ACID RAIN

Sameen Sohail Y11-5

17
th
September 2013
Safety Issues
None
Material Availability
Readily available or can be easily purchased at a grocery store.
Approximate Time Required to Complete the Project
One day to collect data;
Another day to write results;
Prepare the science fair display.
Objective
To observe the effect of an acid on chalk to draw conclusions about how acid rain can cause
rocks to erode
Materials and Equipment
2 small clear drinking glasses
Masking tape
Pen
1 cup vinegar
Measuring cup
2 pieces of white chalk
Background Information
All rain has some acid. However, in places where large amounts of smoke are released into
the air, gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are released from smoke into the
air. In the air, these acidic gases become water droplets that make up clouds. Then these
acids are released in the form of rain back to the earth. Acid rain harms the environment
by killing seeds and eggs of many plants and animals. It also wears away rocks.
In this project, the effect of acid rain is simulated by the acid, vinegar. Chalk is a soft rock
made from limestone. This investigation will show in a short time what acid rain can do to
rocks over a long period of time.
Terms, Concepts, and Questions to Start Background Research
Terms
Acid: a chemical substance that can cause erosion
Acid rain: rain that contains a significant amount of acid usually in the form of sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from smoke in the environment
Erosion: the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by the natural actions
of wind or water
Concepts
Vinegar is an acid. Chalk is made from a soft rock called limestone. Gases from smoke are
released into the air. In the air, the acidic gases become water droplets which return to the
earth as rain.
Research Questions
What gases does smoke release?
Where does smoke come from?
How does the gas from smoke form into water droplets?
What harm does acid rain cause?
Experimental Procedure
1. Gather the necessary materials.
2. Label the first glass Water and the second glass Vinegar.
3. Pour one cup of water in the glass labeled Water. Pour one cup of vinegar in the
glass labeled Vinegar.
4. Stand a piece of chalk in each of the glasses so that half of the chalk is in the liquid
and half of it is out of the liquid. Place both glasses in a safe place overnight.
5. The next day, look at the glasses. Notice the difference between the two pieces of
chalk. Record the results.