IB ESS SL 8.3.5 Acid Rain Formation Questions

Practise IB ESS SL 8.3.5 by applying acid rain formation concepts to environmental systems questions.

[Maximum number: 3]

Figure:Atmospheric sources and processes related to acid deposition

the atmospheric sources-and-processes diagram shown above below shows some of the sources and processes that lead to acid deposition.

(a)

Burning fossil fuels produces gases often called $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ . State the names of the two acids usually produced when $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ dissolve in water.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Compare and contrast the trends in transport emissions for $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ , shown in the European transport-emissions chart shown above.

[ 2 ]

downward trend in emissions of both $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ have reduced at faster rate than $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ have reduced at slower rate than $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ;
$\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ decline is more consistent/steadier than $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ decline is more fluctuating than $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ;
$\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ reduced by only 30 % (accept values between 20-40\%) in 17 years, but $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ reduced by 70 % (accept values between 60-80\%)
NOx reduced by less than half as much as $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ reduced by more than twice as much as $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ;

Credit appropriate numerical comparison of the data.
Responses must compare and contrast.

Marking guidance:

Do not award marks for describing trends for only one pollutant.

All question bank results loaded

IB ESS SL 8.3.5 Acid Rain Formation Questions

Exam points

Learn this topic

Learn this topic

IB ESS SL 8.3.5 Acid Rain Formation Questions question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)