Chemical Consequences of Burning Fossil Fuels

Future scientists are introduced to the chemical consequences of burning fossil fuels, learning that fossil fuel combustion leads to the formation of oxides of three nonmetals: carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, all of which end up in the atmosphere and water. They explore how when each of these oxides are added to water, an acid forms, in addition to threatning wildlife in our streams, lakes, and rivers, acids react with building materials as carbonate containing rocks and some metals.