1a. Coal-fired plants release SOx which reacts with water to form sulfuric acid. These many molecules of sulfuric acid forms tiny droplets of aerosols that do not absorb sunlight but instead reflect the sunlight, reducing visibility.
1b. pH of natural rainwater is approximately 5.3. Hence, the pH of the average rainfall in Mammoth Cave National Park should be approximately 4.3.
2. NOx and SOx are main contributors of acid rain.
2a. By hanging your laundry outside to dry, this reduces the electricity consumption as the electronic dryer is not used. Hence, less energy is needed to be generated from power plants, resulting in burning of less fossil fuels such as coal. Less SOx and NOx are produced, reducing acid rain formation.
2b. Less usage of automobiles will reduce consumption of fossil fuels hence reduce emissions of NOx from automobile vehicles.
2c. Same amount of energy is required to run full and small loads. Running dishwaters and washing machines with small loads will not optimise the energy usage. Reduce frequency of running dishwaters and washing machines will reduce the energy needed to be generated from power plants, hence less SOx and NOx will be produces.
2d. Adding additional insulation will reduce the heat loss of hot water to surroundings. Hence, less energy will be needed to maintain the hot temperature of water heaters and pipes, decreasing production of NOx and SOx from power plants.
2e. Consuming local grown goods will reduce the need for transportation of imported goods across further distances. Thus, less emissions (NOx) as there is less usage of transportation vehicles.
3a. Acids:
- Hydrochloric acid, HCl.
- Sulfuric acid, H2SO4.
- Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH.
- Nitric acid, HNO3.
- Phosphoric acid, H3PO4.
Bases:
- Sodium hydroxide, NaOH.
- Potassium hydroxide, KOH.
- Barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2.
- Lithium hydroxide, LiOH.
- Calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2.
3b. Acids: Sour taste, turns blue litmus paper red, corrosive
Bases: Slippery feel, bitter, turns red litmus paper blue.
4. Acid rain can be caused by a few factors:
- Pollutants such as SOx and NOx are produced from places such as power stations and oil refineries.
- Harmful emissions such as NOx from automobiles.
- Open burning of waste materials
The pollutants mentioned above dissolve in rainbow to produce acid rain.
Apart from the factors mentioned above, slash and burn from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia may contribute to haze and acid rain in Singapore. This is because pollutants such as NOx and SOx which build up in Indonesia are transported to Singapore under favourable wind conditions.