science club

In this lunchtime's instalment of Year 7 Science Club, it was time for some fun extracurricular Chemistry learning and investigation as our scientists were tasked with testing the PH of various substances using red cabbage indicator. Acids and bases are opposites: acids have a low PH, and bases a high PH, and the experiment works as red cabbage contains a pigment called anthocyanin, which will change colour on contact.

Firstly, the team were equipped with the indicator that had been produced using chopped and boiled red cabbage, that, after a nice 10 minute simmer and 30 minute cooling period, was ready to be sieved and decanted into containers.

Our scientists then used pipettes to drop about 20ml of the indicator into each cup containing different substances, including baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and lime juice, and they recorded the colour that the indicator changed to on contact.

If the liquid changed from purple to red, this indicated acid, and if from purple to green, this indicated alkali. The different shades of colour depended on the strength of the acid or alkali, and if there was no colour change, this indicated that the substance was neutral.

Another great week of hands-on learning, with huge thanks to Mr Murray and Dr Bethell for leading, and to Mr Sharp and Mrs Yarwood for supporting.

Watch this space for more Science Club news next week!