Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Acid rain occurs when gaseous air pollutants react with atmospheric water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acidic compounds before falling to the ground.
Step 2: Detailed Explation:
The primary industrial air pollutants responsible for acid rain are:
1. Sulfur Dioxide (\( \text{SO}_2 \)): Released primarily from coal-fired power plants, metal smelters, and industrial boilers.
In the atmosphere, \( \text{SO}_2 \) is oxidized to form sulfur trioxide (\( \text{SO}_3 \)), which reacts with rainwater to form sulfuric acid (\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)):
\[ \text{SO}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \]
2. Nitrogen Oxides (\( \text{NO}_x \)): Released primarily from vehicle exhaust emissions and fossil fuel combustion.
These gases react with water vapor in the air to form nitric acid (\( \text{HNO}_3 \)):
\[ 3\text{NO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 2\text{HNO}_3 + \text{NO} \]
These strong acids lower the pH of precipitation below the normal background value of approximately 5.6.
Acid rain damages forest foliage, increases soil acidity (leaching out essential plant nutrients like calcium and magnesium), and causes the acidification of aquatic ecosystems.
Step 3: Fil Answer
Thus, the pair of gases that contribute to acid rain is Sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides.