Acid rain: Use the PowerPoint to fill in the above diagram.
Acid rain is more acidic than normal rain. Because ____________ in the air dissolves in the falling water
to make __________ acid.
It’s a term used for rain that is more ______________ than normal.
Acid rain forms when acidic gases in the air _________________ in the rain.
These gases come from burning __________________.
Substance
unpolluted rain
pH
All of these processes produce acidic gases which cause
acid rain.
1.
car battery acid
2.
acid rain from a
polluted area
acid in your stomach
3.
4.
5.
pure water
The main acidic gases are:
vinegar
• sulphur dioxide (_______________________)
• nitrogen oxides (________________________)
In Humans: Acidic gases in the air can cause ________________problems.
Read this passage and answer the questions in your workbook
Questions to complete in your book.
1. How does acid reach the ground, Both in solid and liquid form?
2. What does pH measure?
3. Can you give examples of anything acidic (in the kitchen or everyday life)?
4. What is the pH of rain wáter before it is affected by acid rain?
5. How does acid rain affect plants and forests?
6. How are marine and aquatic animals affected?
7. How are building and objects damaged?
8. What are some ways humans can reduce acid rain?
Acid rain can appear in many forms. This includes rain, snow and fog that has become more acidic than normal.
Dry deposition includes gases and dust particles . Both wet and dry deposition can be carried by the wind,
sometimes for very long distances.
What is acidity?
Acidic and basic are two ways that we describe chemical compounds. Acidity is measured using a pH scale. A pH
scale runs from zero (the most acidic) to 14 (the most basic ) A substance that is neither basic or acidic is called
"neutral", and this has a pH of 7. Rain normally has a pH of 6.5.
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into
the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen,
and other chemicals to form acid rain.
Human activities are the main cause of acid rain. Power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of
the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, the exhaust from
cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air.
Acid Rain Harms Forests
Acid rain can be extremely harmful to forests. Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients that trees
need to be healthy. The acidic clouds and fog strip important nutrients from their leaves and needles. This loss of
nutrients makes it easier for infections, insects, and cold weather to damage trees and forests.
Acid Rain Damages Lakes and Streams
Acid rain affects the life in the water as well as the life on land. Sea life will die when the water that they swim in
gets to be too acidic. For example, all fish will die when the water goes below a pH of 4.5. Most frogs and insects
that live around water will also die when the water reaches a pH of 4.5.
Crustaceans such as crabs and crayfish have shells made out calcium carbonate. This is same as limestone.
Water that is too acidic can cause calcium carbonate to dissolve. This means that animals with a shell experience
dissolving and weakening of their shells in acidic water. Coral also experiences problems with acidic water and
this can cause coral bleaching.
Aquatic plants will grow the best when the water is a pH between 7.0 and 9.2. If acid rain increase then plants will
lose their leaves and be unable to survive
Acid Rain Damages Buildings and Objects
Acid rain can also damage buildings, statues, rocks and cars. The chemicals found in acid rain can cause paint to
peel and stone statues to begin to appear old and worn down.