Experiments

This week in science we have been doing experiments based on base and acids.

Making Indicators

Aim: To make an acid-base indicator using everyday substances.
Equipment: Beetroot, turmeric, cranberry Juice, beaker, water, tripod, bunsen burner, gauze mat, HCI
NaOH

For beetroot: Chop the beetroot into small pieces. Place the beetroot in a beaker and add water to cover the beetroot. Boil over a bunsen burner for at least the minutes for the colour to leach out of the beetroot.
For cranberry juice: Pour into a beaker and leave to one side.
For turmeric: Mix 1 teaspoon turmeric in 100 mL cup of alcohol. Place in a small beaker and leave to one side. 

Method
1. You now have five beakers, each containing a different indicator.
2. Using a pipette, place a 5 mL of the cabbage indicator into two test tubes.
3. Add 5mL of HCI(acid) to one test tube and 5mL of NaOH(alkali) to the other test tube.
4. Record the colour change.
5. Clean the test tubes and repeat for the beetroot, cranberry and turmeric indicator.

Neutralisation
Aim: To observe a neutralisation reaction


Equipment
Test Tube
Test tube rack
Sodium Carbonate (base)
Hydrochloric acid (acid)
Universal indicator solution

Method

1. Add approximately 1-2mL of Sodium Carbonate and place the test tube into the test tube rack. Add 3-5 drops of Universal indicator solution.
2. Using a dropper bottle, add HCI drop by drop. Be careful because adding even a small amount of extra acid can mean you'll miss the neutralisation point.