Air Pollution Basics
This gas, produced by burning fossil fuels, is the main contributor to global warming.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
This common nutrient from fertilizers can cause harmful algal blooms in water.
What is nitrogen?
Burning fossil fuels is an example of this type of chemical reaction.
What is combustion?
This process turns used materials into new products to reduce waste.
What is recycling?
These small plastic pieces found in water and products are called this.
What are microplastics?
This toxic gas is formed when carbon burns without enough oxygen.
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
This process happens when excess nutrients cause rapid algae growth and oxygen depletion.
What is eutrophication?
This forms when gases mix with water in the air and make this type of substance.
What is acid rain?
Using less energy reduces the need to burn fossil fuels, lowering emissions of this greenhouse gas.
What is carbon dioxide?
Litter like plastic bottles and wrappers is an example of this kind of pollution.
What is land pollution?
This pollutant forms when nitrogen oxides react with sunlight and oxygen, creating smog.
What is ozone (O₃)?
Oil spills harm water because oil does not mix with water due to this property.
What is nonpolarity?
Rust forms when iron reacts with this gas in the air.
What is oxygen?
This renewable energy source uses chemical reactions in photovoltaic cells.
What is solar energy?
Batteries can leak this harmful heavy metal into the environment.
What is lead?
These tiny solid or liquid particles in air pollution are called this.
What is particulate matter (PM)?
This toxic metal, often found in contaminated fish, can damage the nervous system.
What is mercury (Hg)?
The pH of acid rain is typically lower than this neutral value.
What is 7?
This type of material can break down naturally over time in the environment.
What is biodegradable?
This common household chemical, when mixed incorrectly with bleach, can produce toxic gas.
What is ammonia?
This element in fuel used to be a major air pollutant before being removed from gasoline.
What is lead (Pb)?
This term describes chemicals that build up in organisms as you move up the food chain.
What is biomagnification?
This gas reacts with water to form carbonic acid, slightly lowering ocean pH.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
This principle of chemistry focuses on designing safer chemicals and reducing waste.
What is green chemistry?
This compound in fertilizers can contaminate drinking water and is harmful at high levels.
What is nitrate (NO₃⁻)?