Which pollutant is known to cause acid rain?

Which pollutant is known to cause acid rain?

• A. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
• B. Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
• C. Carbon monoxide (CO)
• D. Ozone (O3)

Answer: (B)

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the correct answer because it undergoes a series of chemical reactions in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of sulfuric acid and other sulfate compounds. When sulfur dioxide is released into the air, it can react with water vapor, oxygen, and other trace chemicals. These reactions result in the conversion of sulfur dioxide into acids that can fall to the ground as acid rain. This acid rain can have various harmful effects on the environment, including damaging plant life, acidifying water bodies, and degrading buildings and monuments. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) also contributes to acid rain by forming nitric acid when it reacts in the atmosphere, but sulfur dioxide is more specifically recognized as a major contributor to the phenomenon. Carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) do not play significant roles in acid rain formation, as they do not convert into acids in the same way as SO2 does.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the correct answer because it undergoes a series of chemical reactions in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of sulfuric acid and other sulfate compounds. When sulfur dioxide is released into the air, it can react with water vapor, oxygen, and other trace chemicals. These reactions result in the conversion of sulfur dioxide into acids that can fall to the ground as acid rain.

This acid rain can have various harmful effects on the environment, including damaging plant life, acidifying water bodies, and degrading buildings and monuments. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) also contributes to acid rain by forming nitric acid when it reacts in the atmosphere, but sulfur dioxide is more specifically recognized as a major contributor to the phenomenon. Carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) do not play significant roles in acid rain formation, as they do not convert into acids in the same way as SO2 does.