chemical+reactions+and+processes+of+acid+rain


 * //Chemical reactions and processes of acid rain// **


 * Videos**

Description of acid rain || media type="custom" key="24156726" Gases produced by acid rain ||
 * media type="custom" key="24156644"


 * Common misconceptions:**
 * We can't stop the formation of acid rain.
 * Pure rain water has a pH of 7.
 * Acid rain no longer occurs.


 * Interesting facts:**
 * Acid rain occurs when acidic oxides of sulfur and nitrogen dissolve in rain water to form acids. The major sources of these oxides is human activity (mainly coal, oil and gas fired power stations). If we reduced/stop these emissions, then acid rain will reduce/stop.
 * Rain water has a pH of 6, because water dissolves carbon dioxide in the air to produce carbonic acid.
 * Coal fired power stations at the moment are getting more attention in the media because of their impacts of human-induced climate change. However, acid rain is still a problem, particularly in Europe and the USA.
 * Solid sulfur burns in oxygen to form sulfur dioxide. In the presence of sunlight, sulfur dioxide is further oxidised to form sulfur trioxide. These gases react in rain water to form sulfurous acid and sulfuric acid respectively.
 * Nitrogen gas burns in oxygen to form nitric oxide. At lower temperatures, nitric oxide readily reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is an acidic oxide that dissolves readily in rain water to form a mixture of nitrous acid and nitric acid.


 * Resources:**
 * Acid Rain Educational Resources from the US EPA.
 * Acid Rain Lesson Plan from the US National Parks Service.
 * Australia advances - acid rain from CSIRO.