Practical: red cabbage indicator solution
I can make red cabbage indicator solution and use it to test solutions to find out if they are acid or alkali.
Practical: red cabbage indicator solution
I can make red cabbage indicator solution and use it to test solutions to find out if they are acid or alkali.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Red cabbage solution is pink or red in an acid, purple in a neutral solution, and green in an alkali.
- Different chemical indicators have their advantages and disadvantages.
- Universal indicator will turn many different colours depending on pH.
Keywords
Universal indicator solution - a solution or paper that will turn different colours depending on pH of the solution.
PH scale - is a scale from 1 to 14 used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of solutions. pH7 is for neutral solutions.
Pestle and mortar - are tools used to crush and grind substances. The pestle is a grinding club and the mortar a heavy bowl.
Chemical indicator - is a chemical that will change colour to indicate the presence of a substance, for example if a solution is an acid or alkali.
Solution - formed when a substance dissolves into a liquid.
Common misconception
Pupils often think that the red cabbage will change to the same colours as universal indicator solution.
Remind pupils that there are many different indicators used to show different pH.
Equipment
Red cabbage, kettle, pestle and mortar, beaker, pipette, filter paper, funnel, conical flask, stirring rod, spotting tile, universal indicator, red and blue litmus, solutions with varying pH's.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a solution with a pH of 7
a solution with a pH of 3
a solution with a pH of 14
Exit quiz
6 Questions
acidic solution
alkaline solution
neutral solution
red litmus
blue litmus
universal indicator
red cabbage indicator