The natural pH of rainwater is 5.6. The acidity of rainwater is caused by the dissolution of (TRUE OR FALSE)

boric acid
sulfuric acid
carbonic acid
calcium carbonate
calcium oxide
nitric acid

The correct answer is "none of these"; however, that isn't one of the possibilities. The acidity of rainwater is caused by the dissolution of CO2 which PRODUCES carbonic acid. Another source of acidity in some locales is the dissolution of NOx(NO, NO2, N2O4, N2O3, N2O5) which produces HNO3 or a mixture of HNO3 and HNO2.

thank you very much

TRUE

The acidity of rainwater is indeed caused by the dissolution of certain acids. In this case, the correct answer is sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, and nitric acid.

To understand how to get the answer, we can look at the components commonly found in rainwater and their potential contributions to acidity:

1. Boric acid: While boric acid can be found in some rainwater samples, it is typically in very low concentrations and does not significantly contribute to acidity.

2. Sulfuric acid: This is a major contributor to the acidity of rainwater. It is formed when sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas, primarily released during the combustion of fossil fuels, reacts with atmospheric moisture.

3. Carbonic acid: This acid is formed when carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere dissolves in rainwater. Carbon dioxide is naturally present in the air and is also released by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

4. Calcium carbonate: This compound does not directly contribute to the acidity of rainwater. In fact, it acts as a neutralizing agent, helping to reduce acidity in bodies of water by buffering the effects of acidic compounds.

5. Calcium oxide (also known as quicklime): Although it can react with water to form calcium hydroxide, which is an alkaline substance, it is not a common contributor to rainwater acidity.

6. Nitric acid: Nitric acid is another important contributor to the acidity of rainwater. It forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx), released from sources like vehicle emissions and industrial processes, react with atmospheric moisture.

In conclusion, the dissolution of sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, and nitric acid is responsible for the acidity of rainwater, making the statement "The acidity of rainwater is caused by the dissolution of boric acid" false.