MadSci Network: Chemistry |
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