The Air We Breathe
What causes air pollution?Copyright Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/ojbyrne/2167696800
Students learn what causes air pollution and how to investigate the different pollutants that exist, such as toxic gases and particulate matter. They investigate the technologies developed by engineers to reduce air pollution.
Engineers continually work to prevent pollution so our air is safe to breathe, have students investigate what is in air in the associated activity I Breathe WHAT??. One mechanical engineering invention is a catalytic converter that reduces smog by changing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in automobile exhaust into less harmful carbon dioxide and water vapor. Engineers continue to explore new, creative ideas to lower the emissions into the air, such as designing more efficient vehicles, industrial filters to reduce the amount of particulate matter released into the atmosphere, and indoor air filters to keep our indoor air clean. Have students investigate engineering and using air quality systems with the associated activity Cleaning the Air.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify some of the major causes and characteristics of air pollution.
- List several technologies developed by engineers to reduce air pollution.
- Identify resource-related activities that they could do to reduce air pollution.
- Describe some historical events that occurred because of air pollution.