Question

How is sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen produced? How does the release of these compounds contribute to air pollution?

Answer 1

• Nitrogen and Sulphur oxides are produced by burning of fossil fuels. These oxides dissolve in rainwater to produce acid rain.
• $\mathrm{Sulphur}\mathrm{dioxide}$ (${\mathrm{SO}}_2$) and nitrogen dioxide $\left({\mathrm{NO}}_2\right)$ are both parts of smog and acid rain. $\mathrm{Sulphur}\mathrm{dioxide}$ comes from the burning of coal and oil. It is very smelly. The main sources of $\left({\mathrm{SO}}_2\right)$ are power plants. Nitrogen dioxide comes from the burning of fossil fuels (like gasoline). The main sources of $\left({\mathrm{NO}}_2\right)$ are cars, trucks, and power plants.