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When fossil fuels are burned, including coal, they produce numerous gases. The two that most contribute to acid rain are nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Coal has quite a significant nitrogen content (often around 1.5% by weight), and when burned it reacts with oxygen in the air under high heat (typically more than 1500 degrees F) to form nitrogen oxides. Coal can contain up to 10% sulfur by weight, although values of 1-4% are more typical depending on the region where the coal was extracted which when the sulfur is oxidized, produces sulfur dioxide SO2.

In a nutshell:

Air contains nitrogen, and coal some nitrogen and sulfur, when burned makes nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, and sulfur trioxide. In the atmosphere SO3 combines with H2O to build H2SO4 which is sulfuric acid. Sulfur dioxide makes sulfurous acid, and Nitrogen oxides combine to make a variety of nitrogen acid compounds. Carbon dioxide and monoxide as well combines with moisture in the air, to a lesser extent, to make carbonic and carbolic acids.

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Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which can react with water vapor to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acidic compounds contribute to the formation of acid rain when they fall back to Earth.

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Q: What is in coal that leads to acid rain?
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What element present in coal leads to acid rain?

Sulfur is the element present in coal that leads to acid rain when it combines with oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid. Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide into the air, which can then react with other compounds to create acid rain.


What is a cause of acid rain from burning coal?

Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These compounds can react with water vapor in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which then fall to the ground as acid rain.


Is burning of coal a cause of acid precipitation?

Yes, burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which can react with water vapor to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acids can then fall to the ground as acid rain, snow, or fog, contributing to acid precipitation.


How does burning gasoline and coal cause acid rain?

When gasoline and coal are burned, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere. These gases react with water vapor in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which then fall back to the Earth's surface as acid rain. This acidic rain can harm plant life, water bodies, and buildings.


What type of chemical weathering forms from coal oil and gas burning?

The type of chemical weathering that forms from coal, oil, and gas burning is acid rain. When these fuels are burned, they release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which can react with water vapor to form acids that contribute to acid rain. This acid rain can then dissolve minerals in rocks, leading to chemical weathering.

Related questions

What element present in coal leads to acid rain?

Sulfur is the element present in coal that leads to acid rain when it combines with oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid. Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide into the air, which can then react with other compounds to create acid rain.


How burning of coal leads to acid rain?

Coal is of many types. One of them is bituminous coal. When it is burned, it releases very much sulphur gas. This gas combines with the water vapour to form sulphuric acid. It comes down as acid rain.


What acid is the main acid in acid rain?

Sulphuric acid from burning coal.


What activity leads to acid precipitation?

Burning coal.


What forms coal oils and gas?

acid rain


What forms coal oil and gas burning?

acid rain


What is a cause of acid rain from burning coal?

Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These compounds can react with water vapor in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which then fall to the ground as acid rain.


What chemicals are pruduced when coal is burnt?

When coal is burnt it gives an off-put of carbon dioxide plus sulfur dioxide. this is bad as it goes into the atmosphere and can produce acid rain. acid rain is when sulfur dioxide is mixed with water vapour creating acid this then falls as rain


Why is lignite coal a problem in eastern Europe?

it causes acid rain


What produces compounds responsible for causing acid rain?

Burning coal


Is burning of coal a cause of acid precipitation?

Yes, burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which can react with water vapor to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acids can then fall to the ground as acid rain, snow, or fog, contributing to acid precipitation.


What is primarily responsible for acid rain in the northeast us?

Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are primarily responsible for acid rain in the northeast US. When these pollutants react with water vapor in the atmosphere, they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which then fall to the ground as acid rain.