Final answer:
The component that forms in acid rain from the reaction of nitrogen dioxide with oxygen and water is nitric acid (HNO3). Nitrogen dioxide first reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen trioxide, which then reacts with water to form nitric acid. Therefore correct option is (3)
Step-by-step explanation:
The component of acid rain that forms when gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reacts with gaseous oxygen and liquid water is nitric acid (HNO3).
The chemical formation of nitric acid can be described as follows:
- NO2(g) + ½O2(g) → NO3(g)
- NO3(g) + H2O(l) → HNO3(aq)
When nitrogen dioxide reacts with oxygen, it forms nitrogen trioxide (NO3), which then reacts with water to produce nitric acid. Acid rain is characterized by a mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of acidic compounds, such as nitric and sulfuric acids. The pollutants that cause acid rain, primarily sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), can significantly impact the environment and human health.