Diana García, Andrea Munguía

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Nf8cuvl62Vc
What is it?
Acid Rain is a mixture of wet and dry
deposited materials that have a high amount
of nitric and sulfuric acid.
Sulfuric Acid (H
2
SO
4
)
State: Liquid
Arrangement:
Melting point: - 64ºC
Boiling point: 337ºC
Sulfuric Acid (H
2
SO
4
)
Molecular mass: 98.078
Polarity: Very polar
Acid/base: Acid
Oxidation number: +1
Nitric Acid (HNO
3
)
State: Liquid
Arrangement:
Melting point: - 42ºC
Boiling point: 83ºC
Nitric Acid (HNO
3
)
Molecular mass: 63.0128 g/mol
Polarity: Polar
Acid/base: Primarily an acid
Oxidation number:
The problem
Ìt causes health problems to people,
animals, and other living things. Acid rain
was discovered in 1853, it was not until the
late 1960s that scientists began widely
observing and studying the phenomenon
Problem Explanation
Rain is naturally slightly acidic. Just by falling
into the ground, it bonds with CO
2
(carbon
dioxide), and forms H
2
CO
3
(carbonic acid). A
weak acid, giving natural rain a pH of 6.
Problem Explanation
SO
2
arises from the burning of coal, mixes with
H
2
O. And creates H
2
SO
4
(sulfuric acid)
2NO
2
arises from the pipes of motor vehicles,
mixes with H
2
O, and creates HNO
3
(nitric acid).
Problem Explanation
When we burn fossil fuels, much more strong
acids get into our rain to create acid rain with a
pH as low as 3. Which is 1000 times more
acidic.
Effects (humans)
Acid rain does not affect the body directly but the
damaging comes in human's health. Air pollution
can harm the lungs causing respiratory diseases
like asthma or bronchitis.
Effects (forests)
The ground of the forests absorbs nutrients for
the trees to be healthy, but acid rain produces
aluminium which makes it difficult for trees to
take up water.
Effects (lakes)
The normal pH of the lakes is of 6.5 and
acid rain has caused them to have lower pH
... and more level of ..
.. aluminium which can be
.. deadly to some species.
Effects (infrastructure)
Acid rain can also affect buildings, statues,
monuments, and cars. The
chemicals in acid rain can
cause paint to start peeling
or stone to appear old or
deteriorated.
Future
The future of acid rain is not yet assured
because Congress created a campaign to
reduce acid rain, so when people start to
take action the results will be shown and
then we will know.
Future
People have already started to clean fuels
and are still working and generate electricity
with fewer emissions. So cleaner fuels and
renewable sources of energy will purify the
environment.
Solution
Since energy creates large amounts of pollutants,
we need to conserve energy. For example:
- Turn off electronics when you're not using them
- Limit use of air conditioning
- Buy equipments that use less electricity
Also, driving produce a lot of nitrogen oxides. To
help cut down on air pollution from cars, you can
carpool, take public transport, use bikes or walk.
Unanswered Questions
How much does acid rain affect in México?
Ìnteractive Game
http://www.epa.
gov/acidrain/education/site_students/crossw
ord.html
Bibliography
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf8cuvl62Vc
- http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what/
- http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/whyharmful.html
- http://www2.gsu.edu/~mstnrhx/EnviroBio%20Projects/AcidRain/table.htm
- http://www.wolframalpha.com/
- http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/acid_anim.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfr64zoBTAQ
- http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/acidrain/future.html
- http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/reducing/