Acid rain is like regular rain, but it's a bit sour, just like lemon juice! It happens when pollution from cars, factories, and power plants mixes with water in the air. This creates a special kind of rain that can be harmful to plants, animals, and even buildings.
Here's how it works:
- Pollution: When we burn fuels like coal and oil, they release harmful gases into the air.
- Mixing with water: These gases mix with water vapor in the atmosphere, forming a weak acid.
- Acid rain: When this acidic water falls to the ground as rain, snow, or fog, it's called acid rain.
Acid rain can be harmful because it can:
- Damage forests: It can make trees weak and even kill them.
- Harm fish: It can make lakes and rivers too acidic for fish to survive.
- Damage buildings: It can erode stone and make buildings look old and worn out.
We can help reduce acid rain by:
- Using less energy: Turning off lights when we leave a room or using public transportation instead of driving.
- Choosing cleaner energy sources: Using renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.
- Recycling: This helps to reduce the amount of pollution created when new things are made.
