Power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.

Can coal make acid rain?

From the experiment you should understand that coal impurities such as sulfur, producing gas sulfur oxide reacts with water in the atmosphere and come down Earth as acid rain. This is how the coal-fired power plants harm the environment!

What happens when burning coal?

All living things—even people—are made up of carbon. But when coal burns, its carbon combines with oxygen in the air and forms carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas, but in the atmosphere, it is one of several gases that can trap the earth’s heat.