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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3ev044

An air sample analysed at noon in a sunny city shows a strong peak of ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate, little sulphur dioxide, and high levels of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from traffic. Which description of the smog and its effective control is correct?

  1. AOxidising (photochemical) smog; remove using limestone scrubbers
  2. BReducing (classical) smog; fit electrostatic precipitators to chimneys
  3. COxidising (photochemical) smog; reduce vehicle and hydrocarbon emission with catalytic converters
  4. DReducing (classical) smog; remove from coal combustion using scrubbers

Answer: C

Ozone and PAN, formed in sunlight from and hydrocarbons, characterise photochemical, oxidising smog. Its precursors come mainly from vehicles, so catalytic converters (and unleaded petrol) are the control. Scrubbers and precipitators address and particulates from coal burning, characteristic of classical smog.
Practice Environmental Chemistry More on Air pollution: gaseous pollutants, acid rain, smog

More questions on Air pollution: gaseous pollutants, acid rain, smog