Question

The acid that is believed to be mainly responsible for the damage of Taj Mahal is ______.

Options

• sulphuric acid

• hydrofluoric acid

• phosphoric acid

• hydrochloric acid

Answer 1

The acid that is believed to be mainly responsible for the damage to the Taj Mahal is sulphuric acid.

Explanation:

Air pollutants such as SO₂ and NO_x are released into the atmosphere as a result of various human activities. When these pollutants combine and react with water vapours in the atmosphere, they produce more acidic pollutants.

\[\ce{2SO2 + O2 -> 2SO3}\]

\[\ce{SO3 + H2O -> H2SO4}\]

This H₂SO₄ formed reacts with CaCO₃ of the Taj Mahal and is responsible for its damage.

\[\ce{CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CaSO4 + H2O + CO2}\]