This set of Pollution Control Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Greenhouse Effect – Set 2”.
1. Sulphur dioxide is categorised as a greenhouse gas.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Sulphur dioxide is not a greenhouse gas. Unlike greenhouse gases, it does not absorb the IR radiation emitted by the earth’s surface. However, it does contribute to the production of aerosols, which either cause global dimming or global warming.
2. Which of the following aerosols acts like a greenhouse gas?
a) Soot
b) Dust
c) Sulphate aerosols
d) Nitrate aerosols
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Explanation: Soot particles are aerosols that cause global warming by absorbing heat. Soot may even deposit on snow and ice, thus reducing their capacity to reflect light. Other aerosols listed cause global dimming.
3. What does global warming potential measure?
a) It measures the heat energy a gas absorbs
b) It measures the global warming a gas causes
c) It measures the radiative forcing a gas causes
d) It measures the heat energy a gas radiates
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Explanation: Global warming potential or GWP is a measure of how much radiative forcing a greenhouse gas causes. Global warming caused by various greenhouse gases is compared using this tool.
4. What is the relative Global Warming Potential (GWP) of sulphur hexafluoride?
a) 0.22
b) 22.8
c) 2280
d) 22800
View Answer
Explanation: Relative GWP is a measure of global warming potential of a given greenhouse gas (sulphur hexafluoride here) when compared to that of carbon dioxide. It indicates that sulphur hexafluoride is 22800 times more effective than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.
5. By how many times is methane a more effective greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide?
a) 0.25 times
b) 25 times
c) 2500 times
d) 25000 times
View Answer
Explanation: The value of relative global warming potential (GWP) indicates the effectiveness of gas that causes global warming. Effectiveness of greenhouse gases can be measured using this tool. Hence, methane is 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide.
6. Which sector releases enough carbon dioxide to account for 50% of the heating caused by carbon dioxide?
a) Agricultural
b) Industrial
c) Energy production
d) Deforestation
View Answer
Explanation: The primary source of carbon dioxide is the combustion of fossil fuels. The energy production sector produces enough carbon dioxide to account for 50% of its heating.
7. If methane is more effective than carbon dioxide, then why are we more concerned about the latter?
a) The concentration of carbon dioxide is more
b) Carbon dioxide is more harmful
c) Methane is not as harmful
d) The lifetime of methane is higher
View Answer
Explanation: Carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) is higher than the methane concentration (ppb) in the environment. Carbon dioxide also has a longer lifetime in the atmosphere. Additionally, methane converts to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is why the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is so concerning.
8. Which of the following is the primary source of ground-level ozone?
a) Industries
b) Fossil fuel combustion
c) It is already present in the atmosphere
d) Smog
View Answer
Explanation: The primary source of ground-level ozone is photochemical smog. Ozone is produced in the smog when nitrous oxides react with hydrocarbons in the presence of light. Another source is its production from carbon monoxide in the smog.
9. List the greenhouse gases from most abundant to least.
a) Water vapour > Carbon dioxide > methane > CFCs
b) Carbon dioxide > Water vapour > methane CFCs
c) Methane > Carbon dioxide > CFCs > Water vapour
d) CFCs > Water vapour > Carbon dioxide > Methane
View Answer
Explanation: Water vapour is the greenhouse gas with the highest concentration in the atmosphere, followed by carbon dioxide. Although its lifetime is restricted since water vapour precipitates once the air saturates. The emissions of CFCs have dwindled over the years, as industries have moved to using alternatives.
10. Which of the following causes greenhouse effect?
a) Aerosols
b) Lower atmosphere clouds
c) Upper atmosphere ozone
d) Oxygen
View Answer
Explanation: Clouds cause the greenhouse effect. They absorb heat because of the suspended particles of water vapour present in them. It is notable that this happens at lower atmosphere levels.
11. What is the primary source of methane?
a) Energy sector
b) Industrial sector
c) Livestock rearing
d) Effluents
View Answer
Explanation: Livestock rearing is the primary source of methane. Livestock produce methane as a product of their digestion. The industry of livestock rearing is large, and therefore, the production of methane from it is too.
12. Which of the following industries is a primary source of nitrous oxide?
a) Industrial sector
b) Energy sector
c) Domestic sector
d) Agricultural sector
View Answer
Explanation: The agricultural industry is responsible for the bulk of nitrous oxide production. Nitrogenous fertilisers also contribute to the emission of this gas. Some industrial sectors may produce some NOx, but it is less significant.
13. What was the pre-industrial atmospheric concentration of methane in the atmosphere?
a) 280 ppm
b) 280 ppb
c) 700 ppm
d) 700 ppb
View Answer
Explanation: The pre-industrial concentration of methane was 700 parts per billion. This concentration had remained so for thousands of years and is governed by the methane cycle. The concentration of methane in the atmosphere in 2020 is 1850 parts per billion.
14. What was the pre-industrial concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere?
a) 280 ppb
b) It varies regionally
c) 700 ppm
d) 450 ppm
View Answer
Explanation: It is difficult to estimate the pre-industrial concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere with certainty. Its concentration varies from region to region based on the temperature and climate.
15. What is the net effect of aerosols?
a) Negative radiative forcing
b) Positive radiative forcing
c) They do not change radiative forcing
d) Measurement is difficult
View Answer
Explanation: Most aerosols reflect sunlight and tend to cool the environment. This is true even with soot causing some warming directly or indirectly. Therefore, aerosols contribute to negative radiative forcing.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Pollution Control.
To practice all areas of Pollution Control, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
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