Question

Burning of fossil fuels is an important source of the pollutant – ‘oxides of sulphur’ responsible for acid rain.
State what are ‘fossil fuels’. Name the principal fossil fuels. State why sulphur dioxide is emitted on burning a fossil fuel. Give a balanced equation for the same.

Answer 1

Fossil fuels: “Fuels obtained from fossils i.e. organic remains of plants and animals.” Principal fossil fuels : coal, petroleum [oil] and natural gas.
On burning fossil fuels → SO, is produced from sulphur impurities present in coal.
S + O₂ →SO, in power plants.