Chemical Chaos

On the 27th of October we tried out the "Appalling Acid" test.

Step 1: First we filled two test tubes two-thirds full with water and placed them in the stand.

Step 2: We then added one small scoop of red cabbage juice powder to each test tube and stirred.

Step 3: I added one medium scoop of bicarbonate of soda to one test tube and three small scoops of citric acid to the other.

The Rotten Result

The citric acid solution turned red when the red cabbage juice powder was added and the bicarbonate of soda solution turned blue. (A solution is one substance dissolved into another).

The Revolting Remarks

The red cabbage juice is an acid-base indicator like litmus paper. This means that it changes colour depending on how acidic or basic a solution is. An acid (like citric acid) turns red in red cabbage juice powder and water, while a base (like bicarbonate of soda) turns blue. You can use red cabbage juice powder to work out if a solution is an acid or a base!