Question

Explain the circumstances leading to acid rain. How does acid rain affect us?

Answer 1

Acid rain is caused by burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum products which releases a variety of pollutants such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These pollutants react with water vapours present in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively. These acids come down with the rain, thereby resulting in acid rain.

Effects of acid rain:
1. Acid rain causes soil pollution by increasing acidity of soil, and damages crops.
2. It reacts with building materials like marble and corrodes them. Development of yellowish colour on the marble of the famous Taj Mahal is an effect of acid rain.