Rainwater acidity?

Question

2 questions really ; Why is rainwater acidic? And how do we measure acidity

Answer 1

Rainwater can be acidic due to a variety of gases being present in the atmosphere and dissolving in the water.

Carbon dioxide is naturally present in the atmosphere and dissolves to form carbonic acid (weak).

Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen are released from industrial processes and car exhausts, which dissolve to form stronger acids (nitric and sulphuric) - this is what is known as acid rain, rather than the natural acidity caused by carbon dioxide.

Acidity can be measured in a number of different ways - pH is the unit by which it is measured, but the methods for obtaining it are many - pH probes measure it very accurately while other methods include using pH paper, litmus paper, UI solution etc.

Answer 2

too much CO2.

by pH value.

Answer 3

acid rain forms when non-metal ocides like CO2 and SO2 in the air react with water to form acid rain. Ex: CO2 + H2O--> H2CO3. you can measure acidity by looking at the acid's pH.

Answer 4

check on the facts from Grand father mnt. in north carolina, the acid rain from the paper mills in Tennessee have virtually wiped out the native Frazier fur tree population, you should find a lot of info as many law suits have been filed ,as far as how it get there I m not that much of tech person but Th esulfuric acid used in the paper process was deemed at fault