EGEE 101
Energy and the Environment

Lesson 9: Look Out - Smog!

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Overview:

Young "Bo" Mathews and "his" General Lee ("Dukes of Hazzard" reference!)
Click for the transcript.

[Dr. Mathews drives onto camera by sliding his car on an unpaved parking lot. The tune from "The Dukes of Hazard" is playing the background.] [Dr. Mathews climbs out of his window as race car drivers do.] Dr. Mathews: You know I love "The Dukes of Hazard" as a kid growing up in England watching my three television channels. Fortunately part of the attraction is all the dust I've just generated. Unfortunately, these very small particles from these unpaved roads are going to stay in the atmosphere for quite a long time. They can cover quite large distances along with other emissions like sulfate aerosols, particulates coming out of my exhaust, and other fumes. [The camera zooms into the car's exhaust pipe and then back to Dr. Mathews.] They are going to cause problems. Part of these problems are regional haze and also lower air quality. This is what we are going to look at and how we can reduce them. One way is, don't drive like me. [Dr. Mathews struggles back into his car as the theme song begins to play again. The sound of a car peeling out plays as Dr. Mathews drives away.] [Video ends]

Lesson Objectives

This lesson is about the consequences of all the moving about that we do in our vehicles. You will be working towards the following learning objectives in this lesson:

  • Discuss pollution formation and control strategies
  • Relate vehicle changes to pollution reduction
  • Discuss fuel changes to pollution reduction
  • Articulate pollution impacts upon health

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