Study GuidesExam QuestionsPast Papers
AP®Environmental ScienceCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 7: Atmospheric PollutionThermal Inversion

Thermal Inversion (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Exam Questions

5 mins5 questions
11 mark

Which of the following atmospheric phenomena is represented by the diagram?

Diagram illustrating temperature inversion: cool air at ground level, a warm inversion layer above a city, and more cool air above that.

  • Rainshadow effect

  • Surface albedo

  • Photochemical smog

  • Thermal inversion

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

21 mark

If the diagram below were modified to represent a thermal inversion, which of the following would be the correct order of the layers, starting with the surface.

Diagram illustrating temperature layers above a city, showing cooler air at the top, cool air in the middle, and warm air near the surface.

  • Warm air, colder air, cold air

  • Colder air, cool air, warmer air

  • Cool air, warm air, cooler air

  • Cooler air, warm air, cool air

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

31 mark

Based on the diagram, which of the following best explains why pollutants tend to be concentrated near the Earth's surface?

Diagram of temperature inversion over a city, showing warm inversion layer trapping cooler air below, with surrounding trees and hills.

  • Warm air rises quickly, carrying pollutants away from the surface.

  • A layer of warm air above cooler air prevents pollutants from dispersing upward.

  • Strong winds mix air layers, keeping pollution levels low.

  • Cold air sinks and disperses pollutants higher into the atmosphere.

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

41 mark

Which of the following explains a harmful consequence of a thermal inversion?

  • It increases air circulation, reducing pollution levels.

  • It traps pollutants near the surface, leading to poor air quality and health issues.

  • It decreases surface albedo, causing a positive feedback loop.

  • It enhances cloud formation, resulting in increased rainfall.

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

51 mark

Which of the following best explains how thermal inversions occur?

  • Cold air rises above warm air, allowing pollutants to disperse easily.

  • A layer of warm air traps cooler air and pollutants close to the ground.

  • Strong winds mix air layers, preventing pollution buildup.

  • High-pressure systems push warm air downward, creating stable weather conditions.

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?