Lesson 14

Lesson Objectives...

• A Collect data to produce evidence and use the patterns in the properties of substances to make an argument about whether malic acid secreted by algae is causing a chemical reaction to break down the calcium carbonate in the marble of the Taj Mahal. 

• Use molecular models to explain which products could be produced (patterns) from a chemical reaction between either a) the calcium carbonate in the marble surface of the Taj Mahal and pollutants in the air or b) iron in the rods and clamps of the Taj Mahal and pollutants in acid rain. 

• Analyze and interpret data and use it as evidence in an explanation to the government of India about which pollutants in the air around the Taj Mahal could be causing the marble surface of the Taj Mahal to break apart and wash away (effect). 

• Additional LLPE for Alternate Assessment: Plan an investigation individually and in the design: identify what tools are needed to do the gathering, how measurements will be recorded, and what data is needed to provide evidence for whether one or more acids is chemically reacting (cause) with the iron in the rods and clamps of the Taj Mahal and in this process ends up producing two new substances (effect).

Resources for Lesson 14...

What we figured out this lesson...

• Two pollutants in the air around the Taj Mahal are interacting with the surface causing a chemical reaction to occur and changing the surface to a new substance.

• Algae that is on the surface of the Taj Mahal secretes different acids that cause a chemical reaction to occur with the (calcium carbonate) marble surface.

• The algae and pollutants in the air around the Taj Mahal are causing it to crumble and fall apart due to the chemical reactions that are occurring.