Acid Rain: Nitrogen Oxides & Sulfur Dioxide Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

Where does the sulfur dioxide produced when some hydrocarbon fuels burn come from?

Sulfur impurities in the fuel, which are oxidised to sulfur dioxide during combustion.

What happens when sulfur dioxide dissolves in rain water?

It forms an acidic solution (sulfuric/sulfurous acid), producing acid rain.

State three problems caused by acid rain.

It kills trees and plants, makes lakes acidic so fish die, and corrodes metals and erodes limestone buildings and statues.

How are oxides of nitrogen formed when fuels are burned in engines?

The high temperature makes nitrogen and oxygen from the air react together.

True or false? Oxides of nitrogen from car engines come from nitrogen impurities in the fuel.

False. They form from nitrogen and oxygen in the air reacting at the high temperature inside the engine.

Which two pollutant gases from burning fuels cause acid rain?

Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen.