Question

Which types of gases most commonly combine with water to form acid precipitation?

A. carbon oxides and sulfur oxides
B. carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides
C. nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides
D. ozone and carbon monoxide

Answer 1

Acid precipitation is commonly formed from sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, which react with water to produce sulfuric acid and nitric acid, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gases most commonly involved in forming acid precipitation are sulfur oxides (SO2 and SO3) and nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2).

Sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfurous acid, and it can further react with oxygen to form sulfur trioxide, which when combined with water produces sulfuric acid. This process is summarized by the following reactions:

• SO2(g) + H2O(I) ⇒ H2SO3(aq)
• SO3(g) + H2O(l) ⇒ H2SO4(aq)

Similarly, nitrogen oxides released from internal combustion engines and other industrial processes react with water to form nitric acid, as shown here:

• 2NO2(g) + H2O(l) ⇒ HNO3(aq) + HNO2(aq)

Therefore, the answer to which types of gases most commonly combine with water to form acid precipitation is C. nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.