CEE FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTION| RATED A+ | 2026
solar eleva on angle (SEA)
Angle the sun makes with horizon at any me
- When sun is on horizon, SEA is 0degrees
solar noon angle (SNA)
Angle the sun makes with the horizon at solar noon
- Sun will be at absolute highest point in the sky at solar noon during any given year on the first
day of summer
- Sun will be at absolute lowest point in the sky at solar noon during any given year on the first
day of winter
solar noon
Time of day when sun is highest in sky
solar declina on (subsolar point)
The la tude where Sun is directly overhead at solar noon
- Can only be in the tropics on any given day
- Sun cannot be 90degrees above horizon unless you are within 23 ½degrees la tude of equator
weather sta on model
-middle circle shaded in = cloudy
-temperature = top le- number
-dew point (F) = bo/om le- number
-2 symbols = light precipita on
-3 symbols =. moderate precipita on
-4 symbols = heavy precipita on
-"." = rain
- "," = drizzle
-"*" = snow
,-wind blowing from direc on arrow points
-big line = 10, small line =5 so assume 15 knots but could be 12-17 knots since rounded to
nearest 5
-find sea level pressure by adding a decimal point and deciding whether 9 or 10 goes in front
(get closest to 1000)
-pressure trend: fell if - sign, add decimal in front to get net result/change mb over the last 3
hrs. add pressure trend # to sea level pressure to get pressure 3 hrs ago
- if \ indicates dropping at first and __ indicates steady
smog
air pollu on in urban and industrial areas
- Originally meant mixture of smoke and fog
- Now, generic term for air pollu on
vog
volcanic fog or gases
Clean Air Act of 1970
Responsible for the crea on of the Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA)
- The law aimed at comba ng air pollu on, by charging the EPA with protec ng and improving
the quality of the na on's air.
Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA)
The US federal agency with a mission to protect human health and the environment / an
independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollu on
and protec ng the environment
Primary Pollutants
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): colorless and corrosive gas from the combus on of coal and oil
- 99% comes from human ac vity
- Power plants, smelters, pulp and paper mills, and petroleum refineries
- SO2 → sulfur trioxide SO3 → reacts with water droplets to form sulfuric acid, H2SO4
- High SO2 concentra ons lead to breathing impairment for people with asthma
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):
, - NO (nitric oxide)
- NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)
- Forms naturally (lightning bolts from NOx and Ozone) but can be 10 to 100 mes higher in
concentra on in ci es compared to rural areas
- Bacteria can also cause NOx
- REDDISH-BROWN color
- Motor vehicles and power plants
- Nitric acid can lead to heart and lung problems
Vola le Organic Compounds (VOCs):
- Most common VOC is methane(Generally harmless --> Greenhouse gas)
- Wide array of solids, liquids and gases
- Some are carcinogenic
- Mainly caused by incomplete burning of gasoline in motor vehicles
Carbon monoxide (CO) - colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas (fatal) produced by the
incomplete burning of coal, wood...
- Enters through bloodstream and interrupts oxygen delivery
- Fortunately, this gas is usually quickly removed from the atmosphere
- ¾ of the US emissions from motor vehicles and off-road equipment
- Poorly ven lated tunnels and underground parking facili es are vulnerable to elevated CO
levels
- Mostly in the northern hemisphere
- MOST ABUNDANT & MOST DEADLY PRIMARY POLLUTANT!!!
Lead (Pb):
- Very dangerous to humans
- Accumulates in blood, bones, and so- ssues!
- Severe damage to nervous system
- Lead used to be added to gasoline to improve engine performance → It is now illegal to do this
What is the #1 primary pollutant and most deadly of all the primary pollutants in the US
carbon monoxide
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
-Headaches, N/V, abdominal discomfort, confusion, blurry or double vision, shortness of breath,
chest pain, nausea
SOLUTION| RATED A+ | 2026
solar eleva on angle (SEA)
Angle the sun makes with horizon at any me
- When sun is on horizon, SEA is 0degrees
solar noon angle (SNA)
Angle the sun makes with the horizon at solar noon
- Sun will be at absolute highest point in the sky at solar noon during any given year on the first
day of summer
- Sun will be at absolute lowest point in the sky at solar noon during any given year on the first
day of winter
solar noon
Time of day when sun is highest in sky
solar declina on (subsolar point)
The la tude where Sun is directly overhead at solar noon
- Can only be in the tropics on any given day
- Sun cannot be 90degrees above horizon unless you are within 23 ½degrees la tude of equator
weather sta on model
-middle circle shaded in = cloudy
-temperature = top le- number
-dew point (F) = bo/om le- number
-2 symbols = light precipita on
-3 symbols =. moderate precipita on
-4 symbols = heavy precipita on
-"." = rain
- "," = drizzle
-"*" = snow
,-wind blowing from direc on arrow points
-big line = 10, small line =5 so assume 15 knots but could be 12-17 knots since rounded to
nearest 5
-find sea level pressure by adding a decimal point and deciding whether 9 or 10 goes in front
(get closest to 1000)
-pressure trend: fell if - sign, add decimal in front to get net result/change mb over the last 3
hrs. add pressure trend # to sea level pressure to get pressure 3 hrs ago
- if \ indicates dropping at first and __ indicates steady
smog
air pollu on in urban and industrial areas
- Originally meant mixture of smoke and fog
- Now, generic term for air pollu on
vog
volcanic fog or gases
Clean Air Act of 1970
Responsible for the crea on of the Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA)
- The law aimed at comba ng air pollu on, by charging the EPA with protec ng and improving
the quality of the na on's air.
Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA)
The US federal agency with a mission to protect human health and the environment / an
independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollu on
and protec ng the environment
Primary Pollutants
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): colorless and corrosive gas from the combus on of coal and oil
- 99% comes from human ac vity
- Power plants, smelters, pulp and paper mills, and petroleum refineries
- SO2 → sulfur trioxide SO3 → reacts with water droplets to form sulfuric acid, H2SO4
- High SO2 concentra ons lead to breathing impairment for people with asthma
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):
, - NO (nitric oxide)
- NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)
- Forms naturally (lightning bolts from NOx and Ozone) but can be 10 to 100 mes higher in
concentra on in ci es compared to rural areas
- Bacteria can also cause NOx
- REDDISH-BROWN color
- Motor vehicles and power plants
- Nitric acid can lead to heart and lung problems
Vola le Organic Compounds (VOCs):
- Most common VOC is methane(Generally harmless --> Greenhouse gas)
- Wide array of solids, liquids and gases
- Some are carcinogenic
- Mainly caused by incomplete burning of gasoline in motor vehicles
Carbon monoxide (CO) - colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas (fatal) produced by the
incomplete burning of coal, wood...
- Enters through bloodstream and interrupts oxygen delivery
- Fortunately, this gas is usually quickly removed from the atmosphere
- ¾ of the US emissions from motor vehicles and off-road equipment
- Poorly ven lated tunnels and underground parking facili es are vulnerable to elevated CO
levels
- Mostly in the northern hemisphere
- MOST ABUNDANT & MOST DEADLY PRIMARY POLLUTANT!!!
Lead (Pb):
- Very dangerous to humans
- Accumulates in blood, bones, and so- ssues!
- Severe damage to nervous system
- Lead used to be added to gasoline to improve engine performance → It is now illegal to do this
What is the #1 primary pollutant and most deadly of all the primary pollutants in the US
carbon monoxide
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
-Headaches, N/V, abdominal discomfort, confusion, blurry or double vision, shortness of breath,
chest pain, nausea
