pH Experiment
What do you know about pH?
Did you know that having 7 pH indicates that water is good. pH less than 7 indicates acidity. Let’s take this quiz activity to learn more about pH and take the quiz.
The pH scale is a measurement system used to determine the acidity or basicity of a solution. It is a logarithmic scale that ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, numbers less than 7 being acidic, and numbers greater than 7 being basic. In order to determine the pH of a substance, a pH test is conducted using an indicator solution that changes color based on the pH level of the substance being tested.
One common experiment to demonstrate the pH scale involves the use of red cabbage as an indicator solution. The pigments in red cabbage change color based on the pH level of the solution they are placed in. To conduct the experiment, the first step is to prepare the red cabbage indicator solution. This can be done by boiling red cabbage leaves in water for several minutes and then straining the liquid to remove any solids.
Once the red cabbage indicator solution is prepared, small amounts of various household liquids, such as vinegar, lemon juice, milk, baking soda, and ammonia, can be added to the solution to observe their effects on the color of the indicator. As each substance is added, the color of the red cabbage indicator will change, indicating the pH level of the substance being tested.
For example, adding vinegar or lemon juice to the red cabbage indicator solution will turn the solution pink or red, indicating that these substances are acidic. Adding baking soda or ammonia, on the other hand, will turn the solution green or blue, indicating that these substances are basic.
The pH experiment with red cabbage can also be done using a pH meter instead of the red cabbage indicator solution. In this case, the pH meter is simply inserted into the substance being tested, and the pH level is immediately displayed.
This experiment is a fun and interactive way to learn about the pH scale and how it can be used to determine the acidity or basicity of different substances. It can also be a useful tool for demonstrating the importance of maintaining a balanced pH level in certain substances, such as swimming pools or soil for gardening.