Why does acid rain exist
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Why does acid rain exist
Why does acid rain exist. Is it because of air pollution, and what can be down about it?
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Acid rain occurs when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air, from vehicles and factories, and they rise up into the atmosphere to mix with chemicals like water and oxygen to form this acidic pollutant. Typical acid rain has a pH level 4.0.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Samin Kabir wrote:Why does acid rain exist. Is it because of air pollution, and what can be down about it?
Acid rain exists because of chemical reactions that release compounds like CO2, SO2, and NO2 into the atmosphere. These react with water in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds like H2CO3, which might then condense and fall back onto earth. This condensation is acid rain. So, anything that releases these compounds into the atmosphere creates acid rain, like driving a car (or even breathing)!
I suppose, then, that it would be because of air pollution, because the above compounds tend to be pollutants.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
It exists because of naturally existing chemicals in the atmosphere (CO2,SO2) forming acids in the presence of water, making the rain slightly acidic.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
I agree with everyone, that acid rain exists due to CO2, SO2, and NO2 in the atmosphere forming acids upon reacting with water molecules (i.e. carbonic acid, sulfurous acid, etc.). Oftentimes, these gases result due to the burning of substances. For instance, SO2 is produced by the burning of coal. When these acids form what is called "acidic rain" and are pretty harmful to the environment. For instance, when excess CO2, and consequently carbonic acid, is in the blood, it can sometimes result in death.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Acid rain can be caused by naturally existing chemicals in the atmosphere, but is primarily caused from the burning of coal or fossil fuels which releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the air. These then react with H20 already present in the atmosphere which produces the acidic rain that can be harmful to the environment.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Acid rain is mainly caused by the introduction of high levels of CO2 and sulfuric compounds being released from the burning of fossil fuels.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Samin Kabir wrote:Why does acid rain exist. Is it because of air pollution, and what can be down about it?
Since acid rain is caused by fossil fuels, we could reduce our carbon footprint by using renewable energy resources, such a solar, hydroelectric, and wind power.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Acid rain largely exists because of the effect of fossil fuels and other air pollutants. When we release these air pollutants, they react with water to create acids, which lowers the pH of the rain. Anything that reduces the production of CO2, SO2, or NO2 (which are the main pollutants) would reduce the presence of acid rain.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
C02, which is always present in air and continuously being committed by countless sources, is an acid that can lower the pH of rain and cause acid rain. Other molecules that find their way into the atmosphere, like SO2 from the combustion of coal, has the same effect to even greater extents.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
When fossil fuels etc release CO2, SO2, and NO2 they react with the hydrogen in water to create acids such as H2SO4 and H2CO3 which is what lowers the pH of water causing acid rain
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Acid rain is caused by pollutants releasing CO2, SO2, and NO2, which interact with h2o to form acids.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Apparently, power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels. Also vehicles we use also release nitrogen oxides and sulfur in the air. These substances mix and react with water and oxygen to create acid rain.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
H2O in the air reacts with SO2, CO2, and NO2 to form acids that then dissociate and lower the pH of the water. It is because of pollutants, and some things that can be done is to lower CO2 emissions and use clean coal instead of dirty coal.
Re: Why does acid rain exist
Earliest recorded case of acid rain in the USA was in 1972 in Hubbard Valley. The rain there was measured to have a pH of around 4.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Acid rain is a result of air pollution, yes. This is because the gases that are released such as SO2 and CO2 react with the water in the atmosphere to produce acid rain.
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Re: Why does acid rain exist
Molecules released in the atmosphere such as CO2, SO3, and NO2 react with H2O in the atmosphere and make the 'solution' in clouds more acid. When this solution condenses it form the acidic rain drops.
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