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Chemistry · JSS 3 Basic Science

Acids, bases and indicators

Aim: To use litmus paper and universal indicator to tell acids, alkalis and neutral solutions apart.

Apparatus

  • Red and blue litmus paper
  • Universal indicator
  • Six solutions: lemon juice, vinegar, pure water, baking soda solution, soap solution, lime water

Method

  1. Choose a solution.
  2. Test it with blue litmus, red litmus and universal indicator.
  3. Record the colours in your table.
  4. Use the colour of the universal indicator to decide the pH.
  5. Say whether each solution is an acid, an alkali or neutral.

Safety: In a real laboratory, wear safety glasses and never taste any solution. Lime water and strong acids can harm the eyes and skin.

1. Choose a solution

SolutionBlue litmusRed litmusUniversalIt is
Your results will appear here.

Questions on your practical

Answer these the way the WAEC Alternative to Practical paper asks: from what you observed, recorded and worked out.

  1. 1. Solution X turned blue litmus paper red. Solution X is
  2. 2. Universal indicator turned blue-purple in soap solution. Its pH is most likely
  3. 3. A farmer's soil is too acidic. Which substance can be added to reduce the acidity?
  4. 4. Red litmus paper stays red in a solution. The solution may be
  5. 5. Pure water does not change either litmus paper. It is