pH, acids, alkalines, and the environment

As a part of our pollution study, we learned how air pollution can effect the environment through acid rain. We discussed possible causes of the pollution in the air, and the students listed car exhaust and factories as the top sources.

To do our experiments, we had samples of melted snow, tap water, bottle water, and vinegar water to test with our pH strips. pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline a solution is. We discussed how 7 is the number you want to have, if you want things to be in balance, and that the pH scale is from 1 to 14. The melted snow was closest to 7.

Marcus told his group, "and they tell us eating snow is bad for us." We haven't discussed what else could be in the snow yet, but we did discover that it is free of acids.

Using a Youtube video we saw the effects of acid rain on some of the monuments in Washington DC. Students were surprised rain could make pock marks, calcify sandstone, and cause copper to leach onto marble.

Steven's professor, Greg Bartus, was here to take part in our science lab. Next Wednesday, students will bring in samples from home: milk, soda, and other liquids, to test. He will also explain what pH is, and how scientists came up with the pH scale.