Acid rain and chemical weathering
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how acid rain is formed and the effects that it can cause.
Key learning points
- The pH of rain water is naturally below 7.
- Chemical reactions between certain pollutants and water in the atmosphere may cause a decrease in the pH of rainwater.
- Acid rain is not as acidic as vinegar or citric acid that is found in lemons and oranges.
- Acid rain chemically reacts with carbonates that form many rocks to produce a salt, water and carbon dioxide.
- Acid rain can have long term effects on habitats and ecosystems.
Keywords
PH - pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration in a solution.
PH scale - The pH scale measures acidity and alkalinity and is often shown with values ranging from 1 to 14. A pH below 7 indicates an acid, a pH above 7 indicates an alkali, and a pH of 7 is neutral.
Acid rain - Acid rain is rainwater which has been made more acidic by pollutant gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Chemical weathering - Chemical weathering is when rocks are broken down by a chemical change, for example reactions with acid rain.
Common misconception
Acid rain is immediately harmful to human skin. Acid rain's effects are quick and devastating.
Educate that acid rain is less acidic than household acids. Discuss the long-term ecological and structural impacts of acid rain.
Teacher tip
Blow through a straw into water containing indicator to show how CO₂ makes rainwater naturally slightly acidic. A practical could be used showing how carbonates react with acids.
Equipment
See additional materials.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following household products contain acid?
Q2.What is the pH of a neutral solution?
Q3.When using universal indicator solution, what colour will a strong acid be?
Q4.Match the acids names with their formula.
HNO₃
H₂SO₄
HCl
Q5.Name a pollutant in the atmosphere which can produce acid rain.
Q6.Which of the following rocks are sedimentary?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following pH values is normal rainwater likely to be?
Q2.How does the pH of acid rain compare to the pH of vinegar and oranges?
Q3.Name an acid found in acid rain.
Q4.What is pH?
Q5.What is produced when a sedimentary rock containing carbonate compounds reacts with acid in acid rain?
Q6.Which of the following are impacts of acid rain?
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: Acid rain and chemical weathering, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: Acid rain and chemical weathering, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 combined science lessons from the Atmosphere and changing climate unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.