Final answer:
Acid rain, caused by sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, reacts with marble and limestone statues through an acid-base reaction. This reaction with calcium carbonate results in the formation of calcium sulfate, water, and carbon dioxide, causing erosion and damage to the statue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dear Mayor,
I am writing to you about the damage caused to our town's statue due to acid rain. Acid rain, which results from the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, forms strong acids that fall with rainwater. It is the reaction of these acids with the calcium carbonate in the marble and limestone statues that leads to damage. The reaction between sulfuric acid (a component of acid rain) and calcium carbonate is a classic acid-base reaction represented as CaCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → CaSO4(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g). Understanding the type of reaction is crucial because it reveals the products formed. Here, calcium sulfate, water, and carbon dioxide are produced.
Knowing the charge of ions involved is essential for predicting the reaction's products because it helps us balance the chemical equation accurately, ensuring the conservation of matter. In our case, the calcium ions (Ca2+) react with sulfate ions (SO42-) to form calcium sulfate (CaSO4), a compound sparingly soluble in water, leading to the dissolution and erosion of the statue.
Such knowledge can help us better protect our cultural heritage by implementing strategies that can reduce or neutralize the effects of acid rain. It is of great importance that we take action to prevent further damage to our valued public art and monuments.
Thank you for considering this matter with urgency.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]