Acid rain is more common in areas with higher air pollution.
Acid rain is rain that has been made acidic by air pollutants in the air. The rain absorbs these acidic particles and make the water more acidic. According to the EPA, water has a pH level of 7, which is considered neutral. Pure rain water has a pH level of 5 to 5.5. This means that traditional rainwater is slightly acidic. The pH level of acid rain is 4 which means that acid rain is 10 times more acidic than pure rain water. Creating acid rain for science projects means creating the correct pH level of your solution to use in experiments.
Instructions
1. Measure out two cups of water and place it in a container. Place two tablespoons of vinegar into the container and mix.
2. Test the mixture with pH paper. The pH paper can be purchased at teacher or pool supply stores. The pH of your mixture should be 4.
3. Add a small amount of baking soda or a drop of ammonia if the pH level is below 4. Baking soda and ammonia are considered bases which will increase the pH level of the vinegar and water mixture. Test with pH paper.
4. Add a drop of vinegar to the water mixture if the pH level is above 4. Test with pH paper. Use the baking soda or ammonia and vinegar until the correct pH level has been reached.
5. Use an empty water bottle to simulate rain. The bottle will deliver the acid solution safely to where it needs to be without creating a mess. Using a sewing pin, make many small holes long the side of the water bottle. Place a funnel into the water bottle and add the solution into the bottle. Do not fill completely. Place the lid back on the bottle. Hold the bottle so the acid solution does not come out of the holes until you wish. Hold the bottle over where the rain is to fall. The acid solution will drip out slowly from the small holes. Pressure may be added to the bottle to make the acid come out more quickly. Pressing too hard will make the acid stream out of the bottle.
Tags: acid rain, acid solution, water bottle, with paper, Acid rain