/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 24 Why is rainwater naturally acidi... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 18: Problem 24

Why is rainwater naturally acidic, even in the absence of polluting gases such as \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) ?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Rainwater is naturally acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide (CO鈧�) in the atmosphere. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid (H鈧侰O鈧�), which ionizes to form bicarbonate ion (HCO鈧冣伝) and a hydrogen ion (H鈦�). Bicarbonate ion can further ionize to form carbonate ion (CO鈧兟测伝) and another hydrogen ion (H鈦�). The presence of H鈦� ions makes the rainwater acidic, even in the absence of polluting gases like sulfur dioxide (SO鈧�).

Step by step solution

01

Formation of Carbonic Acid

Carbon dioxide (CO鈧�) is present in the atmosphere naturally. When CO鈧� dissolves in water (H鈧侽), it forms carbonic acid (H鈧侰O鈧�). The chemical reaction can be represented as follows: \[ CO_{2} + H_{2}O \rightarrow H_{2}CO_{3} \]
02

Ionization of Carbonic Acid

Carbonic acid is a weak acid that can undergo ionization and release hydrogen ions (H鈦�), making the solution acidic. In water, carbonic acid ionizes to form bicarbonate ion (HCO鈧冣伝) and a hydrogen ion (H鈦�). \[ H_{2}CO_{3} \rightleftharpoons HCO_{3}^{-} + H^{+} \]
03

Further Ionization of Bicarbonate Ion

Bicarbonate ion can undergo further ionization to form carbonate ion (CO鈧兟测伝) and a hydrogen ion (H鈦�). \[ HCO_{3}^{-} \rightleftharpoons CO_{3}^{2-} + H^{+} \] Since H鈦� ions are produced through this process, the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to the formation of acidic substances in rainwater, making it naturally acidic even in the absence of other polluting gases like sulfur dioxide (SO鈧�).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain why increasing concentrations of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) in the atmosphere affect the quantity of energy leaving Earth but do not affect the quantity entering from the Sun.

The solar power striking Earth every day averages 169 watts per square meter. The peak electrical power usage in New York City is 12,000 megawatts. Considering that present technology for solar energy conversion is only about \(10 \%\) efficient, from how many square meters of land must sunlight be collected in order to provide this peak power? (For comparison, the total area of the city is \(830 \mathrm{~km}^{2}\).)

Draw the Lewis structure for the chlorofluorocarbon CFC-11, CFCly. What chemical characteristics of this substance allow it to effectively deplete stratospheric ozone?

Gold is found in seawater at very low levels, about \(0.05\) ppb by mass. Assuming that gold is worth about \(\$ 800\) per troy ounce, how many liters of seawater would you have to process to obtain \(\$ 1,000,000\) worth of gold? Assume the density of seawater is \(1.03 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mL}\) and that your gold recovery process is \(50 \%\) efficient

Discuss how catalysts can make processes more energy efficient.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.