Question
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Acid rain is rain that contains acids. The acids in this type of rain eventually end up in lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Acids decrease the pH of freshwater sources. Changes in pH may affect the organisms that live in lakes and rivers and the quality of groundwater, a source of drinking water.
Sulfur oxides, including sulfur dioxide, are chemicals that contribute to the formation of acid rain. Sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas are burned to produce electricity.
What can people do to lessen the effect of energy production on the pH of freshwater sources? Check all that apply.
stop producing electricity
produce energy using water power
use electricity or energy-saving products
create technology to capture sulfur dioxide
use petroleum instead of coal to produce electricity
increase the use of coal in the production of electricity
Acid rain is rain that contains acids. The acids in this type of rain eventually end up in lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Acids decrease the pH of freshwater sources. Changes in pH may affect the organisms that live in lakes and rivers and the quality of groundwater, a source of drinking water.
Sulfur oxides, including sulfur dioxide, are chemicals that contribute to the formation of acid rain. Sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas are burned to produce electricity.
What can people do to lessen the effect of energy production on the pH of freshwater sources? Check all that apply.
stop producing electricity
produce energy using water power
use electricity or energy-saving products
create technology to capture sulfur dioxide
use petroleum instead of coal to produce electricity
increase the use of coal in the production of electricity
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To lessen the effect of energy production on the pH of freshwater sources, people can consider the following actions:
1. **Produce energy using water power** - Hydropower is a renewable energy source that does not produce sulfur oxides, thereby helping to mitigate acid rain.
2. **Use electricity or energy-saving products** - Reducing electricity consumption can decrease the demand for fossil fuels, leading to lower emissions of sulfur dioxide.
3. **Create technology to capture sulfur dioxide** - Developing and implementing technology that captures sulfur dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere can help reduce the formation of acid rain.
Actions that would not help in reducing the effects of energy production on the pH of freshwater sources include:
- **Stop producing electricity** - While this would eliminate the problem, it is not a practical or viable solution for society's energy needs.
- **Use petroleum instead of coal to produce electricity** - While petroleum might produce fewer emissions than coal, it still contributes to acid rain.
- **Increase the use of coal in the production of electricity** - This would likely worsen the situation as coal burning releases more sulfur dioxide compared to other energy sources.
Therefore, the applicable actions to lessen the impact are 2, 3, and 4.
1. **Produce energy using water power** - Hydropower is a renewable energy source that does not produce sulfur oxides, thereby helping to mitigate acid rain.
2. **Use electricity or energy-saving products** - Reducing electricity consumption can decrease the demand for fossil fuels, leading to lower emissions of sulfur dioxide.
3. **Create technology to capture sulfur dioxide** - Developing and implementing technology that captures sulfur dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere can help reduce the formation of acid rain.
Actions that would not help in reducing the effects of energy production on the pH of freshwater sources include:
- **Stop producing electricity** - While this would eliminate the problem, it is not a practical or viable solution for society's energy needs.
- **Use petroleum instead of coal to produce electricity** - While petroleum might produce fewer emissions than coal, it still contributes to acid rain.
- **Increase the use of coal in the production of electricity** - This would likely worsen the situation as coal burning releases more sulfur dioxide compared to other energy sources.
Therefore, the applicable actions to lessen the impact are 2, 3, and 4.