Acid rain and air pollution

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Acid rain and air pollution — Free MYP4 Chemistry Practice Questions

1QuestionEffects on soil, water bodies, and buildingsConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

The photograph shows a limestone statue damaged by acid rain. The statue's surface is pitted and fine carved details have been lost.

Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve in atmospheric water.

Identify one acidic substance present in acid rain that reacts with calcium carbonate (

CaCO_3

) in limestone. [1]

The reaction between the acid and limestone produces a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas. Deduce the type of chemical reaction occurring, and explain how the production of

CO_2

gas contributes to the physical erosion of the statue's surface. [1]

Solutions

2QuestionEffects on soil, water bodies, and buildingsAssessment Practice

5 marks~8 minCriterion D

A farmer in a region affected by acid rain observes declining crop yields. Soil tests reveal elevated aluminium ion (

Al^{3+}

) concentrations. Acid rain (pH ≈ 4.5) reacts with aluminium silicate minerals in the soil:

Al_2Si_2O_5(OH)_4(s) + 6H^+(aq) \rightarrow 2Al^{3+}(aq) + 2SiO_2(s) + 5H_2O(l)

The farmer considers applying lime (

CaCO_3

) to neutralise soil acidity:

CaCO_3(s) + 2H^+(aq) \rightarrow Ca^{2+}(aq) + H_2O(l) + CO_2(g)

Explain how acid rain causes aluminium ions to leach into the soil solution. In your answer, refer to the role of

H^+

ions and the equation above. [2]

Discuss TWO limitations of applying lime across a large agricultural area to reduce aluminium leaching. [3]

Solutions

3QuestionFormation of acid rain (SO₂ and NOx reactions)Assessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion C

A sealed chamber containing air, water vapour, and UV light was injected with

SO_2

and

NO_2

. Concentrations were measured over 60 minutes.

Time (min)	0	10	20	30	40	50	60
$SO_2$ (ppm)	100	85	72	60	50	42	35
$NO_2$ (ppm)	80	65	52	40	30	22	15
$H_2SO_4$ (ppm)	0	15	28	40	50	58	65

The proposed reaction pathway is:

SO_2 + NO_2 \rightarrow SO_3 + NO

SO_3 + H_2O \rightarrow H_2SO_4

Describe the trends in the concentrations of

SO_2

NO_2

, and

H_2SO_4

over the 60-minute period. [2]

Explain how the 1:1 decrease in

SO_2

and

NO_2

concentrations, and the corresponding increase in

H_2SO_4

, are consistent with the proposed reaction pathway. [2]

Evaluate whether the data provides sufficient evidence to conclude that

NO_2

is the oxidising agent for

SO_2

in this system. Suggest one additional measurement that would strengthen this conclusion. [2]

Solutions

4QuestionFormation of acid rain (SO₂ and NOx reactions)Assessment Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion B

The table below shows annual

NO_2

emissions and average rainwater pH for a city over five years.

Year	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
$NO_2$ emissions (tonnes)	1200	1150	1080	950	870
Average rainwater pH	5.2	5.3	5.5	5.7	5.9

Identify the relationship between

NO_2

emissions and rainwater pH over the five-year period. [1]

State the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of

NO_2

with water and oxygen to form nitric acid. [1]

Analyse how the change in

NO_2

emissions accounts for the observed trend in rainwater pH, using your equation from (b) in your reasoning. [1]

Solutions

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