Question

When the statue of Liberty changed color, some officials suggested restoring her back to her original color, but after the public protested against this decision, she was left the way she is. Learn more about it: Borkhataria, C. (2017, June 29th) The changing colors of the statue of liberty. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4652254/The-Statue-Liberty-RED-turned-green.html

Do you think this will happen to other monuments? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes,definitely this will happen to other monuments too.The effect of acid rain and the oxidation reaction is the major cause for the change of colour.

Acid rain:

The unwanted pollutant gases like sulphur dioxide,nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide which is released into the atmospheric air and mixes with the water molecules which is in the form of cloud in the atmosphere. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are capable of easily dissolving with water and it can travel to the longer distance in the atmosphere thereby causing acid rain.

When sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mixed with water it gets converted into sulphuric acid and nitric acid.This is precipitated to the earth as acid rain with bad consequences. Human activities are the major reason for the acid rain.

Oxidation reaction:

Oxidation reaction occurs when an atom gives its electron to the another atom.In the given scenario,the change of colour occurs due to the oxygen in the atmosphere that is in need for electron.

Conclusion:

It is concluded that,acid rain and oxidation reaction is the important issue that has serious bad effect on the monument. Hence the proper prevention should be taken to protect the monuments.