Science question...???

Question

I am trying to understand the following concept for my science class...
By referring to a specific pollutant, describe the way that acid rain gets made in the atmosphere using a word equation.
Thank you ahead for everyone that answers...it would be so helpful to me...

Answer 1

Sulfur from electric generating plants, for example is a pollutant in the form of SO2 or sulfur dioxide. Further oxidation in air and reaction with water forms sulfuric acid and sulfurous acids.

For example, SO2 + H2O --> H2S03

These acids are 'lingering" in the clouds and when the rains come, the rainwater falling on leaves, particularly on pine needles is so acidic as to destoy the leaves and needles. Now, plants need the leaves to manufacture their own food. Without them, they get "sick" and eventually die, if acid rain continues.

Answer 2

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_Rain
"Acid rain (or more accurately acid precipitation)[1] occurs when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere, undergo chemical transformations and are absorbed by water droplets in clouds. The droplets then fall to earth as rain, snow, mist, dry dust, hail, or sleet. This can increase the acidity of the soil, and affect the chemical balance of lakes and streams.[2] The term "acid rain" is sometimes used more generally to include all forms of acid deposition - both wet deposition, where acidic gases and particles are removed by rain or other precipitation, and dry deposition removal of gases and particles to the Earth's surface in the absence of precipitation.[3] Acid rain is defined as any type of precipitation with a pH that is unusually low.[4] Dissolved carbon dioxide dissociates to form weak carbonic acid giving a pH of approximately 5.6 at typical atmospheric concentrations of CO2.[5] Therefore a pH of less than 5.6 has sometimes been used as a definition of acid rain.[6] However, natural sources of acidity mean that in remote areas, rain has a pH which is between 4.5 and 5.6 with an average value of 5.0 and so rain with a pH of less than 5 is a more appropriate definition.[7] The US EPA says, "Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that affects large parts of the US and Canada" [8] Acid rain accelerates weathering in carbonate rocks and accelerates building weathering. It also contributes to acidification of rivers, streams, and forest damage at high elevations. When the acid builds up in rivers and streams it can kill fish."

Sulfur Dioxide + Nitrogen Oxides, mixed in clouds with the water droplets = Acid Rain.

This is the basic "equation" I leave it to you to find a way to include the ph values. If you read the article more then you will see a good illustration and a list of various chemical reactions that create acid rain. The arrow symbol means "and this leads to." It is an equals to sign, under most conditions.