Question

Which air pollutant could cause rain to be acidic?

• A. Dust particles from cement Factories
• B. Insecticides from crop sprays
• C. Smoke from wood fires
• D. Sulphur dioxide from coal-fired power stations

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Sulphur dioxide from coal-fired power stations

Hint: Air pollution - Acid rain

The correct option is D: Sulphur dioxide from coal-fired power stations.

1. Sulphur dioxide is released in large quantities from coal-fire-powered stations.
2. It enters the atmosphere and gets oxidized into sulphuric acid.
3. The sulphuric acid formed, dissolves with rainwater during rain and thereby causes acid rain.

Option A:

Dust particles from cement factories are injurious to humans and are air pollutants but they do not cause acid rain.

Option B:

Insecticides from crop sprays cause biomagnification, eutrophication, and soil pollution, not acid rain.

Option C:

Smoke from wood fires consists of gases but none of them is oxidized into acids.
Sulphur dioxide from coal-fired power stations air pollutants could cause rain to be acidic.