what is the word equation for the formation of acid rain?

nitrogen dioxide + water -> nitric acid,

and
sulfur trioxide + water -> sulfuric acid

See http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~edudev/LabTutorials/Water/FreshWater/acidrain.html for more

The formation of acid rain can be described by the following word equation:

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) + Oxygen (O2) + Water (H2O) → Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

Please note that this equation represents one of the primary contributors to acid rain, specifically the reaction between sulfur dioxide and oxygen in the presence of water to form sulfuric acid. However, there are other chemical reactions and pollutants involved in the overall formation of acid rain, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) reacting with atmospheric water to form nitric acid (HNO3).

The word equation for the formation of acid rain involves the reaction between water, oxygen, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Here is the equation:

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) + Nitrogen oxides (NOx) + Water (H2O) + Oxygen (O2) → Acid Rain

To understand how this equation is derived, let's break it down step by step:

1. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is released into the atmosphere during industrial processes, such as burning fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities.

2. Similarly, nitrogen oxides (NOx) are also emitted into the air as a result of burning fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and industrial combustion processes.

3. In the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide (SO2) reacts with oxygen (O2) to form sulfur trioxide (SO3):

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) + Oxygen (O2) → Sulfur trioxide (SO3)

4. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) also react with oxygen (O2) to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2):

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) + Oxygen (O2) → Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

5. Sulfur trioxide (SO3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) then combine with water (H2O) in the atmosphere, forming sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) respectively:

Sulfur trioxide (SO3) + Water (H2O) → Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) + Water (H2O) → Nitric acid (HNO3)

6. These acidic compounds (sulfuric acid and nitric acid) mix with rainwater, resulting in the formation of acid rain.

So, combining all the steps, we get the overall word equation for the formation of acid rain:

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) + Nitrogen oxides (NOx) + Water (H2O) + Oxygen (O2) → Acid Rain

It's important to note that this equation is a simplified representation of the chemical processes involved in acid rain formation. The actual mechanisms are more complex and involve additional reactions and factors such as atmospheric conditions.