Directions: After opening the page, click on the link- “run smog city”. Be patient, it may take time to load. There are six variables you can manipulate in the simulation. You will be manipulating the variables to discover the answers to the following questions.
Variables: (Pick One for Each)
• Air Speed (little windmill)
• Inversion Level- height of air mass that traps pollution (black stripe)
• Temperature (thermometer)
• Cloud Cover (clouds)
• Population (plain meter)
• Emissions (dials at the bottom)
1) What is AQI? What levels are there for air quality?
It is the air quality index, the levels there are: hazardous, very unhealthy, healthy, unhealthy for sensitive groups, moderate, good.
2) What is Ozone and why are children most at risk?
Ozone forms naturally in the upper atmosphere surrounding the Earth and protects life from the damaging ultraviolet light emitted by the sun. At ground level, the same ozone is harmful to living things; it is an air pollutant that damages human health, vegetation, and many man-made materials. Ground-level ozone is the key ingredient of urban smog. Children are most at risk from exposure to ozone because they are often active outside during the summer and their lungs are not fully developed.
3) How does air speed and wind affect the level of smog in the city? Explain.
4) How does temperature affect the level of smog in the city? Explain.
5) Which type of emission has the greatest affect on air quality? Identify and explain why.
6) Would you expect there to be more smog on a cloudy day or a clear day? Explain. RESET the simulator and try to create the WORST conditions for smog in your city you should be able to get the air quality index up to unhealthy levels- What are the readings for each of your variables to produce the nastiest city air? Discuss.
Variables: (Pick One for Each)
• Air Speed (little windmill)
• Inversion Level- height of air mass that traps pollution (black stripe)
• Temperature (thermometer)
• Cloud Cover (clouds)
• Population (plain meter)
• Emissions (dials at the bottom)
1) What is AQI? What levels are there for air quality?
It is the air quality index, the levels there are: hazardous, very unhealthy, healthy, unhealthy for sensitive groups, moderate, good.
2) What is Ozone and why are children most at risk?
Ozone forms naturally in the upper atmosphere surrounding the Earth and protects life from the damaging ultraviolet light emitted by the sun. At ground level, the same ozone is harmful to living things; it is an air pollutant that damages human health, vegetation, and many man-made materials. Ground-level ozone is the key ingredient of urban smog. Children are most at risk from exposure to ozone because they are often active outside during the summer and their lungs are not fully developed.
3) How does air speed and wind affect the level of smog in the city? Explain.
4) How does temperature affect the level of smog in the city? Explain.
5) Which type of emission has the greatest affect on air quality? Identify and explain why.
6) Would you expect there to be more smog on a cloudy day or a clear day? Explain. RESET the simulator and try to create the WORST conditions for smog in your city you should be able to get the air quality index up to unhealthy levels- What are the readings for each of your variables to produce the nastiest city air? Discuss.