Natural Indicator Experiment

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The Acidic Environment‎ > 1. Indicators‎ > ‎

Perform a first-hand investigation to prepare and test a natural indicator[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]

  • To prepare a natural indictor:
    • Select a suitable coloured plant material, such as purple cabbage.
    • Extract the colour from the plant material by either:
      • Boiling it in water.
      • Crushing it with water or alcohol using a mortar and pestle.
    • Decant the solution from the solid.
  • To test a natural indicator:
    • Dip the ends of two strips of filter paper into the indicator and allow to dry.
    • Using an eyedropper, apply a drop of strong acid to one strip and a drop of strong base to the other strip.
    • Record any changes in colour.
    • Add additional drops of acid and base to the strips until no further changes in colour are observed.
  • If an indicator is prepared from purple cabbage, the following colours should be observed:
    • Initial/Neutral colourPurple
    • Colour when exposed to strong acidPink, then Red
    • Colour when exposed to strong baseBlue-Green, then Yellow
Purple cabbage

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