Acids, Bases & Acid Rain: Not So Neutral Views
Students explore acids and basesCopyright https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemistry#/media/File:Chemicals_in_flasks.jpg
Students are introduced to acids and bases, and the environmental problem of acid rain. They explore ways to use indicators to distinguish between acids and bases. Students also conduct a simple experiment to model and discuss the harmful effects of acid rain on our living and non-living environment, as well as how engineers address acid rain. Students can also learn how persuasive techniques are used to develop an argument, and create an environmental case study.
Environmental and chemical engineers examine pollutants to find the substance's pH, which helps them determine the kind of impact it may have on human health and the environment. For example, the effects of acid rain include damage to water, wildlife, plants, forests, crops, buildings, statues, bridges and vehicles. Reinforce the students' learning of the effects of Acid Rain through the activity, Acid Rain Effects. Knowing the pH of pollutants also helps to decipher the initiating chemical and environmental causes behind a pollution problem. Students can learn how to distinguish between acids and bases in the activity, Acid (and Base) Rainbows, to learn more about the pH. In response, engineers develop useful technologies to alleviate pollution sources, such as catalytic converters that remove certain poisonous gases from vehicle exhaust fumes. Have students expand their knowledge by constructing an environmental case study to persuade others about such potential dangers in the activity Is That Legal? A Case of Acid Rain.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe some general characteristics and common examples of acidic, basic and neutral solutions.
- Understand that engineers use acids and bases in a variety of ways.
- Identify cause-effect relationships with acid rain and the environment.