Question

What are the harmful effects of oxides of sulphur?

Answer 1

Harmful effects of oxides of sulphur:

(a) It causes headaches, vomiting and even death due to respiratory failure.

(b) It destroys vegetation and weakens building materials/constructions.

(c) It mixes with smoke and fog to form smog, which is very harmful.

It is oxidised by atmospheric oxygen into sulphur trioxide (SO₃) which combines with water to form sulphuric acid.

2SO_2(g) + O_2(g) →2SO_3(g)

SO_3(g) + H₂O_(l) → H₂SO_4(l)