Name _______________ Date ________ Class _______

Zombie Virus pH Lab

Partner _________

SC.8.P.8.8 - Identify basic examples of and compare and classify the properties of compounds, including acids, bases, and
salts.
SC.8.N.1.6 - Understand that scientific investigations involve the collection of relevant empirical evidence … in devising …
explanations and models to make sense of the collected evidence.

ATTENTION: Zombie virus Z355 has broken out at Swiss Point!! Scientists believe the Z355 virus is being
transmitted through consumption of a common household substance, but aren’t sure what substance. The scientists
have obtained some contaminated brains from a local laboratory, but all the identification labels have fallen off and
the scientists don’t know which brains are infected.
Help the scientists to:
1) Determine which household substance is transmitting the Z355 virus
2) Identify which brains are infected with the Z355 virus
It is your job as student scientists to determine which brains have been infected with the Z355 Zombie virus based
on the pH level. A signature of this virus is that it lowers the pH of human brains from neutral to very acidic. It can
only survive in a substance that has a pH of lower than 3.0.
Directions: With a partner, go from station to station testing the pH level of each substance with Litmus paper.
Complete the table below – record the color of the litmus strip after testing, predict the pH level, and identify the
substance as an acid or a base. Then, analyze your data to answer the post-lab questions. Report your findings so
the scientists can determine the transmitting household substance and the infected brains and stop the outbreak.
**Be sure to follow lab procedures so you are not accidentally infected with Z355!!**

Station Substance What color did the pH prediction Acid or base?

Number Litmus paper turn?
1 Fresh Soda
2 Window cleaner
3 Baking soda
4 Crushed tomatoes
5 Dish Soap
6 White vinegar
7 Acid-Reducer
8 Bottled Water
9 Orange juice
10 Oven Cleaner
11 Brain ____
12 Brain ____
13 Brain ____

J.Horton 2017
Post Lab:
1. The Z355 virus can only survive in a substance with a pH of 3.0 and lower. Determine which
household substance(s) could be transmitting the Z355 virus. Provide data to support your answer.
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2. The Z355 virus lowers the pH level of a brain. Identify which brain(s) could be infected with the Z355
virus. Provide data to support your answer.
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3. What qualitative observations may cause you to predict that a substance is a base?
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4. What qualitative observation may cause you to predict that a substance is an acid?
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5. What quantitative observations may cause you to predict that a substance is a base?
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6. What quantitative observations may cause you to predict that a substance is an acid?
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7. Scientists measure a contaminated brain’s pH and get a reading of 6.8. Should the scientists consider
this brain infected with Z355? Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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8. Using the space below, draw a pH scale. Include the following terms on your scale: acidic,
basic/alkaline, neutral.
9. Graph each substance from Station 1 – Station 9 on the pH scale according to your pH level
prediction.
10. Add the following substances to your pH scale in the appropriate place. Use your textbook as a
resource. Salt, water, hydrochloric acid (HCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

J.Horton 2017