Acid precipitation can manifest in several ways, specifically as different types of wet deposition. Three common forms are:
- Rain
- Snow
- Sleet
These forms are part of what is known as wet deposition, where acidic compounds fall to the Earth dissolved in precipitation. The provided information states, "Acid rain comes in many forms: rain, snow, sleet, hail, and fog (wet deposition), and as acid particles, aerosols, and gases (dry deposition)."
While often broadly referred to as "acid rain," acid precipitation specifically relates to the wet forms, which include not just rain, but also snow and sleet, as well as other forms like hail and fog mentioned in the reference. These acidic elements are dissolved within the water molecules that fall to the ground.
Wet deposition is distinct from dry deposition, which involves acidic particles and gases settling from the atmosphere onto surfaces. The question specifically asks about precipitation, which aligns with the wet deposition forms mentioned.
