Dan, your theory is correct, but I would give you a C on practical application. This is a student project - no money for an expensive pH sensor, and anyway the real objective is to open a valve when rainwater becomes acidic (it should never be caustic unless there is some terrible calamity and in that case we would all have bigger problems). Demonstrating a rainwater system is more important to this project than demonstrating the correct sensor. The student knows that, given enough money and time, the proper sensor could be installed. A conductivity-measuring sensor will indicate acidity for the project demostration just as well at $0 cost (See my proof pictures in Post #39).