of catalytic converters in motor vehicles 
D)  a decrease in vehicle miles traveled 
E)  the use of scrubbers in motor vehicles 
A)  a decrease in the amount of energy consumed 
B)  a decrease in the amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere 
C)  the use of catalytic converters in motor vehicles 
D)  a decrease in vehicle miles traveled 
E)  the use of scrubbers in motor vehicles

Question 14

Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant?

Accepted Answer

A)  radon 
B)  carbon monoxide 
C)  ozone 
D)  nitrogen oxide 
E)  sulfur dioxide 
A)  radon 
B)  carbon monoxide 
C)  ozone 
D)  nitrogen oxide 
E)  sulfur dioxide

Question 15

Carbon monoxide .

Accepted Answer

A)  blocks oxygen transport in human blood 
B)  is produced by plants during photosynthesis 
C)  is consumed by plants for photosynthesis 
D)  is a major component of the atmosphere 
E)  causes ozone depletion 
A)  blocks oxygen transport in human blood 
B)  is produced by plants during photosynthesis 
C)  is consumed by plants for photosynthesis 
D)  is a major component of the atmosphere 
E)  causes ozone depletion

is a device designed to remove airborne pollutants from smokestack emissions.

The Los Angeles smog problem is made much worse by .

The Coriolis effect contributes to .

In the U.S., which of the following has decreased since 1980?

The Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun during .

In the U.S., ambient air concentrations of which of the following have declined the most since 1980 compared to its health and safety standard?

Which of the following would occur if the Earth's axis tilt were 45 degrees rather than 23.5 degrees?

The relative humidity is the .

Lead pollution is a problem because lead .

The huge dust storms that took place in the United States in the 1930s .

Which of the following is a consequence of acid deposition?

The decrease in NOx emissions in the U.S. from 1970 to 2014 can be partially attributed to which of the following?

Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant?

Carbon monoxide .

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Sustainable Solutions

Answers to Data Analysis Questions

How to Interpret Graphs

Metric System

Periodic Table of the Elements

Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index

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Exam 17: Managing Our Waste

is a device designed to remove airborne pollutants from smokestack emissions.

The Los Angeles smog problem is made much worse by .

The Coriolis effect contributes to .

In the U.S., which of the following has decreased since 1980?

The Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun during .

In the U.S., ambient air concentrations of which of the following have declined the most since 1980 compared to its health and safety standard?

Which of the following would occur if the Earth's axis tilt were 45 degrees rather than 23.5 degrees?

The relative humidity is the .

Lead pollution is a problem because lead .

The huge dust storms that took place in the United States in the 1930s .

Which of the following is a consequence of acid deposition?

The decrease in NOx emissions in the U.S. from 1970 to 2014 can be partially attributed to which of the following?

Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant?

Carbon monoxide .

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Sustainable Solutions

Answers to Data Analysis Questions

How to Interpret Graphs

Metric System

Periodic Table of the Elements

Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index

Filters