Question : The pH value of acid rain is:
Option 1: Less than 7
Option 2: Exactly 7
Option 3: Greater than 7
Option 4: It varies
Correct Answer: Less than 7
Solution : The correct answer is (a) Less than 7
Acid rain is characterized by having a pH value that is less than 7 , indicating acidity. Normal, unpolluted rainwater has a pH value close to 5.6 , which is slightly acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, when rainwater combines with pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from human activities like burning fossil fuels, the pH of the rainwater decreases further, making it more acidic. Acid rain can have detrimental effects on the environment, including the acidification of lakes, rivers, and soils, which can harm aquatic life, vegetation, and ecosystem health.