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    Home » Key Stage 3 Science » How to make pH indicator test strips

    How to make pH indicator test strips

    July 29, 2016 By Emma Vanstone 2 Comments

    Making pH test strips is surprisingly easy and I was very impressed with how well they worked. These are a lovely alternative or additional activity to making red cabbage indicator solution and fantastic for learning about the pH scale.


    How to make pH test strips

    How to make pH indicator paper

    You’ll need

    Red Cabbage Indicator – made by boiling chopped red cabbage in water for 10 minutes

    White filter paper

    Vinegar/baking soda/lemon juice to test

    How to make pH test strips

    Dip a piece of filter paper into the red cabbage indicator and leave to dry.

    Once dry, drop the solutions to test onto the paper and watch as the colour changes

    make ph indicator paper

    pH Indicator and the pH scale

    Solutions can be acidic, alkaline or neutral:

    • an acidic solution is when an acid is dissolved in water
    • an alkaline solution is when an alkali is dissolved in water
    • solutions that are neither acidic nor alkaline are neutral.

    Pure water is neutral.

    What is a pH indicator?

    An indicator is a substance that changes colour when added to an acidic or alkaline solution.

    In a laboratory either Litmus or Universal Indicators are used. Litmus can only tell us if a substance is an acid or alkali while Universal Indicator tells us how strong the acid or alkali is.

    What is Universal Indicator?

    Universal Indicator shows the pH of a substance as it changed colour depending on the strength of the acid or alkali.

    Facts about Acids

    Acids have a low pH ( below 7 )

    Acids turn pH paper red or orange

    Acids taste sour.

    Some acids can damage living cells.

    Acids are neutralised by bases to make salts and water.

    Acids make hydrogen when they react with some metals.

    Acids have hydrogen in them! For example, Hydrocholoric Acid ( HCl )

    Facts about Alkalis

    Alkalis have a high pH ( over 7 ) and turn pH paper blue or purple.

    Alkalis often feel soapy or slimy.

    Alkalis can be corrosive and very damaging to skin.

    Alkalis neutalise acids to make salts and water.

    Alkalis dissolve in water to give an alkaline solution.

    Alkalis are usually Metal Oxides, Hydroxides or Carbonates eg. sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

    How to make pH indicator strips

    Last Updated on March 25, 2019 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris Bernstein

      July 31, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      We actually do this at home. To avoid too much consumption of acid.

      Reply
    2. 76Georgina

      July 28, 2017 at 9:43 pm

      Hi blogger, i must say you have high quality content here.

      Your website should go viral. You need initial traffic
      boost only. How to get it? Search for: Mertiso’s tips go viral

      Reply

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