Let+There+Be+Acid+Rain+(Inquiry+Project)

By: Kimanh Nguyen
The effect of different levels of acidic solutions on tomato plant's growth in centimeters.
 * Problem Statement **

Acid rain refers to any form of precipitation with higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. When these compounds are in the atmosphere, they combine and react with oxygen, water, and other chemicals to form acidic pollutants. There are two forms of acid rain: wet deposition and dry deposition. Wet deposition occurs when the acid chemicals are blown into areas where the weather is wet. It will precipitate in the form of acid rain, fog, or snow. Dry deposition occurs when the acid chemicals are blown into areas with dry weather. They will fall in the form of dusk or smoke. When it mixes with runoff water, the mixture becomes more acidic. Acid rain has a pH of approximately 5.0 to 5.5. The pH can be in the 4 range where there are lots of industries and cars. Although acid rain is formed from natural sources, like volcanoes and decaying vegetation, it is mainly caused by human activities in urban areas. According to Rachel Casiday and Regina Frey’s “Inorganic Reactions Experiment,” acid rain can cause soil minerals to produce metal ions that are washed away in the runoff, resulting in important mineral losses from the soil. This in turns kill trees and damage crops.
 * Background Information **

The different levels of acidic solutions, the independent variable used as a representation of acid rain, are solutions with pH levels less than seven. These include the 5% vinegar solution, 2.5% vinegar solution, and 1.25% vinegar solution. Starting from 5% of vinegar found in a bottle, each solution will use half the amount of vinegar as the one before it by diluting it with water; therefore, 2.5% vinegar solution will use half of the 5% vinegar solution; the remaining half is water. 1.25% vinegar solution will use one-fourth of the 5% vinegar solution; the remaining three-fourth is water. The pH level of each solution will be determined via red cabbage juice indicator. Red cabbage indicator turns red in acid solutions, purple in neutral solutions, and greenish-yellow in basic solutions. The control will be tap water, which has a pH of 7.

Tomato plants are plants powered by the sun to produce fruits that are usually red. They double their size every twelve to fifteen days. The height of the tomato plants, the dependent variable, can be measured in centimeters by using a ruler vertically. Constants throughout this experiment, including measuring the plants in centimeters, having the same brand of vinegar, having the same brand of distilled water, having the same brand of tomato plants, and measuring the amount of solution to go into each tomato plant, help assure more accurate data. Therefore, the experiment would avoid bias data. The components in the soil of the tomato plants can affect the plant’s height.

Tomato plants with acidic solutions closer to the pH of 7 will grow taller in centimeters. Acidic solutions, with pH level less than seven, will result in damaged leaves, limited nutrients available, and exposed toxic substances, like aluminum, from the soil; therefore, it will weaken the tomato plants. Tap water will cause the tomato plant to grow the tallest because it is a neutral solution. It does not hurt the tomato plant; therefore, it won’t weaken the plant. 5% vinegar solution, 2.5% vinegar solution, and 1.25% vinegar solution will cause the tomato plants to shrivel up and die because vinegar is an acid. The 5% vinegar solution will cause the most damage to the plant, and the 2.5% vinegar solution will cause the second-most damage because they have more traces of acids.

If different levels of acidic solutions were given to tomato plants, then the plant with the lowest level of acidic solution will grow the tallest in centimeters.
 * Hypothesis **

=**Material (per trial) **=
 * ====4- tomato plants ====
 * ====280 mL of Sedano’s vinegar ====
 * ====608 mL of tap water ====
 * ====1- ruler with centimeters measurements ====
 * ====5- plastic bottles ====
 * ====1- Sharpie permanent marker ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">1- Measuring cup with mL measurements ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">1- roll of Scotch tape ====
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 115%;">3- red cabbage leaves
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 115%;">1- small pan
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 115%;">4- cups
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 115%;">5- syringes


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;">Procedures **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 115%;">10. Strain the liquid into a bottle.
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 115%;">11. Label five syringes- control, 5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, and Cabbage- and four cups- control, 5%, 2.5%, and 1.25%-using a marker and 9 pieces of tape. ====

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;">Safety Protocol **
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Do not inhale the fumes of the solutions. Place solutions away from eyes. If solutions contact eyes and/or causes irritation, rinse with water immediately and report it to an adult. ====

= Data =
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Solution’s pH ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Trial ** ||  **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Solution **  ||  **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Cabbage pH Indicator Color **  ||  **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">pH level **  ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">1 ** || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Control ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Blue || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">7 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">5% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Yellowish-pale green || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">4.5 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">2.5% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Light green || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">4 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">1.25% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Bright yellow || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">3 ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">2 ** || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Control ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Blue || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">7 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">5% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Yellowish-pale green || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">4.5 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">2.5% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Light green || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">4 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">1.25% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Bright yellow || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">3 ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">3 ** || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Control ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Blue || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">7 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">5% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Yellowish-pale green || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">4.5 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">2.5% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Light green || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">4 ||
 * ^  || **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">1.25% ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">Bright yellow || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">3 ||


 * ** Trial 1- Height of Tomato Plants, Each Given Different Acidic Solution, (in cm) Each Day ** ||
 * ** Day ** || ** Plant Type **  ||  ** Height (in cm) **  ||  ** Plant’s Intake of Solution (in mL) **  ||
 * ** 1 ** || ** Control ** || 20 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 20 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 20 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 20 || 50 ||
 * ** 2 ** || ** Control ** || 21 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 3 ** || ** Control ** || 21 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 4 ** || ** Control ** || 21 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 50 ||
 * ** 5 ** || ** Control ** || 20.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 6 ** || ** Control ** || 20.1 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 7 ** || ** Control ** || 20.1 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 50 ||
 * ** 8 ** || ** Control ** || 20 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||


 * ** Trial 2- Height of Tomato Plants, Each Given Different Acidic Solution, (in cm) Each Day ** ||
 * ** Day ** || ** Plant Type **  ||  ** Height (in cm) **  ||  ** Plant’s Intake of Solution (in mL) **  ||
 * ** 1 ** || ** Control ** || 7 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 6.7 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 7.1 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 7 || 50 ||
 * ** 2 ** || ** Control ** || 8.6 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ** 3 ** || ** Control ** || 8.4 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ** 4 ** || ** Control ** || 8.3 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2 || 50 ||
 * ** 5 ** || ** Control ** || 9.7 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ** 6 ** || ** Control ** || 9.5 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ** 7 ** || ** Control ** || 9.2 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2 || 50 ||
 * ** 8 ** || ** Control ** || 10 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2 || 0 ||


 * ** Trial 3- Height of Tomato Plants, Each Given Different Acidic Solution, (in cm) Each Day ** ||
 * ** Day ** || ** Plant Type **  ||  ** Height (in cm) **  ||  ** Plant’s Intake of Solution (in mL) **  ||
 * ** 1 ** || ** Control ** || 19.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 19.7 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 19.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 19.6 || 50 ||
 * ** 2 ** || ** Control ** || 21.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.9 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 3 ** || ** Control ** || 21 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.9 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 4 ** || ** Control ** || 21 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.9 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3.3 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 50 ||
 * ** 5 ** || ** Control ** || 21.4 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.9 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 6 ** || ** Control ** || 21.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.9 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||
 * ** 7 ** || ** Control ** || 21 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.9 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3.3 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 50 ||
 * ** 8 ** || ** Control ** || 21 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.9 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 3.3 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 3 || 0 ||


 * ** Average Height of Tomato Plants, Each Given Different Acidic Solution, (in cm) Each Day ** ||
 * ** Day ** ||  ** Plant Type **  ||  ** Height (in cm) **  ||  ** Plant’s Intake of Solution (in mL) **  ||
 * ** 1 ** || ** Control ** || 15.6 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 15.5 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 15.6 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 15.5 || 50 ||
 * ** 2 ** || ** Control ** || 16.9 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ** 3 ** || ** Control ** || 16.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ** 4 ** || ** Control ** || 16.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.6 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2.6 || 50 ||
 * ** 5 ** || ** Control ** || 17.1 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ** 6 ** || ** Control ** || 17.0 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ** 7 ** || ** Control ** || 16.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.6 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2.8 || 50 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2.6 || 50 ||
 * ** 8 ** || ** Control ** || 17 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 5% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 2.5% ** || 2.8 || 0 ||
 * ^  || ** 1.25% ** || 2.6 || 0 ||

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">
** Results ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">In trial 1, the control group’s height started at 20 centimeters on Day 1; it grew an inch on Day 2 and remained that height until Day 5, in which it shrank to 20.3 centimeters. On Day 6, it shrank to 20.1 centimeters until Day 20, in which its final height was 20 centimeters. The plant with the 5% solution started at 20 centimeters on Day 1; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 2.8 centimeters, for the remaining days. The tomato plant in 2.5% solution started at 20 centimeters on Day; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 3 centimeters, for the remaining days. The tomato plant in 1.25% solution started at 20 centimeters on Day; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 3 centimeters, for the remaining days.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">In trial 2, the control group’s height started at 7 centimeters on Day 1; it grew 1.6 inches on Day 2 and remained that height until Day 3, in which it shrank to 8.4 centimeters, followed by another shrink to 8.3 centimeters. On Day 5, it grew again, reaching a height of 9.7 centimeters. This was followed by a shrink to 9.5 centimeters on Day 6 and 9.2 centimeters on Day 7. On Day 8, it grew again with a final height of 10 centimeters. The plant with the 5% solution started at 6.7 centimeters on Day 1; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 2 centimeters, for the remaining days. The plant with the 2.5% solution started at 7.1 centimeters on Day 1; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 2 centimeters, for the remaining days. The plant with the 1.25% solution started at 7 centimeters on Day 1; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 2 centimeters, for the remaining days.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">In trial 3, the control group’s height started at 19.8 centimeters on Day 1; it grew 1.5 centimeters by Day 2 and shrank down 0.3 centimeters by Day 3, which remained the same for Day 4. By Day 5, it reached a height of 21.4 centimeters, followed by a decrease on Day 6 and Day7 with heights, 21.3 centimeters and 21 centimeters, respectively. On Day 8, its final height was 21 centimeters. The plant with the 5% solution started at 19.7 centimeters on Day 1; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 2.9 centimeters, for the remaining days. The plant with the 2.5% solution started at 19.8 centimeters on Day 1; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 3.3 centimeters, for the remaining days. The plant with the 1.25% solution started at 19.6 centimeters on Day 1; it died and fell on Day 2 and remained at the same height, 3 centimeters, for the remaining days.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">The results failed to reject the hypothesis that… If different levels of acidic solutions were given to tomato plants, then the plant with the lowest level of acidic solution will grow the tallest in centimeters. The average of the height of the plants placed in acidic solutions did not differ much from each other. Possible reasons for the results include feeding the plants every three days. On the third day, every tomato plant, including the control group, was dying or on the verge of dying because it was low on nutrients and resources. Placing all the plants in an area where there is less exposure to the sun resulted in less photosynthesis and less energy for the plants. In the future, the experimenter(s) will place the tomato plants in an area open to sunlight with no trees or plants surrounding it outside during the summer. This allows the plants to receive as much light as possible with less competition with other biotic factors and with less biasness from contributing abiotic factors common to that specific season, like rain from spring in Florida. This experiment can be applied to real life by showing the impact of acid rain on a larger scale, like an entire forest. For future experiments, experimenter(s) should feed the plants every two days instead of three days to have a clearer visualization that the different types of solutions are the primary causes of the plant’s height.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 17pt;">Conclusion **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;">Bibliography **
 * 1) <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ferrandino, Frank. "Pruning Tomatoes - Fine Gardening Article." //Fine Gardening: Expert Garden Plant Advice, Tips, and Ideas from Fine Gardening Magazine, including Design, Care, and How-to Garden Techniques.// The Taunton Home and Garden Network. Web. 6 Jan. 2012. <http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/pruning-tomatoes.aspx>.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Effects of Acid Rain - Forests | Acid Rain | US EPA." //US Environmental Protection Agency//. 8 June 2007. Web. 6 Jan. 2012. <http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/forests.html>.
 * 3) <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Acid Rain Facts, Acid Rain Information, Acid Rain Pictures, Acid Rain Effects - National Geographic." //Environment Facts, Environment Science, Global Warming, Natural Disasters, Ecosystems, Green Living - National Geographic//. Web. 7 Jan. 2012. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/acid-rain-overview>.
 * 4) <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Casiday, Rachel, and Regina Frey. "Acid Rain." //Department of Chemistry | Washington University in St. Louis//. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. <http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~edudev/LabTutorials/Water/FreshWater/acidrain.html>.