1. Learning Targets “I Can..” Describe the contents of smog and how smog contributes to the formation of acid rain. Study the effect of dissolved CO 2 on the pH of distilled water Study the effect of dissolving H 2 SO 4 in various waters on pH Describe why some bodies of water are more vulnerable to acid rain than others

2. Acid Rain

3. Background As carbon dioxide gas dissolves in water droplets of unpolluted air, the following reaction occurs: CO 2 + H 2 O  H 2 CO 3 H 2 CO 3 is a weak acid that causes the rain from unpolluted air to be slightly acidic; this is a natural “acid rain” and is not considered to be a pollutant Demonstration

4. Background When fossil fuels are burnt, they release sulfur dioxide which creates the following chemical reaction: SO 2 + H 2 O  H 2 SO 3