Which gas is primarily described as a colorless, corrosive gas that damages plants and animals?

Which gas is primarily described as a colorless, corrosive gas that damages plants and animals?

• A. Sulfur Dioxide
• B. Nitrogen Dioxide
• C. Ozone
• D. Carbon Dioxide

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing which gas is both colorless and corrosive and known for harming living tissue. Sulfur dioxide fits this description: it is a colorless gas that dissolves in water to form sulfurous acid, making it corrosive. This acidity can damage plant leaves and tissues and irritate animal lungs, and it’s a well-known pollutant from burning sulfur-containing fuels as well as from volcanic activity. The other gases don’t match as cleanly. Nitrogen dioxide isn’t colorless—it’s a reddish-brown gas and still harmful. Ozone is a powerful oxidant and harmful to living tissues, but it’s not typically described simply as a colorless corrosive gas. Carbon dioxide is colorless but not corrosive in the sense implied here and doesn’t damage plants and animals in the same manner.

The main idea is recognizing which gas is both colorless and corrosive and known for harming living tissue. Sulfur dioxide fits this description: it is a colorless gas that dissolves in water to form sulfurous acid, making it corrosive. This acidity can damage plant leaves and tissues and irritate animal lungs, and it’s a well-known pollutant from burning sulfur-containing fuels as well as from volcanic activity.

The other gases don’t match as cleanly. Nitrogen dioxide isn’t colorless—it’s a reddish-brown gas and still harmful. Ozone is a powerful oxidant and harmful to living tissues, but it’s not typically described simply as a colorless corrosive gas. Carbon dioxide is colorless but not corrosive in the sense implied here and doesn’t damage plants and animals in the same manner.