Question

define photochemical smog

Answer 1

it is a type of smog...smog, itself the pollutants given off by burning fossil fuels .Photochemical smog is a type of secondary type of pollutants that occurs when chemicals give off react with sunlight in the atmosphere

Answer 2

Photochemical smog is a type of secondary pollutant that occurs when the chemicals given off react with sunlight in the atmosphere.

How Is Photochemical Smog Formed?

Photochemical smog is produced when pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels react with sunlight. The energy in the sunlight converts the pollutants into other toxic chemicals. In order for photochemical smog to form, there must be other pollutants in the air, specifically nitrous oxides and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

What Makes up Photochemical Smog?

When nitrous oxides and VOCs interact with sunlight, secondary pollutants are formed, such as ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate. These secondary pollutants are what we have been calling photochemical smog. You might think, 'Hey, isn't ozone good for protecting our atmosphere?' Well, it is, but only at levels high above the surface. When ozone is near humans, it can cause serious problems with our lungs and vision. Peroxyacetyl nitrate is one of the chemicals that is responsible for damaging lung tissue, and photochemical smog forms plenty of it.