Indicators
How can I determine what is an acid and what is a base?
Here are two easy ways to determine if a liquid is an acid or base
1. pH Scale
2. Litmus paper
1. pH Scale
2. Litmus paper
What is the pH scale?
The pH scale is a scale that measures how acidic or basic a liquid is. An acid has a pH of 0-6 and a base has a pH of 8-14. 7 on the pH scale are neutral liquids.
Yeah, but how does this thing work?
Acids are measured from 0-6. The stronger and acid is, the closer it is to 0 on the pH scale. The weaker an acid is, the closer to 6 it is.
(Click here for more information about strong and weak acids)
For example:
Lemon juice is a strong acid so it is a 1 on the pH scale.
Potatoes are a weak acid they are a 6 on the pH scale.
Bases are measured 8-14. The stronger a base is, the closer it is to 14 on the pH scale. The weaker a base is, the closer it is to 8.
(Click here for more information about strong and weak bases)
For example:
Bleach is a strong base, so it is a 13 on the pH scale.
Baking soda is a weak base, so it is an 8 on the pH scale
(Click here for more information about strong and weak acids)
For example:
Lemon juice is a strong acid so it is a 1 on the pH scale.
Potatoes are a weak acid they are a 6 on the pH scale.
Bases are measured 8-14. The stronger a base is, the closer it is to 14 on the pH scale. The weaker a base is, the closer it is to 8.
(Click here for more information about strong and weak bases)
For example:
Bleach is a strong base, so it is a 13 on the pH scale.
Baking soda is a weak base, so it is an 8 on the pH scale
But what about 7?
7 on the pH scale is neutral. This means that the number of OH- and H+ ions are equal.
For example:
Water is a 7 on the pH scale, therefore it is neutral.
For example:
Water is a 7 on the pH scale, therefore it is neutral.
What is the pOH scale?
How can you tell if a liquid is
an acid or a base?
Easy! By using litmus paper of course!
What is litmus paper?
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/0/7/50079917/2800844.jpg?345)
Litmus paper is a pH indicator. So when you pour a liquid on litmus paper, it will turn red or blue depending if it is an acid or a base.
For example:
Acids turn blue litmus to red
Acids turn methyl orange to red
Bases turn red litmus to blue
Bases turn methyl orange to yellow
Neutrals turn any litmus paper green.
Click here for more information about acid base properties.
Watch the video below to see how you use litmus paper to test acids and bases!!
For example:
Acids turn blue litmus to red
Acids turn methyl orange to red
Bases turn red litmus to blue
Bases turn methyl orange to yellow
Neutrals turn any litmus paper green.
Click here for more information about acid base properties.
Watch the video below to see how you use litmus paper to test acids and bases!!
This is so cool!! But what happens when an acid and a base react with one another?
To acid-base reactions we go!!