CHEM 208 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, Glassblowing
19 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
When atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves in water it forms carbonic acid. The acid formed dissociates partially generating small amounts of hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ions formed are responsible for the weakly acidic nature of rain. The acidity (a measure of hydrogen ion concentration) of a solution is conveniently described in terms of ph scale. H2co3 (aq) ph < 7: solution is acidic ph > 7: solution is basic ph = 7: solution is neutral. Based on the concentration of carbonic acid and small amounts of other natural acids, the estimated ph of rain (as well as fog, dew and snow) under normal atmospheric conditions should be around 5. 3. Field measurements in many areas, on the other hand, show much lower ph values (4. 1- 4. 5). Higher acidity (lower ph) is due to the reactions of. Various reactions of these oxides lead to the formation of acids. The dissociation of formed acids generates hydrogen ions and hence higher acidity (or lower ph).
