Name _________________

Period # ____

Date ____________

Acid Rain in the U.S.

Air Pollution Virtual Lab
Objectives: Define acid rain and describe its causes. Test the pH of rainwater samples and plot the
information on a map of the United States. Describe the relationship between the occurrences of acid rain
and sulfur dioxide emissions in the United States.
Procedure:
1. Access the following link:
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/CT11/CT11.html
2. Read the information on the left of the screen to answer the Prelab questions below.
3. Now that you know more about acid rain, you are ready to collect some data! Click a Test Tube Holder to
select a set of test tubes to test. Click a Test Tube to test the pH of the water sample.
4. Enter the state's pH value into the map. To do this, click a state, then click the color in the legend that
corresponds to the state's pH value. If you do not have a printer, record the pH values and SO2 values for each
state on the attached map. (Use the color key on the right side of the map to identify the pH of states that have
already been tested. There is no data for Alaska or Hawaii.)
5. Repeat steps 1-3 for all the states' rainwater samples then use your data to answer questions #7-12 below.
Prelab Questions:
1. What is acid rain?
Acid rain is any form of precipitation with a pH less than normal rainwater (usually 5.6)
2. How is it formed?
It is formed when sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, as gases or fine particles in the
atmosphere, combine with water vapour and precipitate as sulphuric acid or nitric acid in
rain, snow, or fog.
3. How does acid rain affect the environment?
Acid rain kills aquatic life, and vegetation.
4. Besides the effect on the environment, does acid rain has any other harmful effects?
It can have harmful effects on human health.
5. What two air pollutants are associated with the formation of acid rain?
Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3).

6. What are the sources of these air pollutants?

Emissions from volcanoes and from biological processes that occur on the land, in wetlands, and in the oceans
contribute acid-producing gases to the atmosphere and Industrial factories, power-generating plants and
vehicles
Data Analysis:
7. According to your pH test result, where in the U.S. is acid rain most severe?
In the western U.S.
8. Sulfur dioxide is the main air pollutant associated with acid rain.
True
9. Which state in the U.S. release the most sulfur dioxide annually?
Ohio.
Conclusion:
10. Based on your analysis, is there a relationship between a state's sulfur dioxide emissions and the
average pH of its rain water?
I believe there might be a slight correspondence between the two, but not a definite relationship.
11. How might you explain the fact that Vermont and New Hampshire, states with very low sulfur dioxide
emission, experience acid levels that are among the most severe in the country?
The longer pollutants are in the air, the greater the chance for it to precipitate as acid rain. For instance, the wind
could carry these pollutants across the country and there it could precipitate as acid rain.
12. Discuss at least three possible ways to reduce acid rain.
1. We could use cleaner fuels.
2. Use less energy overall.
3. Try to use other sources of energy. (i.e. hydro-electricity, wind energy etc)