Chemical Identification

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In this activity, learners discover how a cabbage juice indicator helps identify acids and bases, and how iodine indicates the presence of starch. Learners test cream of tartar, baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar with the cabbage juice, then mix acids and bases together to observe what happens. They also test paper for starch with iodine, and write a "secret message" with a wax candle on paper that is revealed when the paper is brushed with iodine. Adult supervision is recommended.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per student
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 8
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 1
 bottle
 of 
cream
 of
 tartar
  • 1
 bottle
 of
 baking 
soda
  • 1
 bottle
 of
 tincture 
of 
Iodine
  • 1
 bottle
 of
 lemon
 juice
  • 1
 bottle
 of
 vinegar
  • 1
 big 
paint 
brush
  • 2
 plastic
 pipettes
  • measuring cup
  • 5
 plastic 
test 
tubes 
with 
caps
  • 1/4 small red cabbage
  • pot
  • water
  • stove or hotplate
  • household materials to test (e.g. baking powder, water, pieces of fruit, pickle, glass cleaner, soap)
  • paper
  • wax white crayon
  • tape
  • notebook and pen/pencil

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Acids and Bases
      • Solutions
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Light and Optics
    • Light and Optics
      • Sunlight and Color
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
      • Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Shaw, Maisie ; Gomez, Maria

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Passport to Chemistry Adventure Program, Mount Holyoke College, 2010

Funding Source:

  • Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.