Smog Lab Report

Instructions: In this lab activity, you will examine the sources and impacts of air pollution. You will run several
trials during the lab. Each trial will examine the impact of a different independent variable. Make sure to
develop a hypothesis before observing each trial. Once the trial is complete, compare your hypothesis to the
actual results. Use this lab report to collect data and analyze your results. Submit your lab report to your
instructor when completed.

Live Lesson Attendees: Jenna R. bo price, Megan Gray, Samuel Almonte

Title: Super Smog Report

Objective(s):

The purpose of this lab is to:

● outline the process of thermal inversion

● describe the sources of common air pollutants

Variables:

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Variable Definition OR Variable Definition Variable Definition

diagram OR diagram OR diagram
Controlled Layer height Layer Layer height
variables: height
Independent Wind Humidity Lapse Rate
variable: Velocity
Dependent Maximum Maximum Maximum
variable: Vertical Vertical Vertical
Dispersal Dispersal Dispersal
Height Height Height

Hypothesis:

Prediction 1: If we increase the wind velocity, the maximum vertical dispersal height and rate of diffusion will
increase.

Prediction 2: If we increase the humidity, the maximum vertical dispersal height will decrease after 24 hours.

Prediction 3: If we increase the lapse rate, the maximum vertical dispersal height of the pollutants will increase?.

Procedure:

Access the virtual lab and complete the procedures described. Provide a brief summary of the steps you
followed during the experimental procedure:

1)Find the objectives and variables.

2) Make a hypothesis.

3) Gather data.

4)Analyze data and make a conclusion.

Materials:

Smog Virtual Lab

Data:

Table 1: Wind Velocity and Maximum Vertical Dispersal Height

  Distance (m) Time (min.) Maximum Height (ft.)

Trial 1: 4000 m 67.5 min 520 m

Wind
Velocity= 1
m/s

Trial 2: 4000 m 22.8 min 450 m

Wind
Velocity= 3
m/s

Table 2: Humidity Level and Maximum Vertical Dispersal Height

  Distance (m) Time (min.) Maximum Height (ft.)

Trial 1: 4000 m 67.5 min 510 m

DRY

Trial 2: 4000 m 66.3 min 610 m

HUMID

Table 3: Lapse Rate and Maximum Vertical Dispersal Height

  Distance (m) Time (min.) Maximum Height of Minimum Height of
Pollution (ft.) Pollution (ft.)

Trial 1: 4000 m 67.5 min 520 m 0m

Lapse
Rate= 0
degree/k
m

Trial 2: 4000 m 68.3 min 620 m 0m

Lapse
Rate= 5
degree/k
m

Conclusion

Write a conclusion statement that addresses the following questions:

● Describe how wind velocity, humidity, and lapse rate affected the dispersal of smoke.
● Does your data support or fail to support your hypotheses (include examples)?

Conclusion:
more wind velocity can spread smoke more, at higher humidity it will spread smoke less because the smoke
would stay on water vapor. Because of the humidity, smoke would scatter slower and the air would be less dense at a
higher lapse rate so smoke wont disperse easily because of the lack of oxygen.

Post-Lab Reflection Questions

Answer the reflection questions, using what you have learned from the lesson and your experimental data. It will be
helpful to refer to your class notes. Answer questions in complete sentences.

1. Identify some sources, control strategies, and human health effects of air pollution.

SOURCES: Transportation, Industrial factories

CONTROL STRATEGIES: Drive less, don't burn trash, use solar panels

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS: Stroke, Asthma, Lung cancer, Heart disease

2. How do wind and weather impact air pollution?

rain washes out water-soluble pollutants and other particulate matter. Wind can move air pollution and
scatter it

3. Describe how air pollution is increased and decreased and the factors involved.
increased:Many cars running, burning of fossil fuels, unclean energy
 decreased: driving less, clean energy sources, plant trees

4. Explain thermal inversion and its harmful effects.

Thermal inversion is when warm air mass traps cool air that disrupts that regular air convection. The compounds
end up reacting with each other to form other pollutants such as ground-level ozone, thus posing a serious risk
to human health.

5. Compare and contrast diffusion and convection and the impact on dispersal of air pollution.

Contrast: Diffusion is when contaminants move through the air, reducing the concentration of the pollutants it
contains. Convection is the transfer of heat due to the movement of molecules within liquids.

Compare: They both help carry air pollutants away, reduce pollutants concentration; and therefore, reduce air
pollution.