ACIDS and BASES

(Determining the Acidity or Basicity of Some Common Household Items)

I.OBJECTIVE:
To find out if a given household material is acidic or basic using plant indicators
II.MATERIALS:
Natural indicators (plant extracts), vinegar ,distilled water, tap water, baking powder,
Toothpaste, shampoo, soap, detergent, softdrink, calamansi, coconut water, tomato,
Vials, stirrer, droppers
III.PROCEDURE:
1. Place 2 drops of each sample on each of the vials. Take note of the color of each sample.
2. Add 4 drops of the plant indicator ( eggplant extract) on each of the vials. First take note
of the color of the plant indicator then the color change when added to the samples.
Record your observations on the table.
3. Repeat Procedure 1 and 2 but this time use another plant indicator ( camias extract).
4. Determine the acidity or basicity of the samples by using the Color Scheme below.
Strongly acidic : red to pale red
Weakly acidic : blue
Weakly basic : green
Strongly basic : yellow
* Record your observations on the table – Nature of the Sample
Table 1. Acidic or Basic Nature of Household Materials

Household Color of Color of Color of Color of Nature of the

Materials/ Sample The Indicator 1 Indicator The Sample
Sample (eggplant) 2 Mixture ( acid or base )
( Camias )
1. Calamansi
2. Tap water
3. Distilled water
4. Vinegar
5. Baking powder
6. Softdrink
7. Coconut water
8. Toothpaste
9. Shampoo
10. soap
11. tomato
12. fresh egg
white
13. milk

Guide Questions:
1. Which of the samples in the table are acidic?
2. Which of the samples are basic?
IV. GENERALIZATION:

V. APPLICATION:
Why is important to know the nature of household materials and other items?