Which gases are formed in car engines that contribute to acid rain?

The correct response highlights the role of oxides of nitrogen in the formation of acid rain. When fossil fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, are burned in car engines, they produce emissions that include nitrogen oxides (NOx). These nitrogen oxides can react with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form nitric acid (HNO3). This process contributes to the formation of acid rain, which can have harmful effects on the environment, including soil and water quality, as well as damage to vegetation and infrastructure.

While sulfur oxides can also contribute to acid rain formation, they primarily originate from the burning of sulfur-containing fossil fuels like coal, which is less associated with car emissions compared to nitrogen oxides. Carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases primarily involved in climate change, and hydrocarbons can contribute to photochemical smog but are not directly associated with acid rain formation. Therefore, the focus on oxides of nitrogen is specifically tied to their significant impact on the acid rain phenomenon.