How Changes to the Environment have an Effect on Living Things

Objectives

To see the causes and harmful effects of acid rain.

Resources

Five glass slides | Petroleum jelly | Marker pen | Magnifying glass | Lemon juice

Today's Lesson

Main Activity

Explain that acid rain is rainwater that has been made too acidic by certain types of air pollution, or harmful substances that are put in the air. Gases like carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide are released into the atmosphere by cars, airplanes, factories, and power plants. These gases rise and mix in the atmosphere with the water droplets and cause acid rain. To find out more, conduct this experiment.

Number the slides 1 to 5 with a marker pen and cover the other side with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Choose five different places outside to leave the slides, where they will be left undisturbed. Predict where you think the most polluted pace will be. Leave these slides in place for a week, before you continue with the activity. After one week, carefully collect the slides without touching the petroleum jelly. Examine using a magnifying glass or hand lens if you have one. Can you see particles of dirt? Can you count the number of particles on a slide? Which was the most polluted area? Write up your experiment.

Watch the video on acid rain:

Take two of the bean plants that were planted in Week 1. Water one seedling with tap water and the other with lemon juice (an acid). Spray some of the leaves with the lemon juice, as well as putting it in the soil. Predict what you think might happen to the plants. Observe and repeat over the next few days.

Ask your child to write up the experiment and draw the difference between the two plants. Discuss how acid rain might be similar to this experiment.

Citations

[1] www.youtube-nocookie.com