In this simple experiment, we will make a solution that will indicate the presence of an acid or a base.
Things Required:
Tea strainer
1 tablespoon
2 glass quart jars with lids
7 quart of distilled water
Uncooked purple cabbage
Directions:
Fill one jar with cabbage leaves that have been torn into small pieces. Heat the distilled water to boiling, and fill the jar containing the pieces of cabbage with the hot water. Allow the jar to stand until the water cools to room temperature. Pour the cooled cabbage solution through a tea strainer into the second quart jar. Discard the cabbage leaves. Store the cabbage juice in a refrigerator until needed.
This Is What Happens:
After standing, the water covering the cabbage leaves turns blue.
Science Behind It:
The hot water dissolves the coloured chemicals in the cabbage. These coloured chemicals turn red when mixed with an acid, and a base will produce a green colour. Cabbage juice can be used to test for the presence of two different kinds of chemicals, acid and base.
