ACID RAIN
Where does acid rain fall the most? Is there a pattern to where it falls
or is it random?
An instrument to test for the pH of acid rain samples
If the distribution of acid rain in the continental United States
follows some pattern, you should be able to make a hypothesis predicting
the area you think more acid rain (shown by a higher pH) will fall. Then
gather data to confirm or reject your hypothesis. Please follow these steps:
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Refer to this map of the United States. Don't
click on it - it's just a picture!
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Please make a hypothesis in the form "X should have stronger acid rain
(lower pH) than Y" where X is a state, or a part of a state you want to
investigate) and Y is another area of the same size.
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Make a data table using a spreadsheet. Make your variables state and
pH. Test at least four sites per state. Put your hypothesis above the data
table.
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Use the University of Illinois' NADP/NTN
Acid Rain Site List Map to locate sites which test acid rain.
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Click on a state you wish to use as part of your investigation.
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Click on a site (one of the black dots) you wish to test.
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In the data table, record the site (station) name.
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Scroll down to and click on the "Seasonal Data".
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Choose a start year and an end year (note that some data is at least
6 months old, so choosing last year might be a good idea - example: 1999
in one box, 2000 in the next box).
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For Type of Data choose mg/L
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For Report Format choose HTML Table
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For Seasons to Return choose All
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For Intended Use, Education at the right choose K-12. In the
box write "Educational Research".
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Click the "Get Data" button
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The next page is a "Data Request Authorization Form".
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Scroll down and click on the "Submit" button.
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You should now be on the "Seasonal Precipitation" Summary
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You may have to scroll to the right to find the seasonal pH value. There
are two pH values, one taken from instruments measuring acid rain in the
field and one taken from instruments measuring acid rain brought into the
lab. Wheich reading will you use? Why?
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Enter the pH into your data table.
Graph the results for state, season, year and pH.
What is your conclusion? Does acid rain fall at random or is there a pattern?
If there is a pattern, what is it?
Last Updated 9/01/01
Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Richard Levine
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