Form Group 3G

4th December 2006

What do you know about acid rain?

Starter Activity

Acid Rain attacks rocks such as chalk, ____marble____ and limestone. This is called _____weathering_____. Acid Rain is formed by___gases___ such as _sulphur_ _dioxide_ and oxides of ___nitrogen__ joining with water in the atmosphere. The gases that form acid rain come from___industry___ and

___car__ __fumes___. Acid Rain damages___trees___ and__plants____. It also pollutes water killing___fish___.

What is acid rain?

• Normal rainwater has a pH of about 5.6, which means it is naturally slightly acidic.

• This natural acidity is due to carbon dioxide which dissolves in rainwater and forms carbonic acid, a weak acid.

Rainwater with a lower pH than normal is called acid rain.

How acid rain forms?

S+02 S02

2S02+02 2S03

S03+H20 H2S04

Volcanoes

Burning coal

How acid rain forms?

N+ ½ O2 NO

2NO + O2 2NO2

NO2 + H20 HNO3

Effects of Acid Rain• Acid rain can increase the

acidity of lakes, dams and streams and cause the death of aquatic life.

• Acid rain can increase the acidity of soil, water and shallow groundwater.

• Acid rain can dammage forests.

• Acid rain erodes buildings

and monuments.

• Acid particles in the air are suspected of contributing to respiratory problems in people.

Effects of Acid Rain

Burning Fossil Fuels

Greenhouse Effect

Water vapour, carbon dioxide,

methane and nitrous oxides.

Example