Acid Rain
Overview
Rain is meant to clean the air, but when we burn fuels that contain sulfur, and run engines hot enough to make the nitrogen in the air react, the rain itself turns sour. Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen drift up into the clouds, react with oxygen and water vapour, and come back down as weak sulfuric and nitric acids. Carried on the wind, this acid rain can fall hundreds of kilometres from the chimney or exhaust that produced it, which is why it is a problem that crosses borders.
In this lesson you will learn exactly how acid rain forms, from the gases at the source to the acids that fall to Earth. You will study its effects on lakes and the fish in them, on soils, crops and forests, and on the very stone of our buildings. Finally you will examine the strategies used to manage it, from cleaning the gases leaving a power station to fitting catalytic converters to cars, and learn to weigh their benefits against their limitations.
Objectives
- 4.3.1 Describe the formation of acid rain, limited to: (a) sulfur dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels which contain sulfur compounds (b) sulfur dioxide from volcanic gases (c) oxides of nitrogen when nitrogen from the atmosphere reacts with oxygen in the high temperature of vehicle engines (d) sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen react with oxygen and water vapour in the atmosphere to form acid rain.
- 4.3.2 Describe the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) acidification of bodies of water (b) reduced fish populations (c) effect on aquatic food webs (d) acidification of soils (e) damage to crops and vegetation: plant defoliation and reduced crop yields (f) damage to buildings.
- 4.3.3 Describe strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) flue-gas desulfurisation to remove sulfur dioxide by reacting with calcium carbonate or calcium oxide (b) catalytic converters to remove oxides of nitrogen (c) transport policies.
- 4.3.4 Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Acid Rain. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which two gases are the main cause of acid rain? A. Carbon dioxide and methane B. Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen C. Oxygen and nitrogen D. CFCs and ozone Answer: B
- Oxides of nitrogen that contribute to acid rain are mainly formed: A. In the high temperatures of vehicle engines B. By photosynthesis in plants C. When CFCs break down D. In flooded rice fields Answer: A
- Which acids are formed when acid rain gases react in the atmosphere? A. Hydrochloric and carbonic acids B. Sulfuric and nitric acids C. Ethanoic and citric acids D. Phosphoric and boric acids Answer: B
- Flue-gas desulfurisation reduces acid rain by removing: A. Oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts B. Carbon dioxide from the air C. Sulfur dioxide from power-station gases D. Ozone from the stratosphere Answer: C
- Which of these is an impact of acid rain? A. A larger ozone hole B. Acidification of lakes and rivers C. Higher levels of argon in the air D. Cooling of the oceans Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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