Acid rain is a natural process when nitric acid or sulphuric acid compounds fall from the atmosphere in the form of rain. Main cause for the acid rain is the air pollution.
Let’s see, what actually happens in the acid rain formation process.
Gases released out from industries, vehicle exhaust, and other smoke in the atmosphere contains sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. When these sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere comes in contact with the water molecules present in the atmosphere they cause the reaction which produce acids which then falls in the form of rain called as acid rain.
Following is the step by step reaction showing the formation of Nitric acid rain:
N₂ + O₂ → 2NO
(Nitrogen) (Oxygen) (Nitric oxide)
2NO + ½ O₂ → NO₂
(Nitric oxide) (Oxygen) (Nitrogen dioxide)
3NO₂ + H₂O → 2HNO3+ NO
(Nitric oxide) (Water) (Nitric acid) (Nitrogen oxide)
Harmful effects of acid rain: It may cause neurological disorders in human being by affecting their nervous system, respiratory system and digestive system.
Acid rains destroy the fertility of soil by inhibiting the activity of symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria.
It severely damages forest ecosystem in different ways.
The acid rains makes the river and other water bodies acidic which has bad effect on aquatic life.
Acid rain causes extensive damage of to the buildings and monuments made from marble, limestone, slate, and mortar.
Questions and Answer
1.) What is acid rain?
Answer: Acid rain can be defined as the natural process when nitric acid or sulphuric acid compounds in the atmosphere falls on the ground in the form of rain called as acid rain.
2.) Which acids are formed in acidic rain?
Answer: Nitric acid (NO₃) and Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄).
3.) State the harmful effects of acid rain?
Answer: Acid rain damages forest ecosystem, affects soil fertility, causes water pollution.The acid rains makes the river and other water bodies acidic which effect on aquatic life.