The remediation of acid rain by SO2 scrubbing is integrated into a laboratory project appropriate for first-year chemistry students. By burning a small amount of sulfur and bubbling the gas produced through distilled water, the student first observes one of the reactions that produces acid rain. The student then tests four different reagents (calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, sodium carbonate, and potassium hydroxide) for their ability to neutralize SO2(g), and then makes a conclusion about which could serve as potential SO2 scrubbers for coal-burning industries. Their observations are rationalized with basic concepts such as pH, acid–base reactions, relative acidities, neutralization reactions, and solubility.
Schilling, Amber L.; Leber, Phyllis A.; Yoder, Claude H. J. Chem. Educ.2009, 86, 225.
Keywords
Acids / Bases; Applications of Chemistry; Aqueous Solution Chemistry; Atmospheric Chemistry; Collaborative / Cooperative Learning; Environmental Chemistry; First-Year Undergraduate / General; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Industrial Chemistry; Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning; Interdisciplinary / Multidisciplinary; Laboratory Instruction; Nonmajor Courses; pH; Problem Solving / Decision Making; Sulfur; Water / Water Chemistry
History
Created:
Last Updated:
1/5/2009
1/14/2009
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