Acids/Bases/ & Acid Rain
How to Recognize Acids & Bases H+ hydrogen ions OH- hydroxide ions w/ a metal* Ex. HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 Ex. NaOH, LiOH, Ca(OH)2, other ex.’s= citrus fruits *visual exception NH3(aq) other ex= household cleaners Acids taste sour Bases taste bitter Litmus test ends RED Litmus test ends Blue
How to measure STRENGTH of Acids and Bases pH scale: power of H+ ions 0 up to 7=Acidic 7= Neutral >7 to 14= Basic Strong Acids are near 0, Strong Bases near 14
Neutralization Acids react with Bases in a neutralization reaction to form water HOH (and a salt) Ex. HCl + NaOH HOH + NaCl Pure water is neutral; equal concentrations of the H+ and OH- ions As OH- are added to H’s, HOH or water forms and the pH of the solution “heads UP towards 7” Ex. Start at pH=4 (acidic; more H’s than OH’s). Add OH-, water forms and final pH can be 6 As H’s are added to OH’s, HOH or water forms and the pH “heads towards DOWN towards 7”
Acid Rain Background CO2 + H2O H2CO3 carbon dioxide gas reacts with water to form WEAK carbonic acid. Although slightly acidic, this is considered NORMAL rainwater SO2 + H20 H2SO4 sulfur dioxide gas reacts with water to form sulfuric acid. This is highly acidic and = ACID rain. Rainwater with a pH less than 5.5 is considered Acid Rain. This gas enters the atmosphere mainly from coal power plants and industrial smokestacks NOx + H2O HNO3 nitrous oxides react with water to form nitric acid. This is highly acidic and= ACID rain. These gases enter the atmosphere mainly from vehicle emissions
Acid Rain
Acid Rain’s Effect
Acid Rain and Lakes
Acid Rain and Forests
Acid Rain’s Effect on Stone Limestone and Marble w/CaCO3 is very susceptible to acid rain Sandstone, granite, and other materials without CaCO3 is Not affected by acid rain The lettering on this marble Stone has been weathered by acid rain