Deck 6: Neutralizing the Threat of Acid Rain

Question 1

Which substance has the highest pH?

A)orange juice
B)rain
C)a sulfuric acid solution
D)a lye solution

Answer 1

a lye solution

Question 2

Which reaction most accurately represents the dissociation of nitrous acid (HNO₂)in water?

A)HNO₂ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + NO₂¯
B)HNO₂ + H₂O → H₃O₂⁺ + NO¯
C)HNO₂ + H₂O → HN + HO⁺ + HO₂¯
D)HNO₂ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + N + O₂¯

Answer 2

HNO₂ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + NO₂¯

Question 3

Which anthropogenic pollutants are implicated in the formation of most acidic precipitation?

A)carbon oxides
B)phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid
C)ozone and carbon monoxide
D)nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides

Answer 3

nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides

Question 4

Which concentration is consistent with a basic solution?

A)M_H+ = 3.2 × 10¯³ M
B)M_OH- = 3.6 × 10¯⁹ M
C)M_H+ = 9.7 × 10¯⁴ M
D)M_OH- = 3.4 × 10¯³ M

Question 5

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 authorize the assignment of permits to corporations allowing a predetermined level of sulfur dioxide emissions.Permit holders that keep emissions below the permit level may

A)charge a higher price for generated power.
B)sell their unused emission rights to another corporation.
C)receive tax rebates.
D)receive a lower emission permit in the future.

Question 6

When dissolved in water,hydrogen bromide (HBr)forms hydrobromic acid.Determine the hydroxide ion concentration in a 4,500 mL solution containing 3.78 g hydrogen bromide;K_w = 1.00 × 10¯¹⁴.

A)[OH¯] = 9.63 × 10¯¹³ M
B)[OH¯] = 2.14 × 10¯¹³ M
C)[OH¯] = 4.67 × 10¯² M
D)[OH¯] = 0.0104 M

Question 7

A proton released by an acid in aqueous solution quickly reacts with water to form a hydronium ion.What product is formed when a proton reacts with ammonia (NH₃)?

A)NH₃⁺
B)NH₄
C)NH₂¯
D)NH₄⁺

Question 8

Calculate the pH of a solution prepared by dissolving 1.2 g of potassium hydroxide (KOH)in 1,250 mL of water.

A)0.017
B)1.77
C)9.22
D)12.23

Question 9

Which chemical equation shows the dissociation of magnesium hydroxide?

A)Mg(OH)₂ → Mg²⁺ + 2OH¯
B)MgOH → Mg²⁺ + OH²¯
C)Mg(OH)₃ → Mg³⁺ + 3OH¯
D)Mg(OH)₂ → Mg²⁺ + H₂O + O^2-

Question 10

Which chemical equation shows the dissociation of 2 protons from trihydrogen phosphate (phosphoric acid)?

A)H₃PO₄ → H₂⁺ + HPO₄¯
B)H₃PO₄ → H₂²⁺ + PO₄²¯
C)H₃PO₄ → 2H⁺ + HPO₄²¯
D)H₃PO₄ → H₃³⁺ + PO₄³¯

Question 11

Sulfur oxides have been implicated as important contributors to the problem of acid rain.What is the principal anthropogenic source of these compounds?

A)transportation
B)coal fired power plants
C)lightning
D)volcanoes

Question 12

What atmospheric component is responsible for the natural acidity of rain?

A)nitrogen
B)ozone
C)oxygen
D)carbon dioxide

Question 13

The pH of lemon juice is approximately 2.40.At this pH,the hydronium ion concentration is closest to which concentration?

A)2.5 × 10¯¹² M
B)4.0 × 10¯³ M
C)0.38 M
D)5.6 × 10¯⁴ M

Question 14

Evaluate the ratio M_H+ (pH 3)/ M_H+ (pH 7).

A)0.0001
B)0.001
C)0.429
D)10,000

Question 15

The formation of nitric oxide (NO,a precursor to nitric acid)from oxygen and nitrogen is ordinarily a very slow process.What accounts for its more rapid formation in automobile exhaust?

A)the extreme conditions involved in gasoline combustion
B)the presence of nitrogen compounds in gasoline
C)catalysts present in fuel that facilitate its formation
D)well-designed catalytic converters

Question 16

Coal is not a pure chemical compound,but its elemental composition can be approximated by the formula C₁₃₅H₉₆NO₉S.What is the approximate percentage by mass of sulfur in coal?

A)0.413%
B)1.68%
C)3.11%
D)42.8%

Question 17

Coal switching refers to the practice of

A)converting oil or natural gas power plants to coal because coal is cheaper.
B)pulverizing coal in order to make it burn more efficiently.
C)converting coal power plants to oil or natural gas to reduce SO_x emissions.
D)using coal with a lower sulfur content to reduce SO_x emissions.

Question 18

The hydronium ion concentration in a solution with pH 10 is __________ than the hydronium ion concentration in a solution with pH 13.

A)1,000 times less
B)3 times greater
C)1,000 times greater
D)100 times less

Question 19

Predict the products of this reaction: KOH + HNO₃ →

A)KNO₃ + H₂O
B)KNO₂ + H₂O₂
C)KH + HNO₄
D)KO₄ + H₂N

Question 20

Calculate the amount of sulfur dioxide produced annually by a power plant that burns 7.5 million metric tons (t)of coal over a year.Assume that the coal is 2.4% sulfur by mass.1 metric ton (t)= 1000 kg.

A)3.6 × 10⁸ kg
B)3.6 × 10⁸ t
C)1.8 × 10¹¹ kg
D)7.5 × 10¹² g

Question 21

Calculate the percentage decease in NO_x emissions after clean coal technology was installed at the Milliken power station.

A)0.39%
B)39%
C)61%
D)156%

Question 22

Carbon dioxide is the acid anhydride of which compound?

A)CH₂O₃
B)CO
C)CH₂O
D)CHO₂

Question 23

Lakes surrounded by ______ have very little acid-neutralizing capacity.
I.marble
II.granite
III.limestone

A)I only
B)II only
C)I and III only
D)II and III only

Question 24

What is the current expert consensus concerning the role of acid rain on the health of forests?

A)Acid rain is indisputably responsible for the declining health of many forests.
B)Acid rain is not responsible for any of the decline observed in many forests.
C)Acid rain weakens trees and the surrounding soil,leaving them susceptible to disease and insects.
D)There is not sufficient evidence that acid rain has caused an appreciable decline in the health of any forests.

Question 25

The primary product of the combustion of sulfur is:

A)H₂S
B)H₂SO₄
C)H₂SO₃
D)SO₂

Question 26

Sulfur dioxide,the primary product of sulfur combustion,further reacts with oxygen as shown.
2 SO₂ + O₂ → 2 SO₃
What is the final step in the formation of the acidic aerosol?

A)Reaction of sulfur trioxide with nitrogen oxide.
B)Reaction of sulfur trioxide with water.
C)Reaction of sulfur trioxide with sodium hydroxide.
D)Reaction of sulfur trioxide with nitrogen gas.

Question 27

Why did the industrial-scale production of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen present a difficult challenge?

A)Ammonia is explosive.
B)Nitrogen is difficult to purify.
C)Nitrogen is unreactive.
D)Hydrogen is unreactive.

Question 28

One of the functions of an automobile catalytic converter contributes to the battle against acid rain.Which reaction represents this function as carried out by a catalytic converter?

A)HNO₂ + NaOH → H₂O + NaNO₂
B)NO₂ + H₂O → HO⁺ + HNO₂¯
C)2 NO → N₂ + O₂
D)HNO₃ + NaOH → H₂O + NaNO₃

Question 29

Bases produce which ions in aqueous solution?

A)OH¯
B)NO₂¯
C)Cl¯
D)SO₃¯

Question 30

For what purpose was the Haber-Bosch process developed?

A)reduction of SO_x in coal burning power plant emissions
B)reduction of NO_x in vehicle emissions
C)nitrification of soil
D)production of ammonia

Question 31

Which nitrogen-containing substance is generally unreactive?

A)NO
B)NaNO₂
C)N₂
D)NH₃

Question 32

Why have efforts to reduce sulfur oxide emissions met with greater success than those directed at nitrogen oxide emissions reductions?

A)Sulfur oxides have higher molar masses than nitrogen oxides.
B)Sulfur oxide emissions come from a limited number of point sources.
C)Nitrogen oxides are only produced at power plants.
D)Nitrogen reacts more readily with oxygen than sulfur.

Question 33

Which solution is acidic?

A)M_OH¯ = 0.0065 M
B)M_H+ = 1.27 × 10¯⁹ M
C)M_H+ = 5.79 × 10¯¹⁰ M
D)M_OH¯ = 1.77 × 10¯¹⁰ M

Question 34

Most of the sulfur in coal originates from

A)decaying vegetation in swamps and peat bogs.
B)sulfate ions (SO₄^2-)naturally present in sea water.
C)sulfur deposits located adjacent to coal deposits.
D)the natural sulfur content of the plants making up the coal.

Question 35

Cars and trucks produce most of the NO_x emissions and they also suffer the deleterious effects of acid rain.Which negative effects of acid rain affect cars and trucks?
I.decreased gas mileage
II.damage to the paint and finish
III.increased susceptibility to rust
IV.reduced radio reception

A)I and II only
B)I and IV only
C)II and III only
D)III and IV only

Question 36

The acid neutralizing capacity of a lake or stream most often derives from the presence of _______ in the surrounding soil or rock.

A)CaCO₃
B)HNO₃
C)NaCl
D)Sr(OH)₂

Question 37

Soil nitrification refers to which process?

A)conversion of NO to NO₂
B)conversion of nitrogen oxides to nitric acid
C)conversion of N₂ to NO₂¯
D)conversion of NH₄⁺to NO₃¯

Question 38

Which statement(s)concerning SO_x and NO_x emissions are true?
I.Automobiles produce NO_x but very little SO_x.
II.Power plants produce only SO_x.
III.Diesel powered vehicles produce only SO_x.
IV.The high concentration of nitrogen compounds in gasoline accounts for the formation of NO_x by automobiles and trucks.

A)I only
B)I and II only
C)II and IV only
D)I,II,III,and IV

Question 39

Which reaction represents an acid base neutralization reaction?

A)HNO₂ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + NO₂¯
B)NaOH + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + NaO¯
C)Ba(OH)₂ + 2LiCl → BaCl₂ + 2LiOH
D)Be(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ → BeSO₄ + 2H₂O

Question 40

The acidity of rain was first studied in

A)the mid-1750s.
B)the mid-1850s.
C)1900.
D)the mid-1950s.

Question 41

Predict the products of the chemical equation: 3 LiOH + H₃PO₄ →

A)3 LiH + (OH)₃PO₄
B)3 H + 3 O₂ + H₃Li₃
C)Li₃PO₄ + 3 H₂O
D)Li₃P + 2 H₂O + H₃O₅

Question 42

An acidic fog in Pasadena was found to have a pH of 2.50.Which expression represents this pH measurement?

A)M_OH¯ = 3.2 × 10¯¹² M
B)M_OH¯ = 3.2 × 10¯⁹ M
C)M_H+ = 9.7 × 10¯³ M
D)M_H+ = 2.5 M

Question 43

The amounts of SO₂ and NO_x emissions from anthropogenic sources are ______ those from natural sources.

A)considerably greater than
B)roughly equivalent to
C)somewhat less than
D)considerably less than

Question 44

Which reaction accounts for the fact that the pH of rain is naturally slightly acidic?

A)CO₂ + H₂O → H⁺ + HCO₃¯
B)SO₃ + H₂O → 2 H⁺ + SO₄²¯
C)Ca²⁺ + CO₂ + H₂O → CaCO₃ + 2 H⁺
D)NO₂ + H₂O → 2 H⁺ + NO₃¯

Question 45

Most aquatic life in lakes cannot survive in water with a pH less than

A)9.
B)8.
C)6.
D)5.

Question 46

What is the source of the nitrogen in the NO_x emitted from fossil fuel combustion?

A)the atmosphere
B)coal
C)natural gas
D)oil

Question 47

Scrubbers installed on coal fired power plants remove acidic emissions by the following reaction:
CaCO₃ + H₂SO₄ → H₂O + CaSO₄ + CO₂
If a plant burns 2.4 million metric tons of coal (1 t = 1000 kg)containing 1.3% sulfur,how much limestone (CaCO₃)will be consumed neutralizing the resulting acid? Assume that all of the sulfur is converted to sulfuric acid and that the acid is completely converted to calcium sulfate.

A)2.4 × 10⁹ kg
B)1.3 × 10⁸ kg
C)3.1 × 10⁷ kg
D)9.7 × 10⁷ kg

Question 48

A substance that is hygroscopic

A)absorbs and retains moisture from the atmosphere.
B)releases water to the atmosphere.
C)purifies water by removing nitrate and sulfate ions.
D)prevents atmospheric gases from forming aerosols.

Question 49

Which reactive nitrogen compound is produced using the Haber-Bosch process?

A)NaNO₃
B)KNO₃
C)NH₃
D)NO₂

Question 50

The production of nickel and copper metals from their ores involves sulfur dioxide emissions because

A)the ores of these elements are composed primarily of NiSO₂ and CuSO₂.
B)the ores of these elements are composed primarily of NiS and CuS.
C)to release the metals from their ores,the ores are heated with sulfur-containing coal.
D)the release of metals from their ores involves the reaction of SO₃ with the ore.

Question 51

Which reaction illustrates how acid rain causes the decomposition of marble monuments?

A)Ca(OH)₂ + H₂⁺ → Ca²⁺ + 2 H₂O
B)CaCO₃ + 2 H⁺ → Ca²⁺ + CO₂ + H₂O
C)4 Fe²⁺ + O₂ + 4 H₂O → 2 Fe₂O₃ + 8 H⁺
D)Ca(OH)₂ + 2 H₂O → CaO₂²¯ + 2 H₃O⁺

Question 52

Nationally,the greatest amounts of NO_x in the atmosphere are produced by which of these?
I.transporation sources (motor vehicles,aircraft,trains)
II.combustion of fuel in electrical utility plants and industry releases
III.nitrification in farm fields

A)I and II only
B)I and III only
C)II and III only
D)I,II,and III

Question 53

Iron,an important component of the steel used in the construction of buildings,bridges,and railroads,combines with oxygen to form Fe₂O₃,which we recognize as rust.At room temperature,iron

A)combines readily with atmospheric oxygen to form Fe₂O₃.
B)requires the presence of a galvanizing agent and oxygen before it can rust.
C)gains valence electrons from atmospheric oxygen,forming Fe₂O₃.
D)requires the presence of hydrogen ions and oxygen before it can form Fe₂O₃.

Question 54

Bases are substances that increase the hydroxide ion concentration in aqueous solution.Why does ammonia (NH₃),which does not contain a hydroxide group,act as a base?

A)Ammonia acts as a base only in the presence of hydroxide ion-containing compounds.
B)Ammonia molecules remove protons from water molecules,forming hydroxide ions.
C)Ammonia molecules donate protons to water molecules,forming hydroxide ions.
D)Ammonia acts as a base only in the presence of very strong acids.

Question 55

If acids are compounds that release protons (H⁺),how is it that SO_x and NO_x cause acid rain?

A)They react with hydrogen gas in the atmosphere to produce acids.
B)There is not sufficient evidence to indicate that these compounds actually do cause acid rain.
C)They react with water to form acids.
D)They react with ammonia to form acids.

Question 56

What is the concentration of hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution containing [H⁺] = 1 x 10^-5 M?

A)1 x 10^-5 M
B)1 x 10^-7 M
C)1 x 10^-9 M
D)1 x 10^-14 M

Question 57

In the early 1990s,glass manufacturers developed a green chemistry solution to reducing NO emissions and energy consumption.This involved

A)reducing the temperature required to melt the glass.
B)using liquid rather than solid starting materials to make the glass.
C)substituting 100% oxygen for air in the large furnaces used to melt and reheat the glass.
D)melting the starting materials in the absence of air (in a vacuum).

Question 58

Which of the following is a weak base?

A)HCl
B)NaOH
C)NH₃
D)LiOH

Question 59

The pH of rain water falling through an unpolluted atmosphere is closest to:

A)4.7
B)5.4
C)7.0
D)8.7

Question 60

In addition to fossil fuel combustion,what other facet of modern industrial society contributes to the formation of acid rain?

A)the use of chlorofluorocarbons
B)deforestation
C)fertilizer production
D)the use of river water in cooling towers

Question 61

Which of the following countries is the largest consumer of coal (by total mass)?

A)China
B)United States
C)India
D)Indonesia

Question 62

Why are mountaintops more susceptible than grassy plains to acid deposition?

A)They are made of softer rock.
B)They contact clouds with more concentrated acid droplets.
C)They are often buried under snow.
D)There is less oxygen at high altitude.

Question 63

Every increase of one pH unit indicates

A)an increase in acidity.
B)10 times more hydrogen ions in solution.
C)10 times less hydrogen ions in solution.
D)none of the above.

Question 64

Which of the following compounds contributes to "dry" acid deposition?

A)Calcium carbonate
B)Ammonium nitrate
C)Sodium hydroxide
D)All of the above

Question 65

Which of the following is not carried out by bacteria in soil?

A)Atmospheric nitrogen is fixed in soils.
B)Ammonium is converted into nitrites.
C)Nitrites are converted to nitrates.
D)All of these are carried out by bacteria.

Question 66

Scientists predict that shells of some ocean creatures will start to dissolve after how many more years of ocean acidification?

A)40 years
B)150 years
C)300 years
D)85 years

Question 67

The ocean has an acidic pH due to carbon dioxide emissions.

Question 68

Why are automobiles a contributor to acid rain when there is no sulfur in gasoline to make SO_x?

A)This is incorrect because there is sulfur in gasoline.
B)Catalytic converters contain sulfur compounds.
C)Hydrocarbons contribute to acid rain,also.
D)Nitrogen from the atmosphere combines with oxygen in the hot engine to make NO_x.