Acid Rain
Part of the Acids and Bases section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 25 of 30.
Rain is naturally about pH 5.6 (dissolved CO₂). Acid rain reaches pH 4 or below.
Sulfur in coal burns to SO₂, which becomes sulfuric acid:
2SO₂ + O₂ + 2H₂O → 2H₂SO₄
Engines make NO₂, which becomes nitric acid.
Acid rain attacks limestone and harms forests and lakes. Chimney filters and catalytic converters cut it.
Challenge
In polluted air, sulfur dioxide from a power station reacts with oxygen and rain to make sulfuric acid. Balance the equation.
Try it yourself
Equation balancerBalance the equation
SO2O2H2OH2SO4
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.