Science experiments you can try at home! Justin Huffman from Penn State Altoona’s Lions Learning Lab is showing us how to create an acid-base indicator using purple cabbage!
Purple Cabbage Acid/Base Indicator”
Demonstration Concept
This science demonstration teaches kids how to make an acid/base indicator from purple cabbage and use it to determine if a substance is acidic or basic!
Materials
1 head of purple cabbage
Water
Clear plastic cups
Microwave safe container/ or pot
Microwave or stove
Knife
Strainer
Coffee filter
Container to hold cabbage juice solution for storage
Various substances to test (examples: white vinegar, baking soda solution dissolved in water,milk, …etc.)
Instructions
Special Note: This procedure should be done with an adult!!!
Chop up ¼ of a head of purple cabbage into small pieces.
Place the small pieces of purple cabbage into a microwave-safe container.
Add 3 cups of water to the container containing the cabbage.
Place the container into the microwave and heat for 5 minutes. (Note: If you wish to use the stove, place the chopped cabbage into a pot and add the 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.)
After heating in the microwave or on the stove, strain the solution through a strainer containing a coffee filter into a clean container for storage.
Allow the solution to cool down to room temperature before use.
Once cooled, your ready to test your cabbage juice indicator with various substances!!!
Note: The cabbage juice indicator can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week!
Visit Lions Learning Lab for more information.