Formation of acid rain (1 Viewer)

[Doogsy]

Could anyone give me a detailed process of the formation of acid rain (both So2 and NOx if possible) including equations
Thanks

 

[sig]

Acid Rain – Rain with pH < 5

Sulfur Dioxide and Oxides of Nitrogen in the atmosphere are soluble in water and thus will dissolve in atmospheric moisture. These gases will form acidic solutions (sulfuric and nitric acid) which are effectively acid rain.

1. SO2(g) + H2O(l) --> H2SO3(aq) 2. 2H2SO3(aq) + O2(g) --> 2H2SO4(aq)
2NO2(g) + H2O(l) --> HNO3(aq) + HNO2(aq)

Effects include:
• Lower pH in water systems endangering marine inhabitants of the water system
• Lowers soil pH as well as damaging leaves/roots.
• Accelerates corrosion of structures made from carbonates such as limestone
CaCO3(s) + H2SO4 --> Ca2+ + SO42- + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

 

[Doogsy]

thanks, thats just what i needed

 

[aim54x]

sig has pretty much coverd it

 

[bloodysunday]

SO2 comes from impurities in petrol, coal power stations, volcanic eruptions and the extraction of some metals such as zinc:

ZnS + O2 => Zn + SO2

SO2 reacts slowly with O2 to form SO3:

2SO2 + O2 <=> 2SO3

SO3 is soluble in water and therefore gets washed out by rain, forming H2SO4:

SO3 + H2O => H2SO4

----

NO and NO2 come from combustion of fossil fuels and lightning strikes - nitrogen needs a high amount of energy to bond with oxygen:

N2 + O2 => 2NO

N2 + 2O2 => 2NO2 - OR - 2NO + O2 => 2NO2

NO2 is soluble in water and so forms HNO3 with rain:

2NO2 + H2O => HNO2 + HNO3

Hope that helped a bit

 

[CM_Tutor]

Bloodysunday, ZnS reacts with oxygen to make ZnO, not Zn.

That is:

2ZnS + 3O₂ ---> 2ZnO + 2SO₂

By contrast, CuO reacts as you suggest. ie:

CuS + O₂ ---> Cu + SO₂

 

[bloodysunday]

ahhhh, i thought i got it mixed up. damn notes... thanks for that

 

[Paroissien]

I find it easier just to put S (in compounds) + O2 ---> SO2
It's always worked for me

 

[hunghing]

SO2 comes from impurities in petrol, coal power stations, volcanic eruptions and the extraction of some metals such as zinc:



SO2 reacts slowly with O2 to form SO3:

2SO2 + O2 <=> 2SO3

SO3 is soluble in water and therefore gets washed out by rain, forming H2SO4:

SO3 + H2O => H2SO4

I don't think that's right. If you do Industrial for option, you'll see that they don't react SO3 with water to form H2SO4. That's because SO3 forms a mist when it reacts with water because it heats up too much.

IMO the reaction for the sulfur part is just
SO2 + H2O --> H2SO3
2H2SO3 + O2 --> 2H2SO4 (requires catalyst)

To stay on the safe side I think it's better to leave the 2nd equation out because H2SO4 doesn't occur naturally.