Activity No.

6
DISTINGUISHING ACIDS AND
BASES

Objectives
At the end of the activity, students
will be able to:
differentiate acids from bases based on
color changes in the presence of
indicator dyes and paper indicator
determine the reactivity of acids and
bases based on their reactions with
metals and carbonates
determine the conductivity of acids
and bases using an improvised
conductivity apparatus

MATERIALS NEEDED
 Reaction vessel/paint palette
 Lemon juice
 Limewater
 Purple cabbage indicator
 Aspirin powder
 0.1 M HCl
 0.1 M NaOH
 Ammonia containing solution
 Chalk powder
 Acetic acid/vinegar
 Sodium bicarbonate
 Distilled water
 Conductivity apparatus
 Aluminum foil

PROCEDURE

Setup 1: Observation of Color Change of Indicators

1. Prepare the reaction vessel (figure 6-1):
2. For the preparation of cabbage indicator, please refer to Appendix 2.
3. On the first well of the palette, place 10 drops of lemon juice.
4. Fill the second well with limewater.
5. Add two drops of red cabbage indicator and observe for changes in color of the
solutions.
7. On the third well, add a small spatula of aspirin powder.
8. Add 10 drops of ammonia containing household solution on the fourth well.
9. Add 10 drops of HCl on the fifth well.
10. Add 10 drops of NaOH on the sixth well.
11. Test the substances with previously prepared red cabbage indicator solution.
12. Record all your observations in table 6-1.

Setup 2: Effect of Acids on metals

1. On well 1 of the palette, put 1 small spatula of iron powder and add 10 drops of
HCl.
2. Perform the same procedure on well 2 using magnesium ribbon instead of iron.
2. Record all observations in table 6-2.

Figure 6-1. The Reaction Vessel: A Paint Palette

Setup 3: Effect of Acids on Carbonates
1. On the reaction vessel, fill well 1 with one small spatula of chalk powder and add 5
drops of 1 M HCl.
2. Fill well 2 with one small spatula of sodium bicarbonate and add 5 drops of 1 M HCl.
3. Record all your observations in 6-3.

Setup 4: Using pH Indicator Paper

1. A pH indicator paper may be prepared by soaking strips of Whatman 40 filter paper to
the previously prepared red cabbage solution in setup 1.
2. After 30 minutes of soaking, allow the strips to dry.
3. On the table top, place paper towel and lay down white bond paper.
4. Lay the indicator strips on the white sheet, well spaced out.
5. Drop the test solutions on each strip
Strip 1 -vinegar
Strip 2 -HCl
Strip 3 -NH4OH
Strip 4 - Limewater
Strip 5 - distilled water.
6. Determine the pH (refer to Appendix 2) and record in table 6-4.

Setup 5: Conductivity of Acids and Bases

The experiment will follow the setup in figure 6-2.

1. Cut four strips of aluminum foil measuring 6 cm x 0.5 cm to form the electrodes.
2. On the reaction vessel, bend two strips of foil into well 1.
3. Attach the strips to the table with a sticky tape to prevent them from moving.
4. Using one of the wires, connect the positive terminal of the battery with the anode of
the LED.
5. With the second wire, connect the LED’s cathode to one of the aluminum foil strips.
6. Via a third wire, connect the other strip of foil to the negative terminal of the battery.
7. Add three drops of 1 M HCl to well 1.
8. Record your observations in table 6-5.
9. Disconnect the wires from the two strips.
10. Bend 2 new strips into well 2 of the reaction vessel and attach them on the table.
11. Connect the wires to the ends of the new strips and drop by drop, add sodium
hydroxide solution in well 2 until the ends of the aluminum strips are covered.
12. Record relevant results.
Figure 6-2. Improvised Conductivity Apparatus for Acids and Bases
 Name :_________________________________ Date of Experiment: ___/___/___
Section :_________________________________ Date Submitted: ___/___/___
Group # :_________________________________ Score:________________________

Activity No. 6
DISTINGUISHING ACIDS AND BASES

I. Objectives

At the end of the activity, students will be able to:

 Differentiate acids from bases based on color changes in the presence of indicator dyes
and paper indicator
 Determine the reactivity of acids and bases based on their reactions with metals and
carbonates
 Determine the conductivity of acids and bases using an improvised conductivity
apparatus

II. Data and Results

Table 6-1. Color Changes of Different Substances in the Presence of Dye Solution
Color
Substance Before After Acid or Base?
Lemon juice
Lime water
Aspirin Powder
Ammonia-containing compound
HCl
NaOH

Table 6-2. Effect of Acids on Metal

Metal Acid Observations
Table 6-3. Effect of Acids on Carbonates
Carbonate Acid Observations
Chalk Powder 5 drops 1M HCl

Sodium bicarbonate 5 drops 1M HCl

Table 6-4. Using pH Paper Indicator

Substance Color of pH Paper pH
Vinegar
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Hydroxide
Limewater
Distilled Water

Table 6-5. Conductivity of Acids and Bases

Substance Did light turn on?(Yes/No) Conductor or Nonconductor
Acid (HCl)
Base (NaOH)

III. Discussion

Guide questions for discussion:

1. What causes the change in color of the sample in the presence of dye indicator?
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2. Based on your observations, which of the substances are acids? which are bases?
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3. How do acids react with metals? with carbonates?

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4. What happened to the paper indicator when it came in contact with the samples?
Explain the changes observed.
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5. Which of the samples is a conductor of electricity? a nonconductor?
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6. Based on the results of the experiment, differentiate acids from bases.
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IV. Conclusion

Based on the results of the experiment, it can be concluded that

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