Consider the following : 1. Oxides of Hydrogen 2. Oxides of Nitrogen 3. Oxides of Sulphur Which of the above is/are the cause/causes of acid rain?

Consider the following : 1. Oxides of Hydrogen 2. Oxides of Nitrogen 3. Oxides of Sulphur Which of the above is/are the cause/causes of acid rain? Correct Answer 2 and 3 only

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Key Points

  • Acid rain refers to any precipitation (rain, fog, mist, and snow) that is more acidic than normal (pH of less than 5.6).
  • pH below 7 is considered to be acidic. the pH of water is 7 and above 7 all are Bases.
  • It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure through the process of wet deposition.
  • Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce corresponding sulphuric and nitric acids which fall along with rain droplets on the ground.

Important Points

  • N2O and NO are neutral in nature.
  • N2O3, NO2, and N2O5 are acidic in nature.
  • These acidic oxides react with water and produce acids like HNO3 (Nitric acid) and HNO2 (Nitrous acid) which causes acid rain.
  • The neutral oxides are comparatively less, and they combine with oxygen and produce nitrogen dioxide.
  • Thus, N2O and NO are indirectly involved (2NO +O2 —>2NO2) in causing acid rain.

Additional Information

  • Acid rain can be extremely harmful to forests.
  • Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium, that trees need to be healthy.
  • Acid rain also causes the aluminum to be released into the soil, which makes it difficult for trees to take up water.
  • Trees that are located in mountainous regions at higher elevations, such as spruce or fir trees, are at greater risk because they are exposed to acidic clouds and fog, which contain greater amounts of acid than rain or snow.
  • The acidic clouds and fog strip important nutrients from their leaves and needles.
  • This loss of nutrients makes it easier for infections, insects, and cold weather to damage trees and forests.
  • Sulfur dioxide particles in the air mixed with rain can encourage chronic lung problems, like asthma and bronchitis.
  • It disturbs the balance of these aquatic ecosystems and causes injury or even death of aquatic organisms. Imbalance in aquatic ecosystems has an adverse effect on fishing industry.
  • The acid rain causes slow corrosion of monuments.

Related Questions

Acid rain is any form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. It can also occurs in the form of snow,fog and tiny bits of dry materials that settle on the ground. rotting vegetation and erupting volcanoes release some chemicals that causes acid rain but majority is because of the human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, factories and auto mobiles. Acid rain has many ecological effects, few of which are given below. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion about the effects of acid rain on the environment?