Which gas is associated with photochemical smog?

Which gas is associated with photochemical smog?

• A. Tropospheric ozone
• B. Stratospheric ozone
• C. CO2
• D. N2O

Answer: (A)

Photochemical smog forms when sunlight drives reactions between pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, producing ozone in the lower atmosphere. This ground-level ozone, or tropospheric ozone, is the gas most closely associated with photochemical smog and is responsible for the hazy, oxidant-rich air and related health effects. Stratospheric ozone sits higher up and protects us from UV radiation; it isn’t part of smog. CO2 and N2O are greenhouse gases and aren’t the characteristic gases formed specifically by photochemical smog processes in the lower atmosphere.

Photochemical smog forms when sunlight drives reactions between pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, producing ozone in the lower atmosphere. This ground-level ozone, or tropospheric ozone, is the gas most closely associated with photochemical smog and is responsible for the hazy, oxidant-rich air and related health effects. Stratospheric ozone sits higher up and protects us from UV radiation; it isn’t part of smog. CO2 and N2O are greenhouse gases and aren’t the characteristic gases formed specifically by photochemical smog processes in the lower atmosphere.