MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: How do you make acid rain for a science fair project?

Area: Chemistry
Posted By: Sean Sherlock, Grad student Geology
Date: Thu Feb 27 21:22:50 1997
Message ID: 855787568.Ch


The simplest way to make artificial acid rain would be to start with some
distilled water and mix in some sulfuric acid until the pH goes down to
about 4.0.  You should add the acid very carefully, just a drop at a time
(a method called titration), otherwise you won't be able to control the pH
very well.  Your school's chemistry laboratory probably has some sulfuric
acid.  Ask your chemistry teacher to help with the titration.  Most acid
rain is sulfuric acid, but some contains nitric acid as well.  You probably
shouldn't worry about using both kinds of acid though, because the most
important thing is just to get the right pH.  In fact, if you can't get any
sulfuric or nitric acid, you could use distilled vinegar or even lemon
juice to get the same result, although the type of acid would not be the
same as in acid rain.  You can find more information about acid rain at the


EPA Acid Rain Page

I hope this information helps.

---- Sean Sherlock

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