What effect does acid rain have on buildings?

Acid rain has a detrimental effect on buildings, primarily due to its chemical composition, which includes sulfuric and nitric acids formed from pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. When acid rain falls on structures, particularly those made of limestone, marble, or concrete, it reacts chemically with the minerals in these materials, leading to a process called erosion.

This chemical erosion weakens the structural integrity of buildings over time, as the acidic components can dissolve the calcium carbonate in limestone and marble, resulting in surface deterioration, pitting, and increased vulnerability to further weathering. Therefore, the selection of the answer indicating that acid rain causes erosion and damage accurately captures the harmful impact of acid rain on buildings.