Question

The pH of acid rain water is
A) 1.2
B) 5.6
C) 3.1
D) 6.0

Answer 1

pH is the term used to determine if the given solution is acids or bases based on the property of them to accept or to donate protons. Water is generally neutral at its pH value.

Complete answer:
Acids are those components that can donate protons and their pH value range from 0 to 6.9, bases are those components which can accept protons and their pH value ranges from 7.1 to 14. The pH of neutral solutions are considered to be 7.

Rain water should have neutral pH theoretically but due to pollution in the environment which can convert rain water acidic after contact with chemical residues. The acidic nature of water is due to sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides present in the atmosphere.

Both the oxides react with rain water along with oxygen and other chemical components resulting in the formation of sulfuric acids and nitric acids. The release of chemicals into the atmosphere will be due to volcanic eruptions and pollutants which are caused by industries. Chemical based estimation of pH from rain water reveals that rain water has pH in an average of 5.6, this makes the rain water acidic.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: Precipitation of acid rain results in several skin disorders as its pH is 5.6. If the pH of acid rain is below 5 which makes it highly acidic can result in immediate burns on the skin.