AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Thermal Inversion
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
A city reports several days of poor air quality with visible haze, despite no new major sources of pollution. What atmospheric condition is likely responsible?
A thermal inversion is likely responsible, as it traps existing pollution like smog and particulates close to the ground.
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A city reports several days of poor air quality with visible haze, despite no new major sources of pollution. What atmospheric condition is likely responsible?
A thermal inversion is likely responsible, as it traps existing pollution like smog and particulates close to the ground.
During a thermal inversion, where would you expect to find the highest concentration of smog and particulates?
You would expect to find the highest concentration of smog and particulates trapped close to the ground.
What does it mean for the normal temperature gradient to be 'altered' during a thermal inversion?
It means that instead of the air getting progressively cooler with altitude, a layer of warm air forms above a layer of cooler surface air.
What is the relationship between a thermal inversion and air pollution?
A thermal inversion traps pollution, such as smog and particulates, close to the ground, preventing it from dispersing into the upper atmosphere.
What is a thermal inversion?
A thermal inversion is an atmospheric condition where the normal temperature gradient is altered, causing the air at the Earth's surface to be cooler than the air at higher altitudes.
What specific types of pollution are mentioned as being trapped by thermal inversions?
The specific types of pollution mentioned are smog and particulates.
How does the air temperature profile during a thermal inversion differ from the normal atmospheric profile?
During a thermal inversion, the air is cooler near the surface and warmer at higher altitudes, which is the reverse of the normal profile where temperature decreases with altitude.
Describe the temperature of the air at the Earth's surface compared to the air at higher altitudes during a thermal inversion.
During a thermal inversion, the air temperature at the Earth’s surface is cooler than the air at higher altitudes.
Define the atmospheric phenomenon that traps pollution close to the ground.
This phenomenon is called a thermal inversion, where cooler surface air is trapped by a layer of warmer air above it.
If a factory continues to emit particulates during a thermal inversion, what is the immediate environmental consequence?
The immediate consequence is that the newly emitted particulates will be trapped near the ground, increasing the local concentration of pollution.