8.3.5—Acid rain formation

NOx and SO₂ react with oxygen and water in the atmosphere to form nitric and sulfuric acids that return by wet or dry deposition.

Use the chain precursor → atmospheric reaction → acid → deposition. Natural rain is already slightly acidic, so acid rain means additional acidification rather than ‘dirty water’ alone.

SO₂ from fuel burning dissolves in cloud water and is oxidized, adding sulfuric acid to precipitation.

Water and oxygen; naming only the emission source skips the formation mechanism.

Acid rain is not simply rain with visible dirt; explain the gas reactions that create acids.