Chapter 3: Problem 14

Describe the relationship between automobiles and the production of ozone and PANs in city air. What are the principal negative impacts of these gases?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Automobiles contribute to the production of ozone and PANs in city air by emitting nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, which react in sunlight to form these gases. Ground-level ozone causes respiratory problems and harms crops and vegetation. Also, PANs cause respiratory and eye irritation and damage vegetation.

Step by step solution

Identify the Emissions

Automobiles, especially those that run on fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel, emit various compounds as part of their exhaust. This primarily includes nitrogen oxides (\(NO_x\)) and hydrocarbons. They are released into the environment due to the combustion processes in the engine.

Formation of Ozone and PANs

These nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react in sunlight to form tropospheric ozone (\(O_3\)), a key component of urban smog. Furthermore, PANs (Peroxyacyl Nitrates) are similarly formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in sunlight. Basically, this is photochemical smog production.

Impact of Ozone and PANs

While ozone is beneficial in the stratosphere as it protects living things from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, it's harmful at ground level. It causes respiratory problems like coughing, throat irritation, and lung damage. It also impacts crop yields and other vegetation. PANs, on the other hand, irritate the respiratory system, cause eye irritation, and also damage vegetation

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Describe the relationship between automobiles and the production of ozone and PANs in city air. What are the principal negative impacts of these gases?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify the Emissions

Formation of Ozone and PANs

Impact of Ozone and PANs

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