Acid Rain Lab
Collaborators- The whole class
Abstract- An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different levels of pH on samples of grass. Different samples of acidic water, with pH's of 1,4, were poured onto the samples of grass over a period of two weeks and each got a total of 100 ml of water. After the two weeks, it was observed that the grass that was hit with the more acidic samples were short, yellow, and had a more brittle and still feel to it. The roots had the same characteristics as the blades. However, the samples hit with the less acidic water were tall, green and had a soft and flexible texture. The roots had the same characteristics as the blades. This data proved the hypothesis by showing that the grass was harmed by the acidic water.
Problem- According to National Geographic, acid rain is a problem that arises out of the burning of fossil fuels, causing rainwater to become acidic. Simulate the effects of acid rain and observe its effects on the growth of plant life.
Hypothesis- Higher concentrations of acid will hinder the growth of plant and damage its health because the acidity will lower the amount of nutrients in the soil and also affect the plant's ability to absorb nutrients through its roots.
Parts of the Experiment- Control Group- Plants watered with distilled water
Experimental Group- Plants watered with salt solution
Independent Variable- Concentration of acid solution
Dependent Variable- Plant growth/Wealth
Materials- 2 liter bottles containing grass (or containers, grass seed and soil if grass is not grown)
Distilled water
Acid solutions
Paper and pencil to record observations
Methods- 1.) Grow grass in at least 3 2 liter containers for several weeks to allow the grass to establish its roots.
2.) Make the different water samples of 100 ml, one being 2 pH, one being 4 pH and one being pure distilled water.
3.) Pour solutions 100 ml of water into each container, one getting the 2 pH solution, one getting the 4 pH solution, and one getting distilled water. Do this every three or four days (to keep the soil moist) for 2 weeks.
4.) At the end of the 2 weeks, observe the grass and record observations, paying attention to color, texture, root strength, and height of each sample of grass.
5.) Clean up work area and dispose of any used materials.
Data-
Abstract- An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different levels of pH on samples of grass. Different samples of acidic water, with pH's of 1,4, were poured onto the samples of grass over a period of two weeks and each got a total of 100 ml of water. After the two weeks, it was observed that the grass that was hit with the more acidic samples were short, yellow, and had a more brittle and still feel to it. The roots had the same characteristics as the blades. However, the samples hit with the less acidic water were tall, green and had a soft and flexible texture. The roots had the same characteristics as the blades. This data proved the hypothesis by showing that the grass was harmed by the acidic water.
Problem- According to National Geographic, acid rain is a problem that arises out of the burning of fossil fuels, causing rainwater to become acidic. Simulate the effects of acid rain and observe its effects on the growth of plant life.
Hypothesis- Higher concentrations of acid will hinder the growth of plant and damage its health because the acidity will lower the amount of nutrients in the soil and also affect the plant's ability to absorb nutrients through its roots.
Parts of the Experiment- Control Group- Plants watered with distilled water
Experimental Group- Plants watered with salt solution
Independent Variable- Concentration of acid solution
Dependent Variable- Plant growth/Wealth
Materials- 2 liter bottles containing grass (or containers, grass seed and soil if grass is not grown)
Distilled water
Acid solutions
Paper and pencil to record observations
Methods- 1.) Grow grass in at least 3 2 liter containers for several weeks to allow the grass to establish its roots.
2.) Make the different water samples of 100 ml, one being 2 pH, one being 4 pH and one being pure distilled water.
3.) Pour solutions 100 ml of water into each container, one getting the 2 pH solution, one getting the 4 pH solution, and one getting distilled water. Do this every three or four days (to keep the soil moist) for 2 weeks.
4.) At the end of the 2 weeks, observe the grass and record observations, paying attention to color, texture, root strength, and height of each sample of grass.
5.) Clean up work area and dispose of any used materials.
Data-
Data Analysis- The data shows that the acid was harmful to the growth of the plants, shown by the differences in height, color, root strength, and flexibility. The discoloration and withering of the grass, as seen with the grass with lower pH, indicated a level of dehydration and malnutrition, meaning that the roots were unable to absorb water and nutrients. Upon closer investigation, the roots of the grass that were hit by the acidic water had more brittle and short roots that the grass that was given distilled, and their health very closely correlated with the lowering pH. This indicated that high amounts of acidity was detrimental to the grass's health, and more specifically, it affected the plant's roots. Water with a pH close to 7, or neutral, was good for the health of the plant and allowed it to maintain its health. These trends were shown in all the groups with the different pH levels with little to no exceptions, making it a very evident that acidic water is bad for their health.
Conclusion- The data supported the thesis as it showed that the growth and health of the plants was directly affected by the lowering pH of the water. This was shown in lower height, weaker roots, and discoloration of plants with acidic water supplies, indicating lower health and dehydration, meaning that the roots had been affected. This means that if acid rain falls in the environment, it is likely to kill plant life easily if it is acidic enough, essentially destroying an entire ecosystem in the process.
Citations-
"Acid Rain." National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
<http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/acid-
rain-overview/>.
Conclusion- The data supported the thesis as it showed that the growth and health of the plants was directly affected by the lowering pH of the water. This was shown in lower height, weaker roots, and discoloration of plants with acidic water supplies, indicating lower health and dehydration, meaning that the roots had been affected. This means that if acid rain falls in the environment, it is likely to kill plant life easily if it is acidic enough, essentially destroying an entire ecosystem in the process.
Citations-
"Acid Rain." National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
<http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/acid-
rain-overview/>.