What is acid rain?
Acid rain is a form of precipitation that is highly acidic, meaning that it has a low pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is considered acidic, and anything above 7 is considered alkaline. The pH of normal rain is about 5.6, which is slightly acidic. However, acid rain can have a pH as low as 2.4, which is 100 times more acidic than normal rain.
Acid rain is caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These gases are released from power plants, factories, and vehicles. When these gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere, they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acids then fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or fog.
What are the effects of acid rain?
Acid rain can have a number of negative effects on the environment. It can damage forests, lakes, and streams. It can also corrode buildings and other structures. Acid rain can also have a negative impact on human health. It can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
How can we reduce acid rain?
There are a number of things that we can do to reduce acid rain. We can reduce our emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. We can also switch to cleaner sources of energy, such as solar and wind power. We can also plant trees, which help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions about acid rain
- What are the causes of acid rain?
Acid rain is caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These gases are released from power plants, factories, and vehicles. When these gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere, they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acids then fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or fog.
- What are the effects of acid rain?
Acid rain can have a number of negative effects on the environment. It can damage forests, lakes, and streams. It can also corrode buildings and other structures. Acid rain can also have a negative impact on human health. It can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
- How can we reduce acid rain?
There are a number of things that we can do to reduce acid rain. We can reduce our emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. We can also switch to cleaner sources of energy, such as solar and wind power. We can also plant trees, which help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Multiple choice questions about acid rain
-
Acid rain is caused by the emission of:
(a) Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
(b) Carbon dioxide and methane
(c) Ozone and CFCs
(d) All of the above -
The effects of acid rain include:
(a) Damage to forests, lakes, and streams
(b) Corrosion of buildings and other structures
(c) Negative impact on human health
(d) All of the above -
How can we reduce acid rain?
(a) Reduce our emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
(b) Switch to cleaner sources of energy, such as solar and wind power
(c) Plant trees, which help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
(d) All of the above