Name_____________________________________________ Grade /20

Living Environment Redo Grade /20

Lab # _________

TITLE- Testing pH

OBJECTIVE- Many common substances are either acids or bases. Some acids, like
stomach acid are necessary for our health, while others, like sulfuric acid are
dangerous and can cause burns and other injuries. Baking powder is a common,
weak base used in your homes, while sodium hydroxide, a strong base, is
hazardous to skin and eyes.
The easiest way to determine if a substance is acidic or basic is to use
an indicator. Indicators are organic molecules that change color in an acid or
base. When an indicator is placed on paper, it provides a fast way to determine if a substance has acidic or basic
properties. The most common acid/base indicator is called litmus paper. A litmus test is the first thing used to
determine acidic (red) or basic (blue) properties. If the litmus paper does not change color, the substance is neutral.
How can we determine the strength of an acid or a base? The strength of an acid or base is measured in pH
(0-14), which is the concentration of the hydrogen ion (H+). A high pH indicates a strong base, while a low pH indicates
a strong acid. A pH of seven indicated a neutral substance (like water). Phenolphthalein is an organic compound
(C
20
H
14
O
4
) used as an acid-base indicator. The compound is colorless in acidic solution (-) and pinkish in basic solution
(+).
The purpose of this lab is to - To determine the pH of common household substances & associate the color
changes of different indicators to acidic or basic solutions.

HYPOTHESIS- _________________________________________________________________________
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MATERIALS- glass marking pencil, Spot plate, assortment of solutions (orange juice, vinegar, soda, salt water,
mouthwash, window cleaner, aspirin, antacid, baking soda,HCl, NaOH), 2 unknown substances, litmus paper,
Phenolphthalein
SAFETY- Goggles & Gloves must be worn during the entire duration of this lab. Some acids & bases may be corrosive.
Please work with caution.

PROCEDURE
1. Obtain your spot plate and mark each depression with the numbers 1-10, UK1 & UK2.
2. Walk up to the supply counter and place a few drops of each solution into the proper depression on the spot
plate. Be sure to use proper pipet.
3. Test the pH of each solution with a strip of Litmus Paper. To do this, gently dip one end of the paper into the
solution. Observe the color change (either Red or Blue). Note the color of the litmus paper on your data table.
4. Test the pH of each solution with a strip of pH paper. To do this, gently dip one end of the paper into the
solution. Observe the color change. Use the color scale on the indicator paper package to estimate the pH of
each solution. Record the color and the pH of the known solutions on your data table.
5. Obtain 2 unknown substances and repeat step 2 for each unknown. Record results in data table
As a class, test the solutions with Phenolphthalein, record results on the data table
DATA

Solution Litmus Paper Color pH paper
color & pH
Phenol. Test
Clear ( - )
Pink (+)
Acid/ Base
Strong/ Weak

1-Orange Juice



2- Vinegar



3-Soda



4-Salt Water


5-Mouthwash



6-Window Cleaner


7-Aspirin
8-Antacid
9- Baking Soda
10- NaOH

Unknown 1



Unknown 2






ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

Analysis Questions
1. List the substances that are acids.





2. List the substances that are bases.




3. What were the names of the indicators used in this lab? Would you have seen anything happen if you did not use
the indicators? Explain.








4. Construct and pH scale ranging from 0 to 14, with 7 in the center. Label your pH scale with the solutions from this
lab. (Including the Unknowns)



0------------------------------------------------------7-------------------------------------------------14




5. Using the data you collected and your knowledge of pH, make an inference as to what the unknown substances are.








6. What is the pH range of the solutions you tested? Are any of them very acidic or basic? What does this indicate
about many common substances found in the home?







7. Describe the hydrogen ion concentration in acid, basic, and neutral solutions.







8.Solutions of acids and solutions of bases have different properties. Indicators are chemicals that change color when a
solution becomes more acidic or more basic. Some indicators and their colors are shown in the table below.



Explain why testing a solution with only phenolphthalein would not show whether the solution is acidic or neutral. [1]
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Scientists used these three indicators to test a sample of lake water. The results were:
bromthymol blue test yellow
litmus test red
phenolphthalein test colorless

The best conditions for a certain fish species occur when the lake water is neutral, not acidic or basic. Do the test
results show that the lake water is a good environment for this species of fish?
Circle one: Yes No

Explain your answer. [1] ________________________________________________________________
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