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Questions and Answers
What is the pH range of acid rain?
What is the pH range of acid rain?
Acid rain is formed primarily from the dissolution of carbon dioxide in rainwater.
Acid rain is formed primarily from the dissolution of carbon dioxide in rainwater.
False
What are the main pollutants that contribute to the formation of acid rain?
What are the main pollutants that contribute to the formation of acid rain?
Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides
The process of nitrogen dioxide interacting with water to form nitric acid is represented by the equation: 4NO₂(g) + O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) ⇌ ________________.
The process of nitrogen dioxide interacting with water to form nitric acid is represented by the equation: 4NO₂(g) + O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) ⇌ ________________.
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Match the following acids with their formation process:
Match the following acids with their formation process:
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Study Notes
Acid Rain
- Acid rain is precipitation with a pH lower than normal rain (typically below 5.6)
- It forms when oxides of sulfur and nitrogen dissolve in rainwater.
- Natural sources of these oxides include volcanoes, forest fires, and bacterial decomposition.
Formation of Acid Rain: Sulfur Oxides
- Sulfur reacts with oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- Further reaction with oxygen produces sulfur trioxide (SO3)
- SO3 reacts with water to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
Formation of Acid Rain: Nitrogen Oxides
- Nitrogen reacts with oxygen at high temperatures to form nitric oxide (NO)
- NO reacts further with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
- NO2 then reacts with water to form nitric acid (HNO3).
Greenhouse Effect
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The greenhouse effect is the heating of the Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases.
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These gases trap some of the sun's energy and prevent it from escaping into space.
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This results in higher temperatures in the Earth's atmosphere.
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Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
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Deforestation and fossil fuel combustion increase atmospheric greenhouse gases.
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This contributes to global warming.
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Description
Test your knowledge on acid rain's formation and the greenhouse effect. Learn how sulfur and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain and understand the impact of greenhouse gases on Earth's temperature. This quiz covers essential environmental science concepts.
