Source of gases contributing to acid rain.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are gases that contribute to the formation of acid rain. These gases are released, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels and react with atmospheric oxygen and water to form acids.

Sulfur dioxide is produced mainly by the burning of coal in the production of electricity. Black coal is reach in sulfur and forms sulfur dioxide when burnt in the furnace of a power station.

However the coal used to generate electricity in Victoria, Australia is brown coal. This form of coal is relatively young when compared to black coal and very high in water content. Although it is not as good a fuel as black coal, brown coal contains very little sulfur.

The chemical reactions involved in the production of sulfuric acid are given below.
sulfur dioxide(SO2) + oxygen(O2) => sulfur trioxide(SO3)
sulfur trioxide(SO3) + water(H2O) => sulfuric acid(H2SO4).

Exhaust emission from traffic is a major source of nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric oxygen and water to produce nitric acid.

Image from Google

The chemical reactions involved in the production of nitric acid are given below.
nitrogen monoxide(NO) + oxygen(O2) => nitrogen dioxide(NO2)
nitrogen dioxide(NO2) + water(H2O) => nitric acid(HNO3).


Image from Google

Industry and traffic are big contributors to the production of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a product of the burning of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide combines with water in the atmosphere to produce a weak acid known as carbonic acid.

Click to see an overview of this process

1) Environmental Protection Authorities (EPAs) recommend that we take the following steps to reduce the formation of acid rain:
-turn of lights, computers and other electrical items when not in use and only use them when necessary;
-insulate the family home;
-ride a bicycle to work as often as you can or use public transport.
Explain how each of the recommendations listed above will reduce acid rain.

2) The tram on the right uses electricity to power itself.

People argue that electricity is a cleaner energy alternative than fossil fuel.
Is this correct? Explain