Cabbage Water Tester Experiment

OBJECTIVE:

Students will test PH levels of some household products.

MATERIALS:

red cabbage                  2 clear glasses

2 bowls                         orange juice

hot water                       apple juice

knife                              soup broth

lemon juice                     egg white

baking soda                     coke

colander                         cream of tarter

eye dropper                      vinegar

                                      tea

PROCEDURE 

1.       Cut cabbage into small pieces.  Place in bowl and cover with two cups of very hot water.  Let stand 15-20 minutes or until the water turns purple.

2.       Separate mixture by pouring through a colander in another bowl.  This will be the indicator.

3.       Pour a small amount of the indicator into a glass.  Add a few drops of lemon juice.  Note the color change.  This will be the acid.

4.       Pour a small amount of the indicator into another glass and add a pinch of baking soda.  Note the color change.  This will be the base.

5.       Rinse out the glasses and experiment with the other items.  Mix the acidic and the bases together, see what

6.       Some items will not change the color of the indicator – these are neutral.

DISCUSSION

Share results as small groups or individuals.  (It depends how you’d like to do this experiment.  It can be a demonstration or be done in groups of 4-5 students).

Identify each household item as either a base or acid.

EXTENSION

§         Test each item using the PH kit or PH test paper.

§         Chart your results using cut-out pictures of each item.

§         Display charts in class for all to see.