Which of the following gases in the atmosphere is/are responsible for acid rains ? 1, Oxides of sulphur 2, Oxides of nitrogen 3, Oxides of carbon Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Acid rain is primarily caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere [2]. These gases react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form strong acids, specifically sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) [2]. While carbon dioxide (CO2) is an oxide of carbon that dissolves in rainwater to form weak carbonic acid, this process is responsible for the natural slight acidity of rain (pH ~5.6) rather than the phenomenon of 'acid rain' [4]. Acid rain typically refers to precipitation with a pH significantly lower than 5.6, often between 4.2 and 4.4, driven by industrial pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides [4]. Therefore, only oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are considered the primary pollutants responsible for the environmental issue known as acid rain.

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 6: Geomorphic Movements > Anthropogenic Solution Weathering > p. 90
2. [2] https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain
3. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 6: Geomorphic Movements > Anthropogenic Solution Weathering > p. 91