Discuss the process or the production of acid rain?

Answer 1

What causes acid rain?
Acid deposition is a general term that includes more than simply acid rain. Acid deposition primarily results from the transformation of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides into dry or moist secondary pollutants such as sulphuric acid (H2SO4), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and nitric acid (HNO3). The transformation of SO2 and NOx to acidic particles and vapours occurs as these pollutants are transported in the atmosphere over distances of hundreds to thousands of kilometers. Acidic particles and vapours are deposited via two processes - wet and dry deposition. Wet deposition is acid rain, the process by which acids with a pH normally below 5.6 are removed from the atmosphere in rain, snow, sleet or hail. Dry deposition takes place when particles such as fly ash, sulphates, nitrates, and gases (such as SO2 and NOx), are deposited on, or absorbed onto, surfaces. The gases can then be converted into acids when they contact water.

Pure water is neutral with a pH of 7. Many gases are soluble in water. Some of these gases, most notably CO2 nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), form acids when they dissolve in water. Rain water falling through a atmosphere containing these gases will absorb the gases and become more acidic. This is what we call acid rain. The nitrogen and sulfur oxides from car exhaust and industry are the most serious causes of acid rain, but it is dangerous to generate those gases. Carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid in water, which also makes water slightly acidic.

Acid rain occurs when oxides of sulfur and nitrogen combine with atmospheric moisture to yield sulfuric and nitric acids. After this transformation occurs the acids can be carried long distances from the source where they are deposited as rain. Acid precipitation may also come in the form of snow, fog, or a dry form of precipitation.

Answer 2

nitric and nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides, are rlsead into the air, usually as a by product of burning coal.

The oxides combine with water in the atmosphere to produce acids which are mixed in with rain.

One reaction example is:

NO2 + H2O == HNO3