1. TOPIC 8 - On-line Discussion: Topic 8 The Atmosphere and Air Pollution

This is the start of one of my favorite topics in the whole course. In Topic 8 we look at air pollution in general and more specifically take a good look at acid rain in the content question discussion and also in the lab # 4.  In addition, the molecule of the week report will be on air pollution molecules.  The issue question is on sulfur dioxide trading of pollution rights.

In Topic 9 we will be looking mostly at the ozone problem - and we will be able to access a site with up to the day contour maps of the ozone hole. It is currently not active in our spring over the Antarctic. The usual place for the ozone hole is over Antarctica during spring at the South Pole - when is that?.

 

2. Laboratory # 4: This week you need to complete HOME Lab #4 - Acids and Bases in Household Materials. The Lab menu page is available with various other versions of the lab. Be sure to check the online HTML version for the pre-lab which contains some acid rain maps and other graphics needed in the lab. For those that did not like the calculations - the labs have very few from now on.

I hope that you have gathered some rain or water samples that you have checked for pH. The requirement is at least 6 samples. Less than that will result in deduction of points. You can check such things as dew or frost after it has melted, ponds, creeks, one sample of bottled water, in addition to rain or snow.
When you use the pH papers, just do the best that you can in matching the colors. Some of them are very close to each other and hard to distinguish.