Scribd
Upload
39 views3 pages

PH Lab

This lab activity focuses on determining the pH of common household items using litmus paper to identify whether solutions are acidic, basic, or neutral. Students are required to predict the pH of various solutions, conduct tests with red and blue litmus paper, and analyze their results. The document also includes safety precautions, materials needed, and questions for analysis and conclusions.

Uploaded by

Gerlie Motoy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
39 views3 pages

PH Lab

This lab activity focuses on determining the pH of common household items using litmus paper to identify whether solutions are acidic, basic, or neutral. Students are required to predict the pH of various solutions, conduct tests with red and blue litmus paper, and analyze their results. The document also includes safety precautions, materials needed, and questions for analysis and conclusions.

Uploaded by

Gerlie Motoy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Name: Date: Period:

Lab: Determining the pH of Common Household Items


Background: The pH of a solution is a measurement of how acidic or basic a solution is. An easy
way to measure the pH of a solution is to use litmus paper. This paper has been treated with chemical
indicators whose color varies according topH. Blue litmus paper turns red in the presence of an acid.
Red litmus paper turns blue in the presence of a base.

Materials:
Red and Blue Litmus Paper or pH Strips

Well Plate or any container

Dropper

Surgical Gloves

Lab Gown

Protective Glasses

10 Solutions listed in the table

Understanding the pH scale:


Use your notes from yesterday to answer the following questions.

a. Which numbers indicate an acid?

b. Which numbers indicate a base?

c. Which number indicates a neutral solution?

d. Which number indicates the strongest acid?

e. Which number indicates the strongest base?

f. Which number indicates the weakest acid?

g. Which number indicates the weakest base?

h. What type of ions do acids release (word and abbreviation)?

i. What type of ions do bases release (word and abbreviation)?


Procedure:
You MUST wear goggles at all times!!!

1. Make predictions of whether each sample will be acidic, basic, or neutral. Record these predictions in
the data table.
2. Get a well plate and collect 2-3 drops of each sample solution. Be sure to put each numbered sample into
the spot with the same number as the sample. Only place ONE sample in each spot. NEVER MIX THE
CHEMICALS!
3. Receive your red litmus paper (tests for bases) and your blue litmus paper (tests for acids) Only touch one
end with your fingers
4. Dip a red and a blue strip of pH paper into the first well. Pull the strip out immediately.
5. Count to 5 and then fill out your data table.
6. Record your data in the data table below.

Solution Prediction Red Litmus Blue Litmus Acid or Base? Was your prediction
(Acid / Base / Paper Paper correct?
Neutral) Change to Blue Change to Red /
/ No change No change
1 Coffee
2 Any Cleaning
solution
3 Distilled Water
4 Milk

5 Dishwashing Soap
6 Lemon Juice
7 Soda

8 Shampoo

9 Perfume / cologne

10 Mouth wash

8. Rinse out your well plate with plenty of water and dispose of all paper fragments in a trash can… NOT
down the sink!!!!! Return wells and goggles to their appropriate homes.
Analysis & Conclusions: Answer incomplete sentences.

1) What happens when acids and bases are mixed?

2) List two methods of testing that would have been more accurate than litmus
paper:

a.
b.

3) What were some things that may have gone wrong in the experiment?

4) Explain a situation where someone could use pH test kits in your neighborhood.

You might also like