Acid rain and drinking water quality

[soupea]

Ok my project is about the effect of corroding metals due to acid rain on water quality and I have just now realized that it would take forever for results to show even if I start tomorrow. (my project is due around 1/3/13) And I'm really freaking out because its too late to change my topic...
I was planning on conducting the experiment by gathering one single type of water pipe that is commonly used in my area (Virginia). I was then going to concoct solutions of acids with varying pH types and place a pipe in each solution to see if they would corrode. I was going to allow two to three weeks of the pipe submerged in the solution. Then, I planned on taking tap water and allowing it to pass through each of the pipes. Then, I was going to measure the water quality with a drinking water test kit.
Is there any way to make this project work? Please answer

[deleted-143835]

Hi soupea,

Excellent project idea! I understand your concerns exactly. However, just out of curiosity (this might help me give a better answer as to what you can change to speed up the project), what is the reason for waiting two to three weeks after submerging the pipe? What is scientific backing behind this time frame?

Furthermore, here is a link to a Science Buddies project that you may want to consider instead - it is also related to acid rain and metals, so it wouldn't deviate too much from your topic.
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary
It should take less time.

My advice would be to start your initial idea as soon as possible and simultaneously set up a shorter experiment, like the one mentioned above. If the first one works out along with the shorter one, great! There's no harm in having a larger data set or more tests! But if it doesn't, you won't have to worry, since you already have one small project on acid rain done and ready to turn in. In the mean time, perhaps just spend a day or two finding shorter or different alternatives to testing acid rain on metal quality.

Hope this helps. Please post back with any more questions!

[soupea]

Thanks so much for answering! You've taken the anxiety off my shoulders! And to answer your question about my time frame, well this is my first year doing a science fair experiment so I simply estimated (guess-timated) and I figured it would show results by the time my project is due. hehe

[deleted-143835]

No problem, happy to help ) As mentioned earlier, I'd just advise you to proceed with both plans, and whichever way it works out, you still have something to present! Please let us know how it goes and if we can do anything else to assist you

Good luck!

[soupea]

Ill post results when I can! I do have another question though, do you think it would make sense to continue to test the water quality? I do know that tap water doesn't get very acidic (because of regulations and all that) but I'm making solutions with up to a pH of 1 so I don't really know how to go about that

[deleted-143835]

Sounds good! I think it would be OK to continue to test water quality in addition to the project you're already undertaking. Yes, tap water doesn't tend to get very acidic, but research/findings on this could still be valuable, if you have time to do so. Perhaps some other Experts can chime in here to maybe offer you some more ideas?

[soupea]

I have no idea what to do next. Please help, my project is due next week. Okay so I conducted my project as stated before and then I tested the water quality from the pipes. All the pipes showed physical changes but when I tested the water, they were all within normal range. They were all the same results basically. I don't know what to do

[soupea]

I need to start working on my board but I don't know how to present my results

[deleted-143835]

Hi!

Sorry to hear that! Remember, though, that a good science fair project depends more on following the scientific method, analyzing any results, and predicting why you got them is FAR more appreciated and useful than a "regular" project with standard answers. That being said, don't stress! Present what you have and try to look for answers based on YOUR personal results.

Although for me to help, perhaps knowing what the drinking water test kit exactly does could help me in answering some of your questions.

I believe that you should always have data tables/good graphs to show, as such visuals are very important for scientific communication. How about you find a way to classify/characterize the physical changes reflected in the pipes? Then you can diagram these along with any results you got for the water quality and speculate as to how the changes in the pipes may affect the water, even if your kit didn't pick them up, or in case you used it incorrectly.

Just remember, go with what you have, and just use scientifically sound reasoning! You'll be great! Who knows, this unexpected result may yield discoveries far greater than what you imagine....

[soupea]

Well, a couple of days ago I realized that I had placed my topic under the wrong forum. Oops . I've since received very helpful answers but you've been kind for giving me assistance in the beginning! I am now in the process of making my board and am making sound conclusions on why my results turned out the way they did. Although if you're curious about the water test kit, it tested Total Chlorine, Copper, Nitrate, Nitrite, Alkalinity, pH, Hardness, and Iron.

Thank you so much for replying!