ACID RAIN & CARS

Wind spreads these acidic solutions in the atmosphere over hundreds of kilometers.
To determine the acidity of a liquid, a scale called pH is used. This scale varies from 0 to 14, where 0 means
the most acidic and 14 the most basic (the opposite to acid).
Rain is always slightly acidic because it is mixed with oxides naturally in the air . Rain in non-
contaminated locations occurs having a pH value of between 5 and 6 .
When the air becomes more polluted with nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide can increase the
acidity to pH 2 .
Acid rain is the result of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides reacting in the atmosphere with water and
returning to the Earth in various forms of precipitation
pH can be measured by using pH paper or a pHmeter (digital). pH indicator paper turns to a
color that corresponds with the pH color key.
pH 7 is called neutral pH, that is not either acidic or alkaline; the pH of pure water .
S + O
2
SO
2

SO
2
+ OH HOSO
2


HOSO
2
+ O
2
HO
2
+ SO
3

SO
3
(g) + H
2
O (l) H
2
SO
4
(l)
N
2
+ O
2
2NO

O
2
+ 2NO 2NO
2

3NO
2
+ H
2
O 2HNO
3
+ NO
69%
4%
13%
11%
3%
0%
Utilities
Transport
Industrial process
Industrial combustion
Other combustions
Other
32%
42%
5%
16%
4%
1%
Utilities
Transport
Industrial process
Industrial combustion
Other combustions
Other
Marina Kracht
Leire Torrero
Fernando Mayoral
The catalytic converter reduces the pollutant elements contained in the exhaust of a vehicle
by the catalysis. This is a device installed in the exhaust pipe near the engine, since there the
gases maintain a high temperature.

This heat energy is passed to the catalyst and raise its own temperature essential fact that
this device is performing optimally which is reached between 400 and 700 C.
Harmful exhaust gases generated by the engine, when in contact with the active surface of
the catalyst, are partly transformed into harmless elements nonpolluting.
Outwardly, the catalyst is made of stainless
steel, often provided with a heatproof
metal casing - screen (also steel) which
protects the underbody of the high
temperatures reached.
Inside it has a surface impregnated with a
resin containing metal which act as
catalysts active elements: start and speed
up chemical reactions in other substances
with which it comes in contact, without
participating themselves in these reactions.
Acid rain is one of the consequences of air pollution. When any fuel is burned,
some chemicals are released into the air.
Power plants, factories, machinery and cars burn fuels; all are producing greenhouse
gases. Some of these gases (especially nitrogen oxides and sulfur
dioxide) react on contact with moist air and are transformed into sulfuric,
It is required, therefore, that the car manufacturers reduce
the level of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants emitted
by new vehicles.
One type of technology used in automobiles is the
catalytic converter. This has been used for the
past twenty years to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides
emitted by automobiles. Another option would be the
promotion of electric cars.
nitric and hydrochloric acid, which are deposited in the clouds. Rain producing these clouds containing
small particles of acid are known as acid rain.
SO
2

NO
X