What is photochemical smog?

Prepare for the Water and Air Pollution Test with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ace your exam preparation!

Multiple Choice

What is photochemical smog?

Explanation:
Photochemical smog forms when sunlight drives reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air, producing ozone and other secondary pollutants that create a brownish haze. The key is the sunlight-activated chemistry that turns these pollutants into smog, so sunny, stagnant conditions with lots of vehicle and industrial emissions lead to this brown air. This is distinct from gray industrial smog from coal burning, which is driven by sulfur dioxide and particulates, and from indoor mold emissions, which are not caused by sunlight-driven atmospheric chemistry.

Photochemical smog forms when sunlight drives reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air, producing ozone and other secondary pollutants that create a brownish haze. The key is the sunlight-activated chemistry that turns these pollutants into smog, so sunny, stagnant conditions with lots of vehicle and industrial emissions lead to this brown air. This is distinct from gray industrial smog from coal burning, which is driven by sulfur dioxide and particulates, and from indoor mold emissions, which are not caused by sunlight-driven atmospheric chemistry.

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