Question

Which one of the following is not a common component of Photochemical smog?
A.Ozone
B.Acrolein
C.Peroxyacetyl nitrates
D.Chlorofluorocarbons

Answer 1

Hint: From the name itself, we can say that photochemical smog is related to the light because photo means light. As we know, ozone, acrolein, and PANs are known to be photochemical oxidants, whereas the chlorofluorocarbons are known as CFCs.

Complete step by step answer:
1.First, we will know about the photochemical smog. It is also known as summer smog, is a type of smog produced when UV light from the sun reacts with nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. During the morning, and afternoon it can be seen as a brown haze.
2.Now, to know the composition of photochemical smog, we said that nitrogen oxides take part in the reaction, and oxides are emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels.
3.The reaction further produces a mixture of components, i.e. ozone, nitric acid, aldehydes, peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs), and other secondary pollutants too.
4.These components of photochemical smog are named as photochemical oxidants, as they can oxidize the certain compounds in the atmosphere.
5.Thus, we can conclude that the chlorofluorocarbons are not a common component of photochemical smog. The correct option is D.

Note: Don’t get confused between the photochemical oxidants and the chlorofluorocarbons. As we know, if we talk about chlorofluorocarbons, they are responsible for degradation of ozone into molecular oxygen, whereas photochemical oxidants can react in the atmosphere, or even in the lungs of humans when they are not oxidized properly.