Natural rainwater has a pH of around 5.6. I believe rain is considered to be "acid rain" when it has a pH of 5.0 or below.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, react in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acids are the primary contributors to the increased acidity of acid rain compared to natural rainwater.
Pure water has a pH of 7.0 (neutral); however, natural, unpolluted rainwater actually has a pH of about 5.6. The acidity of rainwater comes from the natural presence of three substances (CO2, NO, and SO2) found in the troposphere (the lowest layer of the atmosphere). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is present in the greatest concentration and therefore contributes the most to the natural acidity of rainwater. Hope this helps! :)
Acid rain is slightly more acidic (has a lower pH) than normal rain.As an explanation the pHs of common materials (acids and basess) including Acid rain are:Lye 14.0Ammonia water 11.6Eggs 8.0Blood 7.3Distilled water 7.0Saliva 6.0Normal rain 5.7Acid rain 5.2Tomato Juice 4.2Apple Juice 3.0Coke products 2.5 to 4.2Vinegar 2.4
Unpolluted rainwater can be slightly acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which reacts with water to form carbonic acid. This natural acidity of rainwater is typically very mild and not harmful to the environment.
Carbon dioxide dissolves in normal rainwater, forming a weak carbonic acid solution. This process is a natural part of the carbon cycle and helps regulate the acidity of bodies of water.
The compound responsible for the acidity of rainwater and soil is sulfur dioxide (SO2) dissolved in water, which forms sulfuric acid (H2SO4). This process is known as acid rain.
The pH level of rainwater is typically around 5.6, making it slightly acidic. This acidity is due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which forms carbonic acid when dissolved in rainwater.
Acidity in normal rainwater is primarily caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming carbonic acid. Other contributors to acidity can include pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
The average pH of rainwater is around 5.6, making it slightly acidic. This acidity is primarily due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which forms carbonic acid when dissolved in rainwater. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, so a pH below 7 indicates acidity.
Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) releases carbon dioxide as well as sulphur and nitrous oxides. All these will dissolve in clouds and rain which turns the rainwater acidic (acid rain).
sulfur dioxide
The pH of rainwater is normally from 6 - 6.5. Acid rain is rain with a pH of 5 and below.