Question 1: Define acid rain and explain how it forms as a result of automotive emissions.

Answer: Acid rain is precipitation with a pH lower than 5.6, formed when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from vehicles dissolve in water vapour in the atmosphere, producing sulphuric acid and nitric acid.

Question 2: Which pollutants released by cars primarily contribute to acid rain?

Answer: Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

Question 3: Fill in the blank: The main acids responsible for acid rain are ________ and ________.

Answer: sulphuric acid, nitric acid

Question 4: Describe the chemical process by which nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain.

Answer: Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) react with water in the atmosphere to form nitric acid (HNO3), which falls as acid rain. The reactions involve NO2 reacting with water to produce nitric acid and nitric oxide.

Question 5: Calculate the pH of a rainwater sample that contains 1.0 x 10^-4 mol/dm^3 of sulphuric acid (H2SO4). Assume complete dissociation.

Answer: pH 2

Question 6: Identify two variables that would affect the acidity of rain in an experimental simulation of automotive pollution.

Answer: Concentration of SO2 and NOx emissions, humidity levels in the atmosphere.

Question 7: State one safety precaution that should be considered when performing experiments involving acids or gases related to pollution.

Answer: Use of safety goggles and proper ventilation to prevent inhalation of harmful gases.

Question 8: A car emits 0.5 grams of SO2 per kilometre. If a city has 10,000 cars each travelling 20 km daily, how much SO2 is emitted in total per day?

Answer: 0.5 g/km * 20 km * 10,000 cars = 100,000 g or 100 kg

Question 9: Explain how modern automotive technology can reduce the formation of acid rain.

Answer: Modern automotive technology reduces acid rain formation by using catalytic converters that convert SO2 and NOx into less harmful substances, adopting electric vehicles that produce no emissions, and implementing cleaner fuel technologies to lower pollutant emissions.

Question 10: Analyse the potential environmental impacts of acid rain caused by automotive pollution on soil and aquatic ecosystems.

Answer: Acid rain lowers the pH of soil and water bodies, which can harm plant life, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. It can leach toxic metals from soils, damage trees, and cause fish and aquatic life to die due to increased acidity.