AP®Environmental ScienceCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 7: Atmospheric PollutionThermal Inversion

Thermal Inversion (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Exam Questions

5 mins5 questions
1
1 mark

Which of the following atmospheric phenomena is represented by the diagram?

Diagram illustrating temperature inversion: cool air at ground level, a warm inversion layer above a city, and more cool air above that.

  • Rainshadow effect

  • Surface albedo

  • Photochemical smog

  • Thermal inversion

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

If the diagram below were modified to represent a thermal inversion, which of the following would be the correct order of the layers, starting with the surface.

Diagram illustrating temperature layers above a city, showing cooler air at the top, cool air in the middle, and warm air near the surface.

  • Warm air, colder air, cold air

  • Colder air, cool air, warmer air

  • Cool air, warm air, cooler air

  • Cooler air, warm air, cool air

Choose your answer

3
1 mark

Based on the diagram, which of the following best explains why pollutants tend to be concentrated near the Earth's surface?

Diagram of temperature inversion over a city, showing warm inversion layer trapping cooler air below, with surrounding trees and hills.

  • Warm air rises quickly, carrying pollutants away from the surface.

  • A layer of warm air above cooler air prevents pollutants from dispersing upward.

  • Strong winds mix air layers, keeping pollution levels low.

  • Cold air sinks and disperses pollutants higher into the atmosphere.

Choose your answer

4
1 mark

Which of the following explains a harmful consequence of a thermal inversion?

  • It increases air circulation, reducing pollution levels.

  • It traps pollutants near the surface, leading to poor air quality and health issues.

  • It decreases surface albedo, causing a positive feedback loop.

  • It enhances cloud formation, resulting in increased rainfall.

Choose your answer

5
1 mark

Which of the following best explains how thermal inversions occur?

  • Cold air rises above warm air, allowing pollutants to disperse easily.

  • A layer of warm air traps cooler air and pollutants close to the ground.

  • Strong winds mix air layers, preventing pollution buildup.

  • High-pressure systems push warm air downward, creating stable weather conditions.

Choose your answer