Acid rain refers to precipitation in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or fog that contains unusually high amounts of acidic components, primarily sulfuric and nitric acids. It is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) into the atmosphere, mainly from human activities such as burning fossil fuels in power plants, factories, and vehicles. These gases react with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds, which then fall to the earth’s surface as acid rain. Acid rain has significant environmental impacts. It lowers the pH of soil, making it less fertile and harming plant life. Forests are particularly vulnerable, as acid rain can damage leaves, limit nutrient uptake, and weaken trees, making them more susceptible to disease and extreme weather.