If acids are compounds that release protons (H+), how is it that #SO_x# and #NO_x# cause acid rain?

Answer 1

The compounds react with water to form new compounds that can release protons.

# SO_2 + H_2O === H_2SO_3#

#H_2SO_3# sulfurous acid can easily release protons because of the resonance structure of #SO_3#

#SO_3 + H_2O === H_2SO_4#

#H_2SO_4# sulfuric acid is even stronger than sulfurous acid. The #SO_4# sulfate ion has a resonance structure that allows easy release of the hydrogen ions.

The sulfur oxides dissolve in the water in the air to form acidic compounds, and these nonmetal gases are highly soluble in water.

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Answer 2

Isaac Abel

SOx and NOx gases, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), can react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3), respectively. These acids can then fall to the Earth's surface as acid rain, contributing to environmental damage.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.