1a. What is the connection between coal-fired plants and poor visibility?
Coal-fired plants releases sulfur dioxide, dust and smoke. These particles are responsible for the poor visibility.
b. The NPCA reported ” the average rainfall in Mammoth Cave National Park is 10 times more acidic than natural.” From this information and that in your text, estimate the pH of rainfall in the park.
Normal rain has pH range of 5-6. So, if the rainfall is 10 times more acidic it means that the estimated pH range of the rainfall in the park is 4-5
2. Here are examples of what an individual might do to reduce acid rain. For each, explain connection to producing acid rain.
a. Hang your laundry to dry it.
Hanging laundry to dry requires less energy compared to using a clothes dryer. It helps to cut down electricity usage and reduce the amount burning coal.
b. Walk, bike, or take public transportation to work.
It reduces the amount of gasoline used. Less NOx emissions from cars/vehicles
c. Avoid running dishwashers and washing machines with small loads.
Less electricity usage. Cut down the amount of coal burnt to produce energy
d. Add additional insulation on hot water heater and pipes.
Trap heat. Reduce the amount of energy used to generate heat. Hence reduce the production of NO.
e. Buy locally grown produce and locally produced food.
Reduce the transportation of goods. Less NOx emission as lesser fuel used.
3.Give names and chemical formulas for five acids and five bases.
Acids
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Hydrobromic acid (HBr)
Nitric acid (HNO3)
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
Lithium hydroxide (LiOH)
Bases
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)
Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)
b. Name three observable properties generally associated with acids and bases.
Acid tastes sour, turns blue litmus paper red. Bases taste bitter, turns red litmus paper blue, and have a slippery feel in water.
4. The concerns of acid rain vary across the globe. Many countries in North America and Europe have websites dealing with acid rain. Either search to locate one (”Canada, acid rain”) or use these links to websites in Canada, the UK, or Europe. What are the issues in Singapore? Does the acid deposition originate outside or inside the Singapore’s borders?
One of the biggest problem happening in Singapore is haze. This is caused by burning from our neighboring country. Burning releases high amount of dust, sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. High amount of carbon dioxide has resulted in global warming and dust particles in the atmosphere has attributed to alot of health issues. Sulfur oxides in the air will react with water vapor and result in acid rain. This problem is originate outside of Singapore border, indonesia.