The Buffer Zone: Acid-base Chemistry in the World
http://resources4rethinking.ca/en/resource/the-buffer-zone-acid-base-chemistry-in-the-worlds
http://resources4rethinking.ca/en/resource/the-buffer-zone-acid-base-chemistry-in-the-worlds
Stefani Hines, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Activity takes about 60-90 minutes to complete. Additional materials necessary.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
Topics
Climate Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
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Technical Details
About the Content
- Student groups conduct a set of acid-base experiments to see what could happen to the pH of the ocean as carbon dioxide levels rise in the atmosphere.
- While these experiments do not show how carbon dioxide is dissolved into the ocean, they do demonstrate the relevant chemistry.
- Comments from expert scientist:
Ocean acidification is the other CO2 problem as it is sometimes called so an investigation on the topic is welcome. It provides clear steps for the instructor and even provide answers to likely student questions.
About the Pedagogy
- Student worksheet available here.
- The experiments in this resource show how acid-base chemistry is relevant to understanding how excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to the acidification of the ocean and its impact on corals and humans.
Technical Details/Ease of Use
- Links to key article (In Hot Water...) and other resources listed in the student and teacher guides do not work as of 11/2016. Some resources may need to be supplemented with others.
- The "In Hot Water" article referred to in the activity is available here.
- Both the Student's and Teacher's Guides are well done. They are well organized and provide appropriate background materials for students and guidance for teachers.
