Acid Rain

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In this chemistry demonstration, acid rain is simulated in a petri dish. Sodium sulfite (NaSO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) are mixed to create sulfur dioxide gas (SO2), which is a common byproduct of industrial processes. In the air, this gas mixes with rainwater (H2O) and then with oxygen (O2) to produce sulfuric acid (H2SO4). In the petri dish, this same reaction occurs and "acid rain" is produced. The pH change of each of the reactants and products is shown by a few drops of bromothymol blue--a common pH indicator. This activity is part of the Environmental Chemistry unit in OMSI's Chemistry Lab. Materials estimates are for 100 uses. For safety reasons, this activity works best as a demonstration for younger audiences.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 14 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration, Experiment/Lab Activity, Simulation
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Plastic petri dish with lid (keep two on hand)
  • Four 30-ml dropper bottles
  • Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite) (keep 200 g on hand)
  • 1M HCl (hydrochloric acid) (keep 100 ml on hand)
  • concentrated HCl (keep 100 ml on hand)
  • Two plastic 500-ml storage bottles
  • One plastic 125-ml storage bottle
  • Bromthymol blue sodium salt (keep 5 g on hand)
  • One white plastic mat
  • Cloth dish towel
  • Large plastic bowl

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Atmosphere
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Acids and Bases
    • States of Matter
      • Gases

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation