Acid Rain
Videos
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APChemistry, Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Khan Academy
What it is
- This 8-minute video explains how the byproducts of fossil fuels can combine with UV radiation and water molecules to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, the primary components of acid rain.
- Students will learn that acid rain can damage buildings, contaminate water sources, impact the environment, and cause respiratory problems for humans.
- There is also an interactive quiz available for students to test their knowledge about acid rain, pollution, and the pH scale.
Teaching tips
Prerequisites:
- Ensure students are familiar with the pH scale.
Preparation:
- Note that users must sign in to comment on the site.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Engineering:
- Research ways to reinforce buildings so that they are not susceptible to acid rain.
- Civics:
- Read about the EPA's Acid Rain Program on the EPA's website and discuss the role of agencies, such as the EPA, in protecting human health and the environment.
Related Resources:
- Other resources on this topic include this Hot Mess video on how human-caused pollutants affect the atmosphere, this interactive map from the EPA that shows the air quality in the United States, and this video on the importance of engineering in the face of climate change.
From the scientist review
This 8-minute video describes the causes and impacts of acid rain. A brief overview of the pH scale and acids are presented, followed by a description of efforts to regulate and reduce air pollutants that cause acid rain. This resource presents plenty of detail in a clear and concise manner. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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