Acid Rain Monitoring Project

Teaching objectives:

• Constructing (c)I./1:
  • Generate scientific questions about the world based on observation
  • Use scientific tools and equipment
  • Use sources of information to support investigation
  • Write and follow procedures
• Reflecting (r)11.1:
  • Evaluate data
  • Show how science applies in real-life context
  • Develop an awareness of the natural world
• Ecosystems (LED)III.5:
  • Describe ways in which humans alter the environment
• Geosphere (EG) V.1:
  • Describe and identify surface features using maps (extension activity)
• Atmosphere and Weather (Eaw) V.3:
  • Describe health effects of polluted air

(1) Read article(s) on acid rain you find on the Internet and discuss.

(2) Think about the questions" "Where does acid rain fall the most?" "Is there a pattern or does it fall at random?" "Are pH levels higher at school or at home?" Write a hypothesis that addresses these questions.

(3) Work in groups of four (two can record school data; two can record home data).

(4) Use a clean collection container (beaker or film caniester).

(5) After each precipitation event during the monitoring project, use pH paper to record the pH of the precipitation both at school and at home. Include the daily weather conditions and temperature.

(6) Post your data on our site by clicking here

(7) Check other data at http://earth.simmons.edu/acidrain/larson.html and http://www.coollessons.org

(8) Compare your data to at least six other locations.

Lab Report:

(1) Include your hypothesis and your raw data table.

(2) Create a line graph of the pH levels recorded by your group. Your graphic will have two lines, home and school.

(3) Choose six other locations from the web sites above. Make a bar graph using a program such as Microsoft Excel to compare your data with the data from at least six other locations. Pick a variety of locations.

(4) Create a map of the Unite States, marking the pH of the locations you have chosen.

(5) Write a conclusion. Do your observations support your hypothesis? If you find a pattern to acid rainfall, explain.