Question
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
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 due to acid rain, people can take the following actions:
1. **Produce energy using water power** - Hydropower is a renewable energy source that does not contribute to acid rain in the same way as fossil fuels.
2. **Use electricity or energy-saving products** - Reducing electricity consumption lowers the demand for energy production, which can reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants.
3. **Create technology to capture sulfur dioxide** - Technologies such as flue gas desulfurization systems can help capture sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants before they enter the atmosphere.
The following options would not contribute to lessening the effects:
- **Stop producing electricity** - While this would reduce emissions entirely, it is not a practical or sustainable solution.
- **Use petroleum instead of coal to produce electricity** - While petroleum may produce fewer sulfur oxides compared to coal, it does not eliminate the problem and may have other environmental impacts.
- **Increase the use of coal in the production of electricity** - This would likely increase sulfur dioxide emissions and worsen the problem of acid rain.
So, the applicable actions are:
- Produce energy using water power
- Use electricity or energy-saving products
- Create technology to capture sulfur dioxide
1. **Produce energy using water power** - Hydropower is a renewable energy source that does not contribute to acid rain in the same way as fossil fuels.
2. **Use electricity or energy-saving products** - Reducing electricity consumption lowers the demand for energy production, which can reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants.
3. **Create technology to capture sulfur dioxide** - Technologies such as flue gas desulfurization systems can help capture sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants before they enter the atmosphere.
The following options would not contribute to lessening the effects:
- **Stop producing electricity** - While this would reduce emissions entirely, it is not a practical or sustainable solution.
- **Use petroleum instead of coal to produce electricity** - While petroleum may produce fewer sulfur oxides compared to coal, it does not eliminate the problem and may have other environmental impacts.
- **Increase the use of coal in the production of electricity** - This would likely increase sulfur dioxide emissions and worsen the problem of acid rain.
So, the applicable actions are:
- Produce energy using water power
- Use electricity or energy-saving products
- Create technology to capture sulfur dioxide