Acid Precipitation

Definition

Acid precipitation refers to rain, snow, or fog that has a low pH value due to the presence of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. It occurs when emissions from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, react with atmospheric moisture.

Analogy

Imagine you're hosting a party and accidentally spill some soda on your friend's favorite plant. The soda acts like acid precipitation as it can harm the plant due to its acidic nature.

Related terms

Acid Rain: Acid rain is a type of acid precipitation that specifically refers to rainfall with a pH level below 5.6.

Fossil Fuel Combustion: This term refers to the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production and releases pollutants that contribute to acid precipitation.

pH Scale: The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. A lower number indicates higher acidity, while a higher number indicates higher alkalinity.