Question

Name the air pollutants that contribute to acid rain

Answer 1

Acid rain: Rainwater containing dissolved oxides of Sulphur$\left(\mathrm{S}\right)$ and Nitrogen$\left(\mathrm{N}\right)$ is called acid rain.

• Burning of coal, petrol, and diesel produces Carbon dioxide$\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$, Carbon monoxide$\left(\mathrm{CO}\right)$, Oxides of Sulphur$\left({\mathrm{SO}}_2\right)$, oxides of Nitrogen$\left({\mathrm{NO}}_2\right)$, and unburnt hydrocarbons.
• All oxides escape into the atmosphere.
• The oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur present in the air dissolve in rainwater to produce Sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ and Nitric acid $\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$

Therefore$\left({\mathrm{SO}}_2\right)$, $\left({\mathrm{NO}}_2\right)$ are pollutants that cause acid rain.