Easy Acid Base Experiment for CC Cycle 3 Week 19 Science


Here is a easy acid and base testing experiment for your young students that uses stuff you probably just have around the house.

Materials

  • Turmeric
  • Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
  • 6 containers
  • Labels
  • Variety of substances to test: baking soda, water, bleach, lemonade, soap, vinegar (anything else you want to test)
  • spoon

Step 1: Make the Tumeric Solution Tester

  • Tumeric Tester Solution:
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 cup isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
    • Mix together until well combined
  • We’re going to use a turmeric solution to see if a substance is an acid or base
    • If it turns red, the substance is a base
    • If there is no color change, the substance is acidic or neutral

Step 2: Prepare the test

  • Divide turmeric solution among 6 containers
  • Label each container with the substance to be tested:
    • Baking Soda
    • Water
    • Bleach
    • Lemonade
    • Soap
    • Vinegar
    • Any substance your kids want to test

Step 3: Run the Acid and Base Test

  • Pour each substance into the turmeric solution
  • Stir
  • Watch the color change to see if the substance is an acid or a base
    • Remember: red means it is a base, no change means it is an acid or neutral
  • As an extra for older students, you could add an acid (like vinegar) to a base (like bleach) and watch the colors changes back again.

*What is the difference between an acid and a base…

To find more experiments that go with the weekly science memory work, check out my guide here.

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