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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Environmental Chemistry  ·  NEET & JEE

The nitrogen oxides that trigger photochemical smog come chiefly from:

Answer: vehicle exhaust.

  • A plant respiration
  • B vehicle exhaust
  • C ocean spray
  • D volcanic ash

Correct answer: B. vehicle exhaust

Explanation: High-temperature combustion in vehicle engines produces the NOₓ that seeds photochemical smog.

Classical (London) SmogSources: coal burningSO₂ + particulates + fogReducing typeConditions: cold, humid,early morning, winterVisibility: very low (fog)London, 1952 - ~4000 deathsHarms: eyes, lungs, bronchitisPhotochemical (LA) SmogSources: vehicles, industriesNOx + hydrocarbons + UVOxidising typeConditions: warm, sunny,afternoon, summerProducts: O₃, PAN, acroleinLos Angeles (common in cities)Harms: eyes, rubber cracking

Classical smog is a reducing mixture of SO₂ and fog, while photochemical smog is an oxidising mixture generated by UV-driven reactions of NOx and hydrocarbons.

Concept context

Understand how human activities alter the atmosphere, water, and soil. Covers air pollutants, smog types, ozone depletion, acid rain, greenhouse effect, water and soil pollution, and the principles of green chemistry.

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