A two-stage air cleaner utilizes which two components?

The two-stage air cleaner is designed to improve air quality by effectively removing contaminants from the air. The correct pairing of components in a two-stage air cleaner involves an ionizer section and a collector section.

In this configuration, the ionizer section helps to charge airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, and smoke, causing them to clump together and become more substantial. This process enhances their ability to be captured by the subsequent collector section. The collector section typically employs a method, such as an electrostatic charge, to attract and trap these charged particles, thus efficiently cleaning the air.

The other options represent combinations of filtration or cleaning methods that do not specifically reflect the dual mechanism of a two-stage air cleaner. For instance, while pre-filters and HEPA filters are used in combination in many air purification systems, they do not formally constitute a two-stage process as defined in the context of this question. Therefore, the configuration of an ionizer followed by a collector is what highlights the unique two-stage functionality of this type of air cleaner.