which harmful gas is formed when coal and oils containing sulphur impurities are burned?
SO2 and SO3. These pollutants are a major source of acid rain.
When coal and oils containing sulphur impurities are burned, the harmful gas formed is sulfur dioxide (SO2).
To understand why sulfur dioxide is formed during the combustion of coal and oils with sulfur impurities, we need to consider the chemical reaction involved. Sulfur is present in these fuels as sulfur compounds, such as sulfur-containing organic compounds or sulfur-containing minerals. When these fuels are burned, the high temperatures break down these sulfur compounds, resulting in the release of sulfur atoms.
Sulfur dioxide is formed when these sulfur atoms combine with oxygen in the air during the combustion process. The chemical equation for this reaction can be written as follows:
Sulfur + Oxygen → Sulfur Dioxide
(S + O2 → SO2)
It is worth noting that sulfur dioxide is a harmful gas that contributes to air pollution and has various negative effects on both human health and the environment.