nitrogen dioxides combine with atmospheric moisture. The term 'acid rain' is slightly

misleading, and would be more accurate if deemed 'enhanced acid rain', as rain occurs

acidic naturally. Acidity is measured on what is know as the pH scale. Fourteen is the

most basic, seven is the most neutral, and zero is the most acidic. Pure rain has a pH level

of 7, which is exactly neutral. The acidity of rain is determined by the pH of pure water in

reaction with atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, resulting in carbonic acid.

These particles partly dissociate to produce hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions. A

bicarbonate atom is an ion formed by one hydrogen atom, one carbon at atom, and three

oxygen atoms, and is very effective in natural waters at neutralizing hydrogen ions and

reducing acidity. The dissociation results in the natural acidity of pure rain, which is

moderately acidic at a pH of 5.7. Rain less than 5.7 is considered 'acid rain', meaning it

has reacted with acidic atmospheric gases other than carbon dioxide, such as sulfur

dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is produced by electric utilities, industrial,

energy from sunlight, in the form of photons, hit ozone molecules (O3) to form free

the lake it can become more effective. Other methods include dispersal from helicopters

further reactions which release new hydroxyl radicals to generate more sulfuric acid. The

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