1a) Coal fired plants have been linked to poor visibility due to the fact that the plants release sulfur dioxide which eventually become sulfate particles that are responsible for the poor visibility.
1b) As the benchmark values for normal rain is between pH 5 and 6, the pH of rainfall in the park should fall between the values of pH 4 to 5
2a) If we hang our laundry to dry, we won’t be needing to use the dryer which saves electricity and electricity comes from burning of fossil fuels. Thus lowering the production of SOx and NOx which contributes to acid rain.
2b) By walking or taking the public transport, we will be reducing the number of cars on the roads. The highest NOx emissions are generally found in places with heavy automobile traffic. Thus, by reducing the number of cars, it reduces the production of NOx emssions.
2c) Washing more clothes at one go with the washing machine is more “eco-friendly” because it produces lesser SOx and NOx as compared to using the washing machine more frequently.
2d) By adding additional insulation on hot water and pipes, lesser electricity is needed to keep the water hot thus burning lesser fossil fuels.
2e) By purchasing local products, we discourage imports from overseas thus fewer airplanes required and fewer NOx and SOx produced.
3a) The names and chemical formulas for five acids and bases are as followed:
Acids
- Sulfuric acid, H2SO4
- Phosphoric acid, H3PO4
- Nitric acid, HNO3
- Hydrochloric acid, HCl
- Carbonic acid, H2CO3
Bases
- Ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH
- Ammonia, NH3
- Lithium hydroxide, LiOH
- Sodium hydroxide, NaOH
- Potassium hydroxide, KOH
3b) Acids – Tastes sour, Turns blue litmus paper red, observed pH value of less than 7 using pH meter
Bases – Slippery, Bitter, Turns red litmus paper blue
4) Acid Rain affects our reservoir health and metallic structures such as bridges and sculptures. An urban population leads to high NO production due to cars and other vehicles . However, Singapore has made it compulsory (by law) to have catalytic converters installed in vehicles. This significantly reduces NO production. Therefore, most of the acid deposition occurs from outside Singapore’s borders, in areas where catalytic converters are not installed in all cars and NO pollution is rampant.