Honorato C. Perez Sr.

Memorial Science High School

S.Y. 2022-2023
Research I (Grade 9)

Name and Section: ________________________

9-Gold
Natural pH Indicator Experiment

Learning Objectives

At the end of this worksheet the students be able to:

• Formulate and create research problems and research title based on the experiment that will be
performed.

Direction: Read and analyze the paragraph. Answer the questions after the paragraph.

Research Topic

You are an environmental engineer working on water remediation or water treatment projects. Understanding the
chemical properties (including pH) of contaminants is important for safeguarding the health of environmental
water sources and systems. The pH values of different liquids and solutions are important to consider, especially
as they relate to bodies of water and explaining the behavior of minerals and chemicals. For example, at acidic pH
values, water begins to cause harm and destruction of ecosystems and minerals, as evidenced by acidic water
dissolving the calcium carbonate. Therefore, you want to develop a natural pH indicator using anthocyanins, a
natural pigment, which changes color in different pH. The figure below shows the shifts in molecular structure of
anthocyanin as the pH of the solution changes from acidic to basic and vice versa.

Figure 1. Molecular Structure of Anthocyanin at different pH.

The researchers will be comparing the color changes of anthocyanin from purple cabbage extract as pH indicator
and using the pH-indicator strips to determine if the solutions are acidic or basic. The table on the left shows the
color indicator at different pH using purple cabbage.

Guide Questions.

1. What is the research problem? Formulate the statement of the problem.

What are the effects of the Anthocyanin from purple cabbage extract to different solutions? Is
there a significant difference of the extracted Anthocyanin as pH indicator to different solutions compared
to the use of pH strips?

2. What is the appropriate research title for the experiment?

Assessing the Impact of Anthocyanin from Purple Cabbage Extract as pH Indicator to Different
Solutions

3. Write the conclusion for the experiment.

In the end of the experiment, we concluded that the Anthocyanin has different effects on the pH
levels of different solutions determining its acidity. Compared to the use of pH strips, the result of the
acidity levels is almost the same, making the purple cabbage extract a solution capable of determining the
pH level of a solution if mixed with.

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IJAB 2023
Honorato C. Perez Sr. Memorial Science High School
S.Y. 2022-2023
Research I (Grade 9)

Data Gathering

1. Pour a small amount of the different solution in each paper cup that is listed in the table below. Dip the
end of the pH-indicator strips to measure and record the pH values in the table below.

Solution pH
Calamansi Juice 2
Baking soda solution 3
Vinegar 4
Soda 3
Water 7
NaOH solution 10

2. Add just enough natural pH until you see a color change. Record your observations. The table below
shows the color indicator at different pH using purple cabbage.

Solution Color Change Acidic/ Basic

Calamansi Juice Salmon pink acidic
Baking soda purple acidic
Vinegar Dark pink acidic
Soda red acidic
Water violet acidic
NaOH solution Blue green basic

3. How did your results from the natural pH indicator compare to the pH indicator strips? What are
similarities and/or differences?

Observing the two results the natural pH indicator compared to the pH indicator strips, we’ve
observed that it is almost similar, although there are inconsistencies in the levels. Example is the pH level
of water, in the natural way of pH indicator the result turned it to be and acid, although it is common
knowledge that water is neutral at 7. But throughout the experiment, both processes are able to constantly
determine if it’s an acidic or basic solution.

Scoring Guideline for the Experiment

Criteria Beginner (1) Standard (3) Outstanding (5) Score

Research Title Did not write a Comprehensive but does Comprehensive and the title
research title. not specify the objectives of is relevant and specify the
the research. objectives of the research.
Research Problem Did not state the Clearly but not completely Completely and clearly
problem. stated the problem. stated the problem
Result and Presented the Presented the results Presented and discussed the
Discussion results completely but incorrectly results completely.
incompletely. discussed.

Conclusion No conclusion. Conclusion is incomplete Conclusion is complete and

accurate.

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