Name:

Virtual Biology Lab #9: pH and Flower Color Lab

Website: http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/BL04/BL04.html

Background & Introduction: The color of Bigleaf Hydrangea flowers can be varied by changing the pH of the soil in
which the plant is grown. Hydrangeas grown in soil that is acidic will have blue flowers. Hydrangeas grown in soil that is
alkaline [basic] will have pink flowers. pH is measure of whether a substance is acidic or basic. The pH of an acidic
substance is below 7 while a basic substance is above 7. Neutral substances have a pH of 7.
The actual cause of color variation is due to the presence or absence of aluminum compounds in the soil the flowers are
growing in. Aluminum is a plant nutrient that is only available to plants when the soil pH is low (having a pH value of less
than 6). It is unavailable at higher pH levels. When aluminum is present within the plant, the flower color will be blue.
When aluminum is absent, the flowers will be pink. Adding lime to the soil increases the pH of the soil. Adding aluminum
sulfate to the soil decreases the pH of the soil.
To test a soil’s pH value, a sample of the soil can be dissolved in distilled water. Next, pH paper is dipped into the soil
and water mixture. Once the pH paper is dipped into the mixture, the paper’s color can be compared to a pH reference
scale to determine the soil sample’s pH value.
In this Virtual Lab, you will assume the role of a gardener. You will experiment with soil pH in order to grow a desired
color variation of Hydrangeas. You will determine which specific color of Hydrangea flower is produced given the pH
value of the soil the plant is grown in.

Pre-Lab Questions (Use the Background and Introduction to Answer)

1. What color are hydrangeas grown in acidic soil?
(Type here)

2. What color are hydrangeas grown in basic soil?

(Type here)

3. What is the pH of an acidic substance?

(Type here)

4. What is the pH of a basic substance?

(Type here)

5. What is the pH of a neutral substance?

(Type here)

6. What color are the flowers when aluminum is present?

(Type here)

7. What color are the flowers when aluminum is absent?

(Type here)

8. What increases the pH of the soil?

(Type here)

9. What decreases the pH of the soil?

(Type here)

10. How can the pH of soil be tested?

(Type here)
Objectives:
· Understand that the pH scale is used to measure the strength of acids and bases.
· Use an indicator to measure pH of soil.
· Predict flower colors in Hydrangeas grown under different soil pH conditions.
· Adjust soil pH to grow Hydrangea flowers with a desired flower color.

→Begin on the webpage listed at the top of this page. You can access the link from your schoology page. When the
webpage opens, click on the puzzle piece in the center of your screen and also make sure you click allow in the popup box
to load the webpage.

Procedure
Directions: Follow the steps below to complete the lab using the webpage. Make sure you input your data into the table
below in the area labeled in green.
1. For this Virtual Lab, you may choose to grow a specific Hydrangea flower color by adjusting the pH of the potting soil,
or you may choose to predict what flower color will be produced by soil with a certain pH value.
2. Use the Reference Card to find information about the relationship between soil pH and Hydrangea flower color.
Reference Card

3. Take a sample of the potting soil in the Flower Pot by clicking the Take Soil Sample Button. The distilled water in the
Graduated Cylinder changes color and looks like soil has been dissolved in it.
4. Click and drag a piece of pH Paper to the Graduated Cylinder. Once the pH Paper has sampled the soil and distilled
water mixture in the Graduated Cylinder, compare the pH paper to the pH Reference Scale.
5. If you want to increase the pH value of the soil, click the Lime Container Button. To determine the pH value of the new
soil sample, repeat Steps 3 and 4.
6. If you want to decrease the pH value of the soil, click the Aluminum Sulfate Container Button. To determine the pH
value of the new soil sample, repeat Steps 3 and 4.
7. Repeat Steps 3-6 until the soil matches your desired pH value.
8. After you have tested and adjusted the soil’s pH, click the grow button to see the flower color of the grown plant. The
calendar shows how long it takes for the Hydrangea to grow. If the soil’s pH is too high or too low, no flower will bloom.
9. Record the soil pH value and the flower color for this soil sample in the Table.
10. Click the Reset Button to grow a new Hydrangea plant.
11. Repeat steps 2-10 to experiment with soil pH values and colors of Hydrangea plant flowers.
 Table : Soil pH and Hydrangea Flower Color
Soil Sample Soil pH Value Hydrangea Flower Color
Soil Sample #1

Soil Sample #2

Soil Sample #3

Soil Sample #4

Analysis and Conclusion Questions: Answer the following questions about your lab.
1. What flower color matched the lowest soil pH value you collected in which a flower was produced? What was the
soil’s pH?

(Type here)

2. What flower color matched the highest soil pH value you collected in which a flower was produced? What was the
soil’s pH?

(Type here)

3. Suppose you wanted to grow Hydrangeas with an intense blue color. Your soil has a value of 6.2. What needs to be
added to the soil in order to produce the desired flower color?

(Type here)

4. Suppose you wanted to grow Hydrangeas with an intense pink color. Your soil has a pH value of 4.7. What needs to
be added to the soil in order to produce the desired flower color?

(Type here)

5. Suppose you are given soil to grow Hydrangeas in. You take a sample of the soil and determine that its pH is 6.0.
What hydrangea flower color would you expect for plants grown in this soil? Why?

(Type here)

6. Suppose you are given soil to grow Hydrangeas in. You take a sample of the soil and determine its pH is 7.5. What
Hydrangea flower color would you expect for plants grown in this soil? Why?

(Type here)

7. What is the relationship between Hydrangea flower color and soil pH?

(Type here)