Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: amalia on 11/12/2019 16:05:05

Title: Does smoke dissolve in rain water?
Post by: amalia on 11/12/2019 16:05:05

Molefi would like to know:
Does smoke from burnt plastic (or smoke in general) dissolve in rain water? That is, when there’s smoke and it's raining at the same time.
What do you think?

Title: Re: Does smoke dissolve in rain water?
Post by: Janus on 11/12/2019 16:22:30

"Smoke" is composed of a number of different gases and particulate matter.  The exact components depends on what is burning.
Whether or not a given component dissolves in rain depends on whether or not it is water soluble.  For example, burning plant material can produce potash which is a mix of potassium salts, which make up some of that particulate matter, and are water soluble.  Gases like C02, and Nitrogen oxides can also dissolve in water.  Nitrogen oxides can be a particular problem as they, when dissolved by rain, produce "acid rain".

Title: Re: Does smoke dissolve in rain water?
Post by: Bored chemist on 11/12/2019 19:11:58

Even things that don't dissolve will be washed out to some extent.