Unit 6: acid rain and its effects on us.

Standard

  1. The connection between the coal fired plant and poor visibility is that due to the combustion of coal in these plants, particulate matter are produced as well as the sulfur oxides. sulfur oxide will react with water in the air to produce sulfuric acid. the sulfuric acid will then form tiny droplets that do not absorb sunlight but reflect it and result in poor visibility. This is more prominent in the summer whereby there is more sunlight which accelerate the photo chemical leading to the smog.

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1B. The estimated pH of the rain in the area will be 4.5.

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2. If the clothes are not hung dry or if the dishwasher and washing machine are ran with small loads or if there is insufficient insulation for hot water heater, more electricity will be consumed. This will result in the usage of more coal burning plants to produce the electricity. This will result in the production of sulfur oxides which will lead to acid rain.

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When we walk or cycle or take public transport, there are less cars on the road. This will lead to the lower production of nitrogen oxide which is implicated in acid rain production. Thus the usage of less vehicles will reduce the chances of acid rain. When we buy locally produced food and products. There is less transportation involve in the process. This also results in reduction of nitrogen oxides.

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3. Sulfuric acid H2SO4, Hydrochloric acid HCl, Nitric acid HNO3, Phosphoric acid H3PO4, Ethanoic acid CH3COOH

Sodium, lithium, calcium, ammonium and potassium hydroxide NaOH, LiOH, Ca2OH, NH4OH, KOH

for acid, it is sour and change blue litmus paper red. It has pH less then 7

for bases, it is bitter, slippery to feel and changes red litmus blue.

4. The issues that arise in Singapore is haze. The acid deposition is outside our borders. The various countries that are responsible for the issues are those that have large industrialized zones that produces nitrogen or sulfur oxide.