Environmental Chemistry - Result Question 37
15. The higher concentration of which gas in air can cause stiffness of flower buds?
(a) $SO _2$
(b) $CO$
(c) $CO _2$
(d) $NO_2$
(2019 Main, 11 Jan II)
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Answer:
Correct Answer: 15. (d)
Solution:
Organic pigments (colourents) present in flower buds retain their colour in the oxidised form of the pigment as their nature is itself oxidising in nature. When they come in contact with moist $SO _2$ (acid rain) of higher concentration, they get decoloured and stiff.
$$ \begin{alignedat} SO_2 + H_2O & \longrightarrow H_2SO_4 \ H _2 SO _4 & \longrightarrow H^{+}+HSO _4^{-} \ HSO _4^{-} & \longrightarrow H^{+}+SO _4^{2-} \end{aligned} $$
Due to the release of $H^{+}$ ion (acid), the flower gets decoloured and stiff.
As a result, the flower eventually falls off from the plant.
BETA
