Acids, like citric acids in citrus fruits, tend to be sour in taste while bases, like baking soda, tend have a bitter taste. But of course you can't taste everything to test if it's an acid! In school you may have used litmus paper to determine if a substance was an acid or a base. In this simple science experiment, you can make your own pH indicator, which tests to see if solutions are acidic or basic.
- red cabbage
- knife
- bowl
- grater
- wooden spoon
- vinegar
- soap
- sieve
- cups
Acids and bases cancel each other out, so try reversing the color change by adding the opposite solution.
Grate about 1/2 cup of red cabbage. It might help to first cut the red cabbage into quarters so it's easier to grate.
Put the red cabbage in a bowl and add just enough water to cover it.
Crush the cabbage with the wooden spoon to produce a purple cabbage juice.
Sieve the cabbage juice into several small cups. This is your pH indicator solution.
To determine the pH of the soap, vinegar, or an unknown substance, just add it to the cups. An acid will turn the solution pink, and a base will turn the solution blue.
Things You'll Need
Tips
Tips
- Acids and bases cancel each other out, so try reversing the color change by adding the opposite solution.
About the Author
I'm a biology instructor at a small private college. Native to the Midwest, I’m now a “gal growing Southern”. Yes, I have a favorite NASCAR driver, I love chicken biscuits, and I’m trying to garden in a red-clay state. I'm also a proud new parent, but I still find time to read and write about science.
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