Testing pH {experiment}

08/05/18

Aim: To test the pH of household chemicals.

Equipment: A variety of household chemicals, spotting tile, red litmus paper, blue litmus paper, Universal indicator solution, safety glasses.

Method:

1) Add a few drops of each chemical to a spot on your spotting tile. If a substance is solid or powdered you will need to mix it with a few drops of water before testing.


2) Test the chemicals with litmus papers.


3) Test each chemical with a few drops of universal indicator.

Results:

Chemical being tested	Colour in blue litmus	Colour in red litmus	Colour in universal indicator
Pledge clean & dust			red-orange
Morning fresh			green-yellow
Water Jif			Green-blue white-violet
Harpic active fresh			Light blue-orange
Sulfuric acid Sodium hydroxide			Clear acid-red clear-blue

Conclusion:

Chemical being tested	Acid or Base	Evidence from investigation
Pledge clean & dust Morning fresh	Acid Acid	When added universal indicator it becomes slightly acidic
Water Jif	Base Base	When added universal indicator these become slightly basic
Harpic-Active fresh	Acid	When added universal indicator it changed from basic to acidic
Sulfuric acid	Acid	When added universal indicator it became acidic
Sodium hydroxide	Base	When added universal indicator it became basic