About this previous year paper
SECTION A (Any 2 Questions Explained Briefly)
What do you understand by gustiness?
Gustiness refers to the rapid and irregular fluctuations in wind speed over a short period of time. It plays an important role in air pollution dispersion because sudden changes in wind speed can increase mixing of pollutants in the atmosphere and reduce their concentration near the ground.
Differentiate between dust, smoke and fumes.
Dust consists of solid particles generated due to mechanical processes such as crushing or grinding. Smoke is formed due to incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels and contains fine particles and gases. Fumes are very fine solid particles produced by condensation of vapors, usually formed during high-temperature processes like welding or metal smelting.
SECTION B (Any 2 Questions Explained)
Define Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and discuss its salient features.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in India to prevent, control and reduce air pollution. Its main features include the establishment of Central and State Pollution Control Boards, setting air quality standards, controlling emissions from industries and vehicles, and granting powers to authorities to take legal action against polluters. The Act plays a key role in protecting public health and the environment.
Explain the effects of noise pollution on human health.
Noise pollution has serious effects on human health. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, sleep disturbance and mental fatigue. It also reduces work efficiency and concentration and may lead to cardiovascular problems. Continuous noise exposure negatively affects both physical and psychological well-being.
SECTION C (Any 2 Questions Explained)
Differentiate between absorption and adsorption processes.
Absorption is a process in which a gas or liquid pollutant dissolves into the bulk of another liquid, such as removal of sulfur dioxide using water or chemical solutions. Adsorption is a surface phenomenon in which pollutants adhere to the surface of a solid material like activated carbon. Absorption involves volume interaction, whereas adsorption involves surface interaction.
Explain photochemical smog and its formation.
Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution formed when nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react in the presence of sunlight. These reactions produce secondary pollutants such as ozone, aldehydes and peroxyacetyl nitrate. Photochemical smog is commonly observed in urban areas with heavy traffic and strong sunlight and causes eye irritation, respiratory problems and damage to vegetation.
Most Questions in This PDF Are Related To
Most questions in the Air and Noise Pollution Control (KCE-057) paper are related to air pollutants and their sources, dispersion of air pollutants, air pollution control devices, environmental laws and standards, automobile emissions, noise pollution, health effects, and atmospheric phenomena such as smog and inversion. The paper mainly focuses on environmental protection and pollution control engineering concepts.