Acid Rain

A set of vocabulary flashcards related to acid rain and its environmental impacts, including definitions of key concepts and chemical reactions.

Carbonic Acid

A weak acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater, contributing to the natural acidity of rain.

pH

A measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, with lower values indicating higher acidity.

Acid Rain

Rain with a pH of less than 5.6, primarily caused by human activities that emit sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

Anthropogenic Activities

Human activities that cause environmental changes, such as emissions of harmful gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Oxides of Nitrogen

Gases like nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide formed from high-temperature combustion processes.

Oxides of Sulfur

Gases like sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide produced by burning sulfur-containing fuels.

Acid Deposition

Any form of precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) that is acidic, resulting from the reactions of acidic oxides with water.

Sulfuric Acid

A strong acid produced from the reaction of sulfur oxides with water, contributing to acid rain.

Nitric Acid

A strong acid formed from the reaction of nitrogen oxides with water, also contributing to acid rain.

Environmental Impact

The effects of acid rain on ecosystems, including damage to plants, animals, and man-made structures.

Leaching

The process by which nutrients and minerals are washed away from the soil, often exacerbated by acid rain.

Calcium Carbonate

A compound often found in limestone and marble that reacts with acids, leading to erosion of buildings and monuments.

Chemical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions, often due to acid rain.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll, which can be disrupted by acid rain.

Ecosystem Sensitivity

The susceptibility of certain species, like fish and plankton, to changes in water pH due to acid rain.