CH 106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Acid Rain, Nitrogen Cycle, Nitric Acid
11 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Why is normal rain acidic? (different than acid rain) The carbon dioxide in the air mixes with the rainwater and forms carbonic acid (h2co3) inside the rainwater (same as fizz in soda), it is a very weak acid. Rainwater in the united states ranges from ph of 4. 3-5. 3. The ph 4. 3 rainwater is 10x more acidic and is found more on the eastern side. Areas with industries have more co2 pollution and therefore more acidic rainwater. They have more effect on rainwater acidity than carbon dioxide. When sulfur oxides mix with rainwater, it creates sulfuric acid (h2so4) We have high amounts of nitrates in areas with acid rain (when nitrogen oxides react with rainwater it creates nitric acid hno3) Both sulfuric and nitric acid are very strong acid. Sulfur is a pollutant of burning coal (used in metal factories) Carbon is pollution of combustion engines (cars), factories.
