What are the factors that contribute to the formation of acid rain?
Scientists have discovered that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of acid rain. The main chemicals in air pollution that create acid rain are sulfur dioxide (S02) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Acid rain usually forms high in the clouds where sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen and oxidants. This mixture forms a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these reactions. Rainwater, snow, fog and other forms of precipitation containing those mild solutions of sulfuric and nitric acids fall to earth as acid rain. Rain does not account for all of the acidity that falls back to earth from pollutants. About one-half of the acidity in the atmosphere falls back to earth due to dry deposition as gases and dry particles. The wind blows these acidic particles and gases onto buildings, cars, homes and trees. In some instances, the gases and particles can eat away the things on which they settle. Dry de
Scientists have discovered that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of acid rain. The main chemicals in air pollution that create acid rain are sulfur dioxide (S02) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Acid rain usually forms high in the clouds where sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen and oxidants. This mixture forms a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these reactions. Rainwater, snow, fog and other forms of precipitation containing those mild solutions of sulfuric and nitric acids fall to earth as acid rain. Rain does not account for all of the acidity that falls back to earth from pollutants. About one-half of the acidity in the atmosphere falls back to earth due to dry deposition as gases and dry particles. The wind blows these acidic particles and gases onto buildings, cars, homes and trees. In some instances, the gases and particles can eat away the things on which they settle. Dry de
