Innovating Science™ AP Environmental Science: Effects of SO2 and NO2 on Plants

Description

Simulate how nitrogen and sulfur oxides affect radish seed germination, demonstrating the impact of acid rain on plant growth.

Acid deposition, more commonly known as acid rain, occurs when primary pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide react with the water in the atmosphere to form the secondary pollutants, nitric and sulfuric acid, which then fall to the surface in rain. This can cause significant stress to both ecosystems in forests, streams, lakes, and the ocean, as well as human infrastructure.

• In this activity, simulate the effects of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides on the germination of radish seeds.
• This kit contains enough materials for 8 groups of students and comes with a Teacher's Manual and Student Study Guide Copymaster.
• The activity covers AP Environmental Science primary learning objectives STB-2.H and STB-2.I.
• It will take approximately 100 minutes over the course of 3 to 4 days to complete this activity (Day 1: 45 min, Day 2: 10 min, Day 3: 45 min).

Kit Contains:

• Sodium Sulfite, 1 M, 25 mL
• Sulfuric Acid, 2 M, 25 mL
• Nitric Acid, Concentrated, 25 mL
• 16 Copper Wire Pieces, 1 cm
• Radish Seeds, 10 g
• pH Strips, pk. of 100
• 24 Petri Dishes
• 24 Reactant Reservoirs
• Filter Paper, 1 pk.
• Cotton Balls, 1 pk.
• 8 Pipettes
• 8 Forceps
• 8 Hand Magnifiers

Needed but not supplied:

• Scissors
• Metric Rulers
• Markers
• Distilled Water
• Graduated Cylinders, 10 or 25 mL

Specifications

• Grade Level: High School
• Grade: 9 to 12
• Class Size: 8 Lab Groups
• Product Type: Acid Deposition