How can we differentiate acids and bases? How do we know if a substance is an acid or a base? There are different methods to discover whether a substance is an acid or a base. One of the methods is by using an acid-base indicator or by identifying hydrogen or hydroxide ions in a substance’s chemical formula.
Certain materials such as a plastic template, red litmus paper, blue litmus paper, phenolphthalein, universal indicator, and a pH chart can be used to help us distinguish acids and bases. Before beginning this experiment, a lab coat and goggles should be put on for safety considerations. After having appropriate clothing, begin setting up the experiment. Begin setting up the plastic template using a 5x1 matrix. This signifies that in this lab, 5 drops of the unknown substances will be dropped horizontally across each well of that substance’s row. Afterwards one drop of the indicator will be dropped across the column of the indicator.
Next we need to observe the changes made in the wells of each substance. Phenolphthalein is a weak acid often used as an indicator. …show more content…
When Phenolphthalein was added to HNO3, H2SO4, and HCL, the substances stayed clear. When Universal Indicator was dropped into the substances, the substances turned red which classifies a 4 in the pH scale proving it is an acid. When red and blue litmus papers where dropped into the substances, the red litmus paper remained red while the blue litmus paper turned red classifying these substances as acids. When Phenolphthalein was added to NaOH, Ca(OH)2, and NH4OH, the substances turned pink. When Universal Indicator was dropped into the substances most of the substances turned into a blue-colored substance which is classified as a 9-11 in the pH scale. When red and blue litmus papers where dropped into the wells of the plastic template, the red litmus paper turned blue while the blue litmus paper remained the
Certain materials such as a plastic template, red litmus paper, blue litmus paper, phenolphthalein, universal indicator, and a pH chart can be used to help us distinguish acids and bases. Before beginning this experiment, a lab coat and goggles should be put on for safety considerations. After having appropriate clothing, begin setting up the experiment. Begin setting up the plastic template using a 5x1 matrix. This signifies that in this lab, 5 drops of the unknown substances will be dropped horizontally across each well of that substance’s row. Afterwards one drop of the indicator will be dropped across the column of the indicator.
Next we need to observe the changes made in the wells of each substance. Phenolphthalein is a weak acid often used as an indicator. …show more content…
When Phenolphthalein was added to HNO3, H2SO4, and HCL, the substances stayed clear. When Universal Indicator was dropped into the substances, the substances turned red which classifies a 4 in the pH scale proving it is an acid. When red and blue litmus papers where dropped into the substances, the red litmus paper remained red while the blue litmus paper turned red classifying these substances as acids. When Phenolphthalein was added to NaOH, Ca(OH)2, and NH4OH, the substances turned pink. When Universal Indicator was dropped into the substances most of the substances turned into a blue-colored substance which is classified as a 9-11 in the pH scale. When red and blue litmus papers where dropped into the wells of the plastic template, the red litmus paper turned blue while the blue litmus paper remained the