Activity 2.4 - Influence of acid rains on plastic products

• know the reasons of acid rains and their impact on the environment,
• based on experiments decide if acid rains have any influence on decomposition of plastic materials.

This activity is focused on plastic waste that is in contact with acid rains. A question arises whether acid rains have an influence on decomposing of plastics. Pupils have acquired knowledge about acid rains, their reasons and impact on the environment. Based on experiments they have to decide if acid rains have an influence on decomposing of plastics.

A teacher asks questions concerning reasons of acid rains. A discussion follows focusing on impact of acid rains on different materials, including plastic. Pupils formulate hypotheses and write their answers into worksheets.

Pupils study the impact of acid rain on plastic and other selected materials (chalk, cotton, wood) in their experiments. They compare the resistance of different materials at the end of the experiment. They write the findings into a table and draw conclusions.