Activity Overview
Students will collect rainwater and measure its acidity.
They will use the rainwater to determine the effect that acid rain has on limestone.
Before the Activity
Review the attached Teacher Edition PDF file
Make copies of the Student Edition PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Students will:
Collect rainwater and measure its acidity.
Use the rainwater to determine the effect that acid rain has on limestone.
Use the CBL 2™ and a pH probe to collect data and a graphing calculator to display and analyze data.
Directions:
Distribute the student activity sheets
Follow the procedures as outlined
After the Activity
Students can investigate how the level of acidity of acid rain affects limestone by repeating the experiment using simulated rainwater with different pH values. Add enough vinegar to distilled water to prepare solutions with pH values of 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5.
Have them repeat the experiment for each of these solutions and compare the results. Students also can collect rainwater over an extended period and determine if the acidity changes over time.