Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Photochemical smog causes cracking of rubber.
Reason (R) : Presence of ozone, nitric oxide, acrolein, formaldehyde and peroxyacetyl nitrate in photochemical smog makes it oxidizing.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
Show Hint
Remember the key features of photochemical smog: it is also called "oxidizing smog". Its main harmful components are ozone (O\(_3\)), peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), aldehydes, and nitrogen oxides. Ozone is responsible for the cracking of rubber and damage to vegetation. PAN and aldehydes cause severe eye irritation.
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the true explanation of (A).
Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the true explanation of (A).
(A) is true but (R) is false.
(A) is false but (R) is true.
Show Solution
The Correct Option isA
Solution and Explanation
To solve this question, we need to analyze both the Assertion (A) and the Reason (R), and determine their validity as well as the relationship between them.
Assertion (A): Photochemical smog causes cracking of rubber.
Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution derived from vehicular emission and industrial fumes that react in the atmosphere with sunlight to form secondary pollutants like ozone, nitric oxides, and peroxyacyl nitrates. Among these, ozone is particularly known for its oxidizing properties, which can degrade materials like rubber, causing it to crack. Thus, Assertion (A) is true.
Reason (R): Presence of ozone, nitric oxide, acrolein, formaldehyde and peroxyacetyl nitrate in photochemical smog makes it oxidizing.
The chemicals listed in Reason (R): ozone, nitric oxide, acrolein, formaldehyde, and peroxyacetyl nitrate, are indeed present in photochemical smog and contribute to its oxidizing nature. These compounds, especially ozone, are known to react with materials such as rubber, leading to their degradation. This information confirms that Reason (R) is true.
Analyze the Link between Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
We have established that the presence of oxidizing agents in photochemical smog, as mentioned in Reason (R), can cause materials like rubber to crack, which aligns directly with Assertion (A). The Reason (R) explains why photochemical smog causes the cracking of rubber, making it the correct explanation.
Based on the analysis above, the correct answer is:
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the true explanation of (A).
