CHEMISTRY 253

Spring, 2015 - Dixon

Group Assignment #5

Open Book – But 30 min. Time Limit

Group Names _________________________________________________

Sulfur/Aerosol/Cloud Chemistry Problems:

1.  In the 1980s a large copper smelter was located in Southeastern Arizona which emitted large quantities of SO₂ into relatively clean air.  Say that the background aerosol consisted of moderate levels of coarse dust particles and low levels of an accumulation mode of aerosols originating from natural and pollution sources.

a) Describe one pathway by which the sulfur from the SO₂ can impact the background aerosols.

b) Which aerosol mode(s) would you expect the sulfur to end up in based on your path in a?  Explain how you know this, and what, if any, factors affect what mode(s) it ends up in. (12 pts)

2.  Nitric acid is a strong acid formed from an atmospheric reaction and can affect precipitation acidity. Give a reaction in which its acidity is neutralized.  What is a source of the compound which neutralizes its acidity?  (8 pts)