What is the composition of acid rain and how does it form?
Acid rain primarily consists of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃) dissolved in precipitation. It forms when sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are released into the atmosphere, mainly from burning fossil fuels in power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles. These pollutants react with water vapor, oxygen, and other atmospheric chemicals to form acidic compounds. When precipitation occurs, these acids fall to Earth in rain, snow, fog, or dry particles. Normal rain is slightly acidic (pH ~5.6) due to dissolved carbon dioxide, but acid rain can have a pH as low as 4.0 or even lower. Acid rain damages forests, acidifies lakes and streams (harming aquatic life), corrodes buildings and monuments, and contributes to soil degradation by leaching essential nutrients.
Suggested Q&A
General · Class 12- GeneralClass 12Electric Field at Centre of Ring with Non-Uniform Charge Distribution. Four quadrants carry linear charge densities: +2λ, −2λ, +λ, −λ. Find electric field at centre.
- GeneralClass 12P°(hexane) = 408 Torr, P°(heptane) = 141 Torr. x(hexane) = 0.300. Find Y₆ and Y₇.
- GeneralClass 122N₂O₅(g) → 4NO₂(g) + O₂(g). Initial P = 50 mmHg; P at 30 min = 87.5 mmHg. Find P at 60 min.
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between psychosis and neurosis?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between prism and a pyramid?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between phrase and clause?