Answer to Question #107454 in General Chemistry for Elizabeth

Question

a) What is the relationship between the amount of NO3 and SO4 in the rainwater and the pH level of rain?
b) Why do you think some regions in the United States have higher levels of NO3 and SO4? What do these regions have that contributes to the air pollution?

c) How does the pH level in rainwater change as you travel from the west to the east? Which areas of the United States have the worst problem with acid rain? Why?

Answer 1

a) NO₃ and SO₄ accounts for the presence of anions in the rainwater. The pH level of rain is less than 5.65. Increasing amount of NO₃ and SO₄ decrease the pH level.

b) I think that they have higher levels because the air is more polluted there. Some of the factors are the abundance of factories and cars.

c) As we travel from the west to the east, pH level decreases. States on the East Coast are most polluted. Many factors are involved in this: from the level of pollution of the air to winds and terrain.