Kids and Chemistry
Acids and Bases
Includes Activities #1 - #6

Materials marked with an asterisk (*) are not included in the chemistry kit and need to be furnished by the teacher or parent.

Activity #1
How can you change the color of grape juice?

Materials needed:
     1 funnel
     1 bag of baking soda
     1 plastic spoon
     1 empty dropper bottle
     1 eyedropper
     1 dropper bottle of vinegar
     1 plastic cup *
     1 plastic cup of grape juice *
     1 paper towel *

Additional materials for everyone to use
     Old newspapers *
     White paper towel (to observe color changes)*
     Water *
 
 

 
Activity #2
What household things are acids and bases?

Materials needed:
     1 plastic cup of grape juice (from activity 1) *
     1 paper towel *
     1 eyedropper of grape juice
     1 eyedropper or straw for each test liquid
     Test liquid samples 
        (grape juice, club soda, lemons or lemon juice, orange juice, apple juice, tonic water, shampoo, soap, ammonia, window cleaner (clear), bleach, soda pop (7up or Sprite)*

Additional materials for everyone to use
     Old newspapers*
     White paper towel (to observe color changes)*
     Water *
 
 

 
Activity #3
How do you use litmus papers?

Materials needed:
     1 packet red litmus paper
     1 bottle of vinegar
     1 bottle baking soda solution (from activities 
        1 and 2)
     1 each test samples (from activity 2) *
     1 packet blue litmus paper

Additional materials for everyone to use
     Old newspapers*
     Paper towel *
     Water*
Activity #4
What are some other properties of acids and bases?

Materials needed:
     1 bottle vinegar
     1 each test samples (from activity 2) *
     1 bottle of baking soda solution

Additional materials for everyone to use
     Old newspapers * 
     Paper towel *
     Water *

 
Activity #5
What are pH test papers and how are they used?

Materials needed: 
     1 vial pH test papers 
     1 bottle vinegar 
     1 bottle baking soda solution 
     1 each test samples (from activity 2) 

Additional materials for everyone to use: 
     Old newspapers * 
     Paper towel *
     Water *
 
Activity #6
What happens when you mix an acid with a base?

Materials needed: 
     1 clean test tube 
     1 bottle vinegar 
     1 bottle baking soda solution 
     1 vial pH test papers 
     1 eyedropper or straw 

Additional materials for everyone to use: 
     Old newspapers *
     Paper towel *
     Water *

Click here for Acid/Base Observation Chart

Students should be divided into groups of four. An adult supervisor for each group would be helpful, but is not required. Adult supervisors may be other teachers, volunteers, or parents.

Note: These are kitchen chemicals. Caution students not to eat, drink, smell, or splash chemicals of any kind. Safety goggles are recommended, but not required for this program.

See Chemistry Kit Booklet for activity details.

DEMONSTRATIONS



Please contact Dr. Marie Hankins through email or by calling 800/813-4238 (outside Evansville) or 812/464-1716.

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