Question
The formation of photochemical smog is a result of a series of reactions between chemicals in the atmosphere and light. Which of these events likely occurs first in the formation of photochemical smog?
Responses
A The formation of ozone in the atmosphereThe formation of ozone in the atmosphere
B The oxidation of hydrocarbons in the atmosphereThe oxidation of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere
C The formation of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphereThe formation of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere
D The release of nitric oxides and hydrocarbons from vehicle exhaust
Responses
A The formation of ozone in the atmosphereThe formation of ozone in the atmosphere
B The oxidation of hydrocarbons in the atmosphereThe oxidation of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere
C The formation of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphereThe formation of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere
D The release of nitric oxides and hydrocarbons from vehicle exhaust
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The event that likely occurs first in the formation of photochemical smog is:
**D. The release of nitric oxides and hydrocarbons from vehicle exhaust.**
This is because the emissions from vehicles, which include nitric oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs or hydrocarbons), are the initial source of the pollutants that participate in the subsequent chemical reactions leading to the formation of photochemical smog. After these pollutants are released, they undergo further reactions in the presence of sunlight, leading to the formation of nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and other components of smog.
**D. The release of nitric oxides and hydrocarbons from vehicle exhaust.**
This is because the emissions from vehicles, which include nitric oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs or hydrocarbons), are the initial source of the pollutants that participate in the subsequent chemical reactions leading to the formation of photochemical smog. After these pollutants are released, they undergo further reactions in the presence of sunlight, leading to the formation of nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and other components of smog.