Atmospheric Pollution
APES Unit 7 Flashcards
Review smog, thermal inversions, indoor air, acid rain and noise pollution with free AP Environmental Science flashcards.
Test your recall
How to studyChoose All flashcards to start studying.
What is covered in APES Unit 7?
Atmospheric Pollution connects emission sources with chemical reactions, pollutant transport and environmental effects. Identify the pollutant, explain how it forms or accumulates, and match it with an effective control. Choose a topic to practise its ten flashcards.
- 7.1 Introduction to Air Pollution (10 cards)
- 7.2 Photochemical Smog (10 cards)
- 7.3 Thermal Inversion (10 cards)
- 7.4 Atmospheric CO₂ and Particulates (10 cards)
- 7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants (10 cards)
- 7.6 Reduction of Air Pollutants (10 cards)
- 7.7 Acid Rain (10 cards)
- 7.8 Noise Pollution (10 cards)
Unit 7 carries a published 7–10% weighting in the multiple-choice section. Combine recall practice with diagrams, data analysis and explanations of pollution-control methods.
How to study atmospheric pollution with flashcards
- Trace the pathway.Connect a source to its emissions, atmospheric reactions and effects. Distinguish a directly emitted pollutant from one formed in the air.
- Match the control.Explain why a catalytic converter, scrubber or electrostatic precipitator targets particular pollutants. Name what the device removes or converts.
- Recall, then apply.Answer before flipping, mark uncertain cards as Needs practice and revisit them. Use the Unit 7 quiz to practise interpreting scenarios and data.
Smog check: sunlight drives reactions involving NOₓ and VOCs that produce ground-level ozone. An inversion can restrict mixing and concentrate pollutants near the surface.
Acid-deposition check: sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can form sulfuric and nitric acids. Consider both wet and dry deposition, transport and the receiving ecosystem’s buffering capacity.
Decibel check: a 10 dB increase means 10 times the sound intensity; a 20 dB increase means 100 times the intensity. Intensity and perceived loudness are different measures.
APES Unit 7 flashcard FAQs
What do APES Unit 7 flashcards cover?
These 80 flashcards cover all eight Atmospheric Pollution topics: air pollution, photochemical smog, thermal inversions, atmospheric carbon dioxide and particulates, indoor air pollutants, emission controls, acid rain and noise pollution.
How much of the AP Environmental Science exam is Unit 7?
College Board assigns Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution a 7–10% weighting in the multiple-choice section. Include all nine course units in your exam revision.
What is the difference between primary and secondary air pollutants?
Primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source, such as carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion. Secondary pollutants form through atmospheric reactions, such as ground-level ozone produced through sunlight-driven chemistry involving NOₓ and VOCs.
How do thermal inversions worsen air pollution?
An inversion places warmer air above cooler air and limits vertical mixing. Pollutants can then build up near the ground. The inversion changes dispersion; it does not create the emissions itself.
Does my Unit 7 flashcard progress save?
Favorites and self-assessment results save in this browser when local storage is available. Unit 7 progress is separate from other decks and does not sync across devices. Reset progress clears this deck’s results.