0
Natural rain is slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide which can be taken out by aquatic plants and is at equilibrium with natural buffering compounds and the atmospheric levels.
Acid rain from pollution is much more acidic and the pH is several units lower. Remember that each pH unit increase is a tenfold concentration increase in the H+ ions. Acid rain is created by smog trapped in the atmosphere!
The importance of this is that rain that is more acidic than normal, by pollution for example, would affect plantlife adversely, can increase the PH of the soil they grow on and therefore make it unfavorable to plant life that cannot stand such high levels of acidity.
In addition, acid rain can cause erosion of natural rock, buildings, cars and the like, causing breakdowns and increasing maintenance costs.
Acid rain entering the sewers and rivers can also change the PH levels of the water, possibly causing harm to fish, insects and plantlife there. Fortunately, the amounts of acid rain required to meaningfully affect the sea are too large to measure.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe hydrologic cycle involves a process of natural water distillation; essentially, rain water is distilled water, and distilled water is naturally acidic usually with a pH slightly less than 7 since it absorbs carbon dioxide(CO2) which reacts slowly with water to give the bicarbonate and hydronium ions.
When we burn fuel (containing carbohydrates and some non metallic compounds), the non metallic gases are released. These non metallic gases are acidic, example= CO2, SO2 (in sulfur contents), NO(in nitrogen content), or P2O5(In phosphorus content). These gases get combined to produce weak solution of acids like carbonic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, etc. mainly Carbonic acid [H2CO3]. Therefore the rain water becomes acidic.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoWhen exposed to air, water will react with carbon dioxide to form small amounts of carbonic acid, so yes, rain naturally contains SOME acids. BUT air pollution increases this acidity, hence causes Acid Rain.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoYes, rain absorbs carbon dioxide which forms carbonic acid. That is the same reason that carbonated water has a low pH.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoNo. The "acid" is caused by pollution and other harmful gases in the atmosphere.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why is rain not naturally acidic?
because the rain will not be drinkable, false
What makes rain naturally acidic?
Carbon Dioxide
Is rain water acidic?
All rain water is slightly acidic.
How sulphur containing compound of coal is responsible for acid rain?
Burning fuel releases gases and particles. When fossil fuels are burnt (coal), Carbon Dioxide & water vapour is released into the atmosphere. Sulphur impurities are also released. This dissolves into water vapour and hence makes the rain more acidic. Rain, however, is naturally acidic as carbon dioxide dissolves into it.
Is rain acidic or alkaline?
Unpolluted rain should be neutral but many pollutants are acidic (oxides, dioxides and trioxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen in particular). These can become dissolved in rainwater it cause it to become acidic.
Why is rain not naturally acidic?
because the rain will not be drinkable, false
What pH is Rain Naturally?
Slightly acidic
What makes rain naturally acidic?
Carbon Dioxide
What is the difference between normal rain and acid rain since normal rain is acidic anyway?
Normal rain is slightly acidic but it occurs naturally, as oppose to acid rain caused by air pollution
Is rain water acidic?
All rain water is slightly acidic.
Why do rocks get worn down by the rain?
Rocks can be gradually dissolved by naturally acidic rainwater.
Is there acid in fresh water?
rain water is naturally slightly acidic im not sure about fresh water.
Why isn't all rain called acid rain?
Not all rain is acidic enough to be called so.
What are the types of acid rain and where do these come from?
All rain is naturally slightly acidic from the dissolved carbon dioxide in it. The enhanced acid rain contains oxides of nitrogen and sulfur that combine with the water to form acids and lower the pH eve further.
Are acid rain and normal rain both acidic?
Acid rain is more acidic than normal rain. This is immediately obvious from the term.Acid rain is neither gaseous or radioactive. It simply has a lower pH.
What is a cause of acid rain?
Although rain is naturally acidic (pH 5.6), what we consider to be acid rain occurs from polluntants, mainly sulfiric and nitric acid. They are given off by factories and cars.
Does acid rain fall every time it rains?
No. While all rain is slightly acidic,it is only considered acid rain if it is far more acidic than normal.
