Question

photochemical smog consists of

Answer 1

Photochemical smog is the chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere, which leaves airborne particles and ground-level ozone. This noxious mixture of air pollutants may include the following: Aldehydes. Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide

Answer 2

Answer: Photochemical smog constitutes of primary and secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants are released into the atmosphere by industrial processes and emission of automobiles. These include mainly nitrogen oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds ( VOCs). When these primary pollutants interact in the presence of solar radiation ( Ultraviolet radiation), they form harmful secondary pollutants like peroxyacetyl nitrates, ozone, and aldehydes.

The mixture of these primary and secondary pollutants form photochemical smog. It extensively degrades the air quality and therefore becomes the major cause of air pollution. It is quite common in dry and sunny cities.