The oxides of which of the following pairs of elements cause acid rain?

Options

A. Sulphur and nitrogen
B. Sodium and nitrogen
C. Magnesium and sulphur
D. Carbon and phosphorus

Answer

To answer the question about which pairs of elements cause acid rain, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Acid Rain
Acid rain is a type of precipitation that has a lower pH than normal rainwater, making it acidic. This acidity is primarily caused by the presence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere.

### Step 2: Identify the Pollutants
The main pollutants that contribute to acid rain are:
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)

### Step 3: Analyze the Given Options
We need to evaluate the pairs of elements provided in the question:
1. Sulfur and Nitrogen
2. Sodium and Nitrogen
3. Magnesium and Sulfur
4. Carbon and Phosphorus

### Step 4: Match Elements to Pollutants
- **Sulfur and Nitrogen**: Both produce oxides (SO₂ and NOₓ) that lead to acid rain.
- **Sodium and Nitrogen**: Sodium does not produce an oxide that contributes to acid rain.
- **Magnesium and Sulfur**: Magnesium does not contribute to acid rain.
- **Carbon and Phosphorus**: Carbon oxides can contribute to acid rain, but phosphorus does not.

### Step 5: Conclusion
The correct answer is the pair **Sulfur and Nitrogen**, as both elements produce oxides that cause acid rain.

### Final Answer
The oxides of the elements that cause acid rain are **Sulfur and Nitrogen**.

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