Abbey

pH testing

Acid Balance? What It Is and Why You Should Care

Acids and bases (alkaline) are measured on the pH (Potential Hydrogen) scale. The scale ranges from 0-14, 0 being extremely acid, 7 being the neutral point and 14 being extremely alkaline.

Our bodies need to maintain a slightly alkaline environment of 7.36 to 7.44 on the pH scale, because every cell in our bodies functions optimally within this pH range. When we consume food, all the micronutrients present themselves to the kidneys as either an acid forming compound or an alkaline forming compound.

 

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Experiment – Testing solutions for Acid or Alkaline (Base)

 

What identifies a lollie, piece of food, piece of fruit, chemical or item as acidic?  (How does it react with humans – taste, touch, smell etc..)  if you ate a sour lollie or lemon you might scrunch up your face and your nose might start to feel blotted and your face will feel like it’s expanding drastically you will probably  spit the lollie or lemon out .

 

What identifies a lollie, piece of food, piece of fruit, chemical or item as base (Alkaline)? (How does it react with humans – taste, touch, smell etc..) Acid will burn your skin but Alkaline wont.

 

Can you think of any item or fluid that is neutral? Water

 

Do you know what item is used to test for acid/base?  Indicator paper

 

Today we will test several solutions for their acid or base properties.  Each item must be made into a liquid – using water as the agent in which to dissolve them.

 

For each of the items, first write down whether or not you think the solution is alkaline or acidic – and why you think this.

 

Your litmus paper is orange – the deeper red it turns, the more that item is acidic.  The deeper blue it turns, the more alkaline.

 

 

Item – Lemon. I expect Lemon to be strongly acidic. I was right – it turned the testing paper red – pH 2

 

Item – Vinegar.  I expect vinegar to be medium alkaline.  I was right again – it turned the testing paper red –pH4

 

Item – Jif cleaner.  I expect Jiff Cleaner to be strongly alkaline.  I was right again – turning the test paper blue – pH 5 to 7

 

 

Item – Soap. I expect the liquid soap to be strongly alkaline.  It was alkaline, but only mildly. pH7

 

 

Item – Tartaric acid.  I expect the Tartaric acid to be strongly acidic.  It was right again! pH 1!

 

 

 

Now you can find FOUR other items/solutions

 

Apple juice.  I expect the apple juice to be mildly acidic.  I was right again – pH level 4

 

Cooking Oil.  I expect the cooking oil to be mild  acidic. It was almost neutral – slightly red at pH 6

 

 

Baby Wipe Cloths.  I expect these Baby Wipes to be slightly alkaline. it was – with a pH 6

 

Toothpaste.  I expect the toothpaste to be neutral, and I was right again.