How do nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide contribute to acid rain?

Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide contribute to acid rain primarily through their reaction with water vapor in the atmosphere. When these gases are released into the air, they undergo chemical reactions with water to form nitric acid and sulfuric acid, respectively. This process happens when nitrogen oxides interact with moisture, leading to the formation of nitric acid (HNO₃), while sulfur dioxide reacts with water to produce sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃), which can further oxidize to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

Once these acids are formed, they can mix with rainwater, resulting in precipitation that has a lower pH, which is characteristic of acid rain. This acid rain can then fall to the ground, impacting ecosystems, soil, and water bodies by increasing acidity and leading to harmful effects on plants, aquatic life, and infrastructure.

The other options do not accurately describe the mechanism by which nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide contribute to acid rain. Evaporation and condensation of these gases do not directly cause acidity in rainwater. The reformation from acid solutions does not tackle the initial atmospheric reactions. Similarly, neutralizing existing acids does not align with the role of these gases, as they primarily result in the formation of acids rather