What is the difference between primary and secondary air pollutants What are some examples of each?

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Examples of primary vs.
Examples of primary pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and particulate matter (PM). Examples of secondary pollutants include photochemical oxidants (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide) and secondary particulate matter.



Accordingly, what is the difference between primary and secondary air pollutants?

Primary & Secondary pollutant. Definition: A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source. A secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.

Beside above, what are the primary and secondary sources of air pollution? Secondary pollutant form when primary pollutants emitted directly from a combustion process react in the atmosphere. Primary pollutants include ammonia, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Secondary pollutants include ground-level ozone, acid rain and nutrient enrichment compounds.

Just so, what is the difference between primary and secondary air pollutants quizlet?

fumigating conditions are common but are not long lasting. What is the difference between primary air pollutants and secondary air pollutants? Primary are emitted directly into the air from a specific source while secondary are not emitted directly from a source but are formed in the atmosphere.

What are the primary air pollutants?

Types of primary pollutants include:

  • Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Sulfur oxides (SOx)
  • Particulate matter (PM)
  • Mercury.
  • and more.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What is a primary pollutant example?

Examples of primary pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and particulate matter (PM). Examples of secondary pollutants include photochemical oxidants (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide) and secondary particulate matter.

What is the difference between primary and secondary?

Primary sources are first-hand accounts of a topic while secondary sources are any account of something that is not a primary source. Published research, newspaper articles, and other media are typical secondary sources. Secondary sources can, however, cite both primary sources and secondary sources.

What are the two examples of particulate air matter?

Particulates. Particulates, or particulate matter (PM), refer to any mixture of solid particles or liquid droplets that remain suspended in the atmosphere for appreciable time periods. Examples of particulates are dust and salt particles, and water and sulphuric acid droplets.

Do primary pollutants show synergism?

They do not show synergism. ADVERTISEMENTS: 5. Primary pollutants persist in the form they are released in the environment.

What are secondary pollutants examples?


Examples of a secondary pollutant include ozone, which is formed when hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) combine in the presence of sunlight; NO2, which is formed as NO combines with oxygen in the air; and acid rain, which is formed when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides react with water.

What does AQI mean?

An air quality index

Which is not a primary pollutant?

Explanation: Ozone is not a primary pollutant since it is formed by the photo-chemical reaction of oxygen with the UV rays and not directly discharged into the atmosphere by a source. 2. Explanation: Organic pollutants are those which primarily contain hydrogen and carbon.

How primary and secondary pollutants are harmful for humans and environment?

Primary pollutants are directly generated from human activities like from car, from ships, from construction work etc. Secondary pollutants form due to mixing of primary pollutants and natural resources such as water, air etc. They are harmful like mixing of sulphuric acid susoended in air with rain to form acid rain .

Which of the following is the most abundant primary pollutant?

oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and particulate matter (PM) are the most prevalent primary pollutants.

How do primary and secondary pollutants form quizlet?


Primary pollutants are harmful substances emitted directly into the air. Secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react with one another or with the basic components of air to form new harmful pollutants.

Why is photochemical smog typically worse in the summer?

Why is photochemical smog typically worse in the summer? There is more solar energy to drive photochemical reactions. Reactions occur between secondary air pollutants and sunlight.

What is the major source of air pollution today?

The combustion of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other factory combustibles is a major cause of air pollution. These are generally used in power plants, manufacturing facilities (factories) and waste incinerators, as well as furnaces and other types of fuel-burning heating devices.

What is the main source of air pollution in the world today quizlet?

The five primary air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and volatile organic compounds. The sources for all five of these pollutants include electricity production, industry, and transportation.

What are some of the general effects of air pollution on the environment?

Air pollution can have serious costs, penalties and consequences for the health of human beings and also ruthlessly distresses the natural bio-network and ecosystems. The main consequences of air pollution are global warming, acid rain, smog, ozone depletion etc.

Which is a secondary air pollutant quizlet?


A primary pollutant is a pollutant that is put directly into the air by human activity. A secondary pollutant is when a primary pollutant comes into contact with other primary pollutants or with naturally occurring substances. An example is ground-level ozone.

How air pollutants affect your health quizlet?

most come directly or indirectly from the burning of fossil fuels. AIR POLLUTANTS CAN DAMAGE THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND INTERFERE WITH THE BODY'S UPTAKE OF OXYGEN, AND CAUSE CANCER. THEY CAN TRAP SMOG CLOSE TO THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, PREVENTING THE POLLUTANTS FROM DISPERSING.

What is air pollution Why is it a problem quizlet?

Significance: Air Pollution is significant because it can be dangerous to humans and wildlife. For example, air pollution can lead to acid rain, which can destroy leaves and roots of plants, kill fish, and harm the health of other organisms.