Rates of reaction investigation in to marble and limestone weathering

... Rates of reaction Background information A church was built on a hill; it was mainly made of marble and limestone. In 200 years the walls started to crack, and statues and carvings were not recognisable. It is believed that the cause of the reaction is acid rain. In the area around the church, factories, vehicles and power stations all release acidic gases, which dissolve in rainwater. One of the substances that cause acidic rain is sulphur dioxide; factories burn fuel containing this gas. When released, the sulphur dioxide reacts with water droplets. This makes an acid called sulphuric acid. However nitrogen oxides also cause acidic rain, acid rain is H2O, which has been reacted with nitrogen oxides or sulphur dioxide. The chemical name of limestone and marble is calcium carbonate. This reacts slowly with acids releasing carbon dioxide. This is the process of chemical weathering, which has affected the church. Problem / aim The problem is to

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