Household Acids and Bases Lab

In this lab, we performed a series of tests to find out the pH levels of different household items with different tests.  For the first test, we put certain liquids and mixtures onto a litmus sheet to see what color it would change to.  We tested, vinegar, ammonia, lemon juice, coke, drain cleaner, laundry detergent, baking soda and skim milk.  For the second test we added 3mL of cabbage juice to each test tube full of one of the above liquids/mixture to see the color change.  When we added the cabbage juice, the change was instantaneous.  For the final test, we put a pH sensor into each solution.  

Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Coke, and skim milk are acids because their pH level is lower than 7.  Ammonia, drain cleaner, laundry detergent, Baking Soda are basics because their pH levels are higher than 7.

Advantages to red cabbage juice and litmus papers are that they are easy to obtain. They are also fast and easy to perform. Although, the pH level will not be exact.