Main Objective:
Students will be able to describe the effects of acid rain on plant growth.
Materials:
Apron, gloves, goggles, 2 flower pots, pipet, potting soil, radish seeds, water solutions with a pH of 3 and 7
Instructional input:
Divide class into groups of two for this activity.
Adapted form Neo Science: Simulating the effects of acid rain.
Procedure:
1.Provide students with two identical flowerpots. Let them label them 1 (pH 3) and 2 (pH 7) Fill with potting soil to about 1 cm below the rim
2.Using the pipet, students should thoroughly moisten the soil of both pots with pure water (pH 7). You can use distilled water.
3.Students should plant 5 radish seeds spaced apart, in each pot. The seeds should be about 2 mm below the soil surface.
4.Place pots under a light source or window and water with distilled water until the plants germinate (about 5 days)
5.Once the plants have germinated, students should start to apply 2- 3 ml of each type of water pH 3 and pH 7 to corresponding pot everyday. Make sure the water touches the leaves like rain.
6.Students should make careful observations of the overall plant and leaf appearance and color, plant height and any physical abnormalities. Results should be recorded in Data table C
Data table C
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Observation of Plants
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Observation of Plants
|
Day
|
Pot treated with pH3
|
Pot treated with pH 7
|
5 (Before treatment)
8
12
16
Students should write up a lab report according to the scientific method. They should include a statement of the problem, hypothesis, procedure (including dependent and independent variables and a control), data, conclusions and validity.
Students should also answer the following questions:
1.Based on your observations, what effect does acid rain have on plant growth and development?
2.What is the purpose of pot 2?