11 mark
Air pollution contributes to premature deaths in the United States each year. What is the estimated range of annual fatalities?
10,000–50,000
90,000–360,000
500,000–1,000,000
Fewer than 1,000
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Introduction to Air Pollution (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Exam Questions
14 mins14 questions
21 mark
Which of the following is considered a primary pollutant?
Ozone (O3)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Nitric acid (HNO3)
Smog
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31 mark
Which of the following is not classified as a criteria air pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Particulate matter (PM)
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41 mark
Which of the following best describes how air pollutants are measured?
In kilograms per liter (kg/L)
As parts per million (ppm)
In micrometers per cubic meter (μm/m3)
In decibels (dB)
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51 mark
Which of the following is not a source of lead (Pb) emissions?
Industrial processes like mining and lead smelting
Battery manufacturing and metal processing
Agricultural fertiliser use
Waste incineration
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61 mark
Study the following data and answer the question below.
City | PM2.5 Concentration (µg/m3) | Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Concentration (ppb) | Carbon Monoxide (CO) Concentration (ppm) | Population (millions) | Area (km2) |
City A | 45 | 32 | 0.5 | 8 | 1500 |
City B | 75 | 50 | 0.8 | 12 | 3000 |
City C | 35 | 40 | 0.6 | 5 | 1000 |
City D | 90 | 60 | 1.2 | 15 | 2500 |
Which city has the highest overall air pollution based on the combined concentration of PM2.5, NO2, and CO?
City A
City B
City C
City D
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71 mark
Study the following data and answer the question below.
City | PM2.5 Concentration (µg/m3) | Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Concentration (ppb) | Carbon Monoxide (CO) Concentration (ppm) | Population (millions) | Area (km2) |
City A | 45 | 32 | 0.5 | 8 | 1500 |
City B | 75 | 50 | 0.8 | 12 | 3000 |
City C | 35 | 40 | 0.6 | 5 | 1000 |
City D | 90 | 60 | 1.2 | 15 | 2500 |
Which city has the lowest pollution density, considering both population size and total area?
City A
City B
City C
City D
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81 mark
Study the following data and answer the question below.
City | PM2.5 Concentration (µg/m3) | Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Concentration (ppb) | Carbon Monoxide (CO) Concentration (ppm) | Population (millions) | Area (km2) |
City A | 45 | 32 | 0.5 | 8 | 1500 |
City B | 75 | 50 | 0.8 | 12 | 3000 |
City C | 35 | 40 | 0.6 | 5 | 1000 |
City D | 90 | 60 | 1.2 | 15 | 2500 |
Which city has the lowest particulate concentration?
City A
City B
City C
City D
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91 mark
Study the following data and answer the question below.
City | PM2.5 Concentration (µg/m3) | Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Concentration (ppb) | Carbon Monoxide (CO) Concentration (ppm) | Population (millions) | Area (km2) |
City A | 45 | 32 | 0.5 | 8 | 1500 |
City B | 75 | 50 | 0.8 | 12 | 3000 |
City C | 35 | 40 | 0.6 | 5 | 1000 |
City D | 90 | 60 | 1.2 | 15 | 2500 |
Which city shows the most significant risk for respiratory issues based on NO2 pollution relative to area size?
City A
City B
City C
City D
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101 mark
The ozone layer is essential for life because it absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without the ozone layer, excessive UV radiation would reach the Earth's surface, increasing the risk of skin cancer and damaging crops and ecosystems. However, human activities have caused ozone depletion, thinning this protective layer and leading to the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.
Ozone can also be a pollutant. This type of ozone is a major component of smog and forms when pollutants from vehicles, industrial emissions, and chemical solvents react with sunlight. High concentrations of tropospheric ozone can cause respiratory issues, aggravate conditions like asthma, and harm plant life by interfering with photosynthesis.
What is the primary function of the ozone layer?
To trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere
To absorb harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation
To increase oxygen levels in the air
To produce smog and air pollution
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111 mark
The ozone layer is essential for life because it absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without the ozone layer, excessive UV radiation would reach the Earth's surface, increasing the risk of skin cancer and damaging crops and ecosystems. However, human activities have caused ozone depletion, thinning this protective layer and leading to the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.
Ozone can also be a pollutant. This type of ozone is a major component of smog and forms when pollutants from vehicles, industrial emissions, and chemical solvents react with sunlight. High concentrations of tropospheric ozone can cause respiratory issues, aggravate conditions like asthma, and harm plant life by interfering with photosynthesis.
Which human activity has contributed most to ozone layer depletion?
Burning fossil fuels
Using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Deforestation
Excessive water consumption
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121 mark
The ozone layer is essential for life because it absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without the ozone layer, excessive UV radiation would reach the Earth's surface, increasing the risk of skin cancer and damaging crops and ecosystems. However, human activities have caused ozone depletion, thinning this protective layer and leading to the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.
Ozone can also be a pollutant. This type of ozone is a major component of smog and forms when pollutants from vehicles, industrial emissions, and chemical solvents react with sunlight. High concentrations of tropospheric ozone can cause respiratory issues, aggravate conditions like asthma, and harm plant life by interfering with photosynthesis.
Which atmospheric layer is “good” ozone located?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
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131 mark
The ozone layer is essential for life because it absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without the ozone layer, excessive UV radiation would reach the Earth's surface, increasing the risk of skin cancer and damaging crops and ecosystems. However, human activities have caused ozone depletion, thinning this protective layer and leading to the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.
Ozone can also be a pollutant. This type of ozone is a major component of smog and forms when pollutants from vehicles, industrial emissions, and chemical solvents react with sunlight. High concentrations of tropospheric ozone can cause respiratory issues, aggravate conditions like asthma, and harm plant life by interfering with photosynthesis.
In which atmospheric layer is “bad” ozone located?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Exosphere
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141 mark
The ozone layer is essential for life because it absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without the ozone layer, excessive UV radiation would reach the Earth's surface, increasing the risk of skin cancer and damaging crops and ecosystems. However, human activities have caused ozone depletion, thinning this protective layer and leading to the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.
Ozone can also be a pollutant. This type of ozone is a major component of smog and forms when pollutants from vehicles, industrial emissions, and chemical solvents react with sunlight. High concentrations of tropospheric ozone can cause respiratory issues, aggravate conditions like asthma, and harm plant life by interfering with photosynthesis.
How does tropospheric ozone form?
It is directly emitted by vehicles and factories
It forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with sunlight
It is released naturally by plants and animals
It is formed when oxygen molecules are broken apart by UV radiation and recombine
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