Name _______________________________________Date_________________Period_____________
Using the 0 to 14 pH Indicator Paper Strip
In this activity, you will use pH indicator strips to determine the pH level of various common substances.
1. Under pH indicator paper strip type, be sure that 0-14 paper is selected. Look at the pH color chart
in the Gizmo
tm
. This chart allows you to match colors from a test strip of 0-14 paper to get a pH
value for a substance.
1. On the pH color chart, do colors in the red-orange family indicate that the substance is an
acid or a base? (Remember, pH between 0 and 7 is an acid, and pH between 7 and 14 is a
base.)
2. On the pH color chart, do colors in the blue-green family indicate that the substance is an
acid or a base?
2. Make a copy of the table below to collect your pH data. You can either copy, paste, and print the
table, or you can remake it yourself, by hand.
3. In the left side of the Gizmo, under Substances in the Tube, be sure that Ammonia is selected from
the dropdown list. Also be sure that 0-14 paper is still selected. Then click Test. After the test strip
moves to the right side of the Gizmo, drag the test strip over the pH color chart. Place the strip next
to the color in the color chart that best matches the strip.
1. What pH value does that color correspond with? That number is the pH value of ammonia.
Record that value under pH value in your data table.
2. Is ammonia acidic, alkaline, or neutral? Write that information in the last column in your
data table.
4. Click Reset. Repeat step 2 of this activity, choosing each of the Substances in the Tube to complete
your data table. Record your results in the data table as you complete testing on each substance.
5. In general, what types of substances are strong bases? In general, what types of substances tested
are strong acids? Which substance is neutral?
