What is meant by photochemical smog?
Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants that are formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react to sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities. It tends to occur more often in summer, because that is when we have the most sunlight. Primary pollutants.
What is an example of photochemical smog?
Common examples of primary pollutants that contribute towards photochemical smog include oxides of nitrogen such as nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrous oxide and most VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Is O3 photochemical smog?
Photochemical smog consists of ozone (O3) and other closely related species (“secondary pollutants”) that are produced photochemically from directly emitted species, in a process that is driven by sunlight and is accelerated by warm temperatures.
What is the largest contributor to photochemical smog?
Photochemical smog forms from a complex process, however the source of it is quite apparent. The largest contributor is automobiles, while coal-fired power plants and some other power plants also produce the necessary pollutants to facilitate its production.
What is the difference between classical smog and photochemical smog?
The key difference between classical smog and photochemical smog is that classical smog forms due to humid climate, whereas photochemical smog forms due to smoke coming from automobiles and factories. Moreover, classical smog forms in cool, humid climates, while photochemical smog forms in dry and sunny climates.
What is another name for photochemical smog?
Photochemical smog, which is also known as “Los Angeles smog,” occurs most prominently in urban areas that have large numbers of automobiles. It requires neither smoke nor fog. This type of smog has its origin in the nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon vapours emitted by automobiles…
What are examples of photochemical reaction?
Examples of photochemical reactions
- Photosynthesis: plants use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
- Human formation of vitamin D by exposure to sunlight.
- Bioluminescence: e.g. In fireflies, an enzyme in the abdomen catalyzes a reaction that produced light.
Which gas is formed in photochemical smog?
Among the pollutants involved in photochemical smogs are ozone, nitrogen dioxide and peroxyacyl nitrate (PAN). The nitrogen dioxide, and other oxides of nitrogen, are primary pollutants produced by dissociation in combustion reactions, and both ‘prompt’ and ‘thermal’ NOx can be involved in the reactions.
What are the causes of photochemical smog?
Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides come from car exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions. VOCs are released from gasoline, paints, and many cleaning solvents.
What is the difference between London smog and photochemical smog?
As the reaction take place in the presence of light to form the smog, it is called photochemical smog….Classical Smog vs Photochemical Smog.
| London smog or Classical smog | Los Angeles smog or Photochemical smog |
|---|---|
| It involves smoke and fog (smog) | The word smog is misnomer here as it does not involve any smoke or fog. |
What are the effects of photochemical smog?
Ozone and nitric oxide (NO) can irritate the nose and throat and their high concentration causes a headache, chest pain, dryness of the throat, cough and difficulty in breathing. Photochemical smog leads to cracking of rubber and extensive damage to plant life.
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