Acid Rain Essay

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ACID RAIN 1.) Define Acid Precipitation: Acid precipitation is a term used to describe any precipitation (rain, snow, fog) that has become acidic from reacting with compounds in the atmosphere. Acid precipitation forms when certain pollutants, most importantly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, combine with water in the atmosphere before falling to earth. Acid precipitation has a pH less than 5.6 which is the normal pH of rain. 2.) Name the two main gases that cause acid rain: The two main gases that cause acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides from a variety of sources enter the atmosphere every day. In Canada, the major sources of sulfur dioxide emissions are smelters, and coal-fired generators. Motor vehicles are a major source of nitrogen oxides. While in the atmosphere, these compounds combine with atmospheric water to form acids. The most common acids formed in this manner are sulphuric acid and nitric acid. When mixed with rain, these acids fall as wet deposition (acid rain). Fact: Half the wet sulphate deposition in eastern Canada is estimated to come from the United States, while about ten percent of the deposition in the northeastern United States comes from Canada. 3.) Create a table to compare the following characteristics of the two gases listed in the previous question. Gases | Physical Properties | Sources | Chemicals Reactions That Create the Acids | Sulphur Dioxide SO2 | Qualitative:Sulfur Dioxide is a clear colourless gas. It is a toxic gas with a pungent, irritating smell. Quantitative: Density: 2.63 g/cm³Molar mass: 64.066 g/molBoiling point: -10° C | Burning Coal to generate Electricity Mining and refining of Minerals Smelting Combustion of Fossil Fuels Volcanic Eruptions | Once in the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide reacts with more oxygen to produce sulfur
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