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AP Environmental Science Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Practice AP Environmental Science Unit 7 questions on air pollutants, photochemical smog, indoor air, pollution controls, and acid deposition.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Environmental Science

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

Respond to parts A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

Question (a)

(a)

One major environmental problem is air pollution. Air pollution can come from natural or

anthropogenic sources. Motor vehicles can be a source of particulate matter (PM) and other

pollutants.

Identify an anthropogenic source of particulate matter, other than from motor vehicles.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

One way to reduce pollutants associated with motor vehicles is to use a vapor recovery

nozzle. Describe one way a vapor recovery nozzle is used to reduce atmospheric pollution.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Acid rain is another air pollutant linked to motor vehicles. Over the past few years, there

has been an increase in the number of people working from home, so fewer people are

commuting to work in their personal vehicles.

Explain how a decrease in the number of people commuting to work in their personal

vehicles could lead to a reduction in acid rain.

[ 1 ]

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution question 2

[Maximum number: 2]

The diagram shows the movement of one adult manatee over a 12 -hour period across an active shipping channel during the winter. Manatees are large, aquatic, herbivorous mammals that primarily eat seagrass. Manatees can travel several miles to graze. Manatees mature slowly, have low biotic potential, and inhabit warm coastal waters. They cannot survive in water below 20°C for extended periods of time.

\section*{Satellite Track and Water Temperature Log of the Movement of One Adult Manatee Over a 12-Hour Period}

Figure for Question Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution question 2 — AP Environmental Science

Key Urban land Bay water Seagrass beds
Water Temperature - 13-19°C □ 20-23°C Δ2426C\Delta 24-26^{\circ} \mathrm{C}

Question (a)

(a)

Describe how summertime weather conditions can increase the frequency of photochemical smog.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Identify one ecological problem that results from exposure to photochemical smog.

A potential solution to reduce photochemical smog in urban areas with high automobile traffic is to replace gasoline-powered cars with cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

[ 1 ]

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

What important phenomenon that often plays a role in air pollution episodes is illustrated in the diagram above?

A

Albedo

B

Greenhouse effect

C

Inversion

D

Stratification

E

Heat-island effect

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

A student enters a science fair competition with a project on demonstrating how CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} and particulates come from a variety of natural sources. Which of the following would her experiment most likely conclude?

A

CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} comes from decomposition and respiration and particulates from pollen and dust.

B

Volcanic eruptions do not produce CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} or particulates.

C

CO2\mathrm{CO}_{2} is produced from nuclear energy power plants.

D

Particulate matter is completely anthropogenic.

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