Table of Contents
What are the 2 gases that cause acid rain?
Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground.
What are the two main gases responsible for lowering down the pH?
The three main acidic gases responsible for lowering the pH of rainwater are non-metal oxides produced by the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Sulfur dioxide is produced when fossil fuels containing sulfur impurities are burned.
What 3 gases cause acid rain?
These include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. The gas most responsible for the “acid rain” effect on plants and water systems is sulfur dioxide, although carbon dioxide is the most plentiful combustion product emission gas.
What are the gases that form acid rain?
Power stations, factories and cars all burn fuels and therefore they all produce polluting gases. Some of these gases (especially nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide) react with the tiny droplets of water in clouds to form sulphuric and nitric acids.
How are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides carried?
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be carried very far by the wind. As a result, the two compounds can travel long distances where they become part of the rain, sleet, snow, and fog that we experience on certain days.
How are humans changing the mix of gases in the atmosphere?
Over the past few decades, humans have released so many different chemicals into the air that they have changed the mix of gases in the atmosphere. Power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity.
Why is acid rain bad for the environment?
In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain. Nature depends on balance, and although some rain is naturally acidic, with a pH level of around 5.0, human activities have made it worse.