Does burning fossil fuels contribute to acid rain?

Question

Does burning fossil fuels contribute to acid rain?

Answer 1

Yep, cuz CO2 is produced, and CO2 with water can become carbonic acid.

Answer 2

Depends on the amount of sulfur in the fuels.  The more sulfur the more SO2 is produced which combines with water to form H2SO3, sulfurous acid.  It is a moderately strong acid, stronger than vinegar, acetic acid.

CO2 is also produced which forms H2CO3, but that is a fairly weak acid.  The major effect H2CO3 has is to dissolve the limestone, CaCO3, and form caves and sinkholes.  It also increases the pH of the forest floors but not enough to harm vegetation, which uses the CO2 and water in photosynthesis to make cellulose and glycogen and sugars.

Answer 3

Yes!

Burning fossil fuels produces sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere.  As rain falls, it absorbs this gas and becomes acid rain.

Answer 4

Yup Nitrate and Sulfates come from fossil fuels,. They react with water vapour in the atmosphere to become nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

Answer 5

The main products of combustion when fossil fuels are burned are carbon dioxide and water.  CO2 can form carbonic acid in the atmosphere.

The biggest source of acid rain is sulfuric acid (H2SO4) which can be formed from "dirty" coal which contains sulfur.

Answer 6

Yes acid rain is caused when fossil fuels are in the air and it rains.