Title: Acids and Bases.

AIMS:
1. To differentiate between accuracy and precision in laboratory measurements.
2. To practice using the appropriate number of significant figures in measurements.
3. To understand the importance of accuracy and precision in scientific experimentation.
INTRODUCTION:
Acid:
An acid is a substance that releases hydrogen ions (H ⁺) when dissolved in water. Acids have a sour
taste and can cause a stinging sensation on the skin. Examples of common acids include
hydrochloric acid (HCl) found in the stomach, citric acid found in citrus fruits, and acetic acid
found in vinegar.

Alkali (Base):
An alkali, also known as a base, is a substance that releases hydroxide ions (OH ⁻) when dissolved
in water. Bases have a bitter taste and feel slippery to the touch. Examples of common bases
include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), which are often found in
cleaning products and drain cleaners.

Neutral substance:
A neutral substance has a balanced concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH ⁻),
resulting in a pH of 7. Water is considered neutral, with an equal concentration of H ⁺ and OH ⁻
ions.

pH Paper and Indicators:

pH paper is a simple tool used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It contains a pH-
sensitive dye that changes color based on the pH of the solution it comes into contact with.
Indicators are substances that change color in response to changes in pH. Litmus is a common
indicator used to distinguish between acidic, alkaline, and neutral solutions. By observing the color
change of the litmus paper when dipped into a solution, we can classify the solution as acidic,
alkaline, or neutral based on the color change.
PRE-LABORATORY RISK ASSESSMENT (YOU NEED TO DO THE ANALYSIS OF
THE POTENTIAL RISKS YOU WILL FACE IN THE LABORATORY AND INCLUDE
THEM IN THIS SECTION)
PRE-LABORATORY QUESTIONS:
1. What are the characteristics of acidic substances? Provide examples of common acidic
substances.
2. Define alkaline substances. Can you give examples of household items that are alkaline?
3. Describe the role of litmus paper as an indicator in determining the acidity or alkalinity of a
substance.
4. How does litmus paper change color in acidic and alkaline solutions?
MATERIALS:
Apparatus
 Eye protection
 Watch glasses, 1 per sample (note 1)
 White tiles, 1 per sample (note 1)
 Litmus paper, 5 pieces of each per working group
Chemicals
 Fizzy drinks
 Tap water
 De-ionised/distilled water
 Toothpaste
  Shampoo
 Soap
 Vinegar
 Lemon juice
PROCEDURE:
1. Tear each piece of litmus paper into three smaller pieces so that you can test at least nine
substances.
2. Take one small piece of litmus paper.
3. Dip it into one of the substances to be tested.
4. Repeat with small pieces in all the substances.
5. Record all observations in a suitable table.
6. Dispose of the pieces of litmus paper in the waste bin.
CALCULATIONS:
NO NEEDED FOR THIS EXPERIMENT
POST-LABORATOY QUESTIONS
1. Did you encounter any unexpected results during the experiment? If so, what could be the
possible reasons for these discrepancies?
2. Based on your observations, classify the substances tested as acidic, alkaline, or neutral.
Were there any substances that did not fit into these categories?
3. Discuss the importance of using indicators like litmus paper in chemistry experiments.
How do indicators help in determining the nature of substances?
4. Explain any challenges you faced while interpreting the results using litmus paper. How
could these challenges be addressed in future experiments?
5. Reflect on the significance of understanding the pH levels of substances in everyday life.
How might knowledge of acidity and alkalinity influence our choices in household
products or food consumption?
Rubric:

Criteria Excellent (4) Good (3) Fair (2) Needs Grade

Improvement
(1)
Experimental Followed the Followed most steps Followed some steps Did not follow
Procedure procedure of the procedure of the procedure the procedure
accurately, accurately, with accurately but with accurately,
including proper minor errors in significant errors in resulting in
handling of handling or handling or recording invalid or
substances, use of recording observations. unreliable data.
litmus paper, and observations.
recording
observations
precisely.
Observations Recorded detailed Recorded Recorded observations Did not record
and Data observations of observations of with limited detail or observations
Recording color changes in color changes in accuracy, making it adequately,
litmus paper when litmus paper but difficult to interpret leading to
in contact with lacked some detail the results. incomplete or
substances, and or clarity in unclear data.
accurately documentation.
documented the
results.
Analysis of Analyzed the Analyzed the results Attempted to analyze Did not
Results results effectively, with reasonable the results but had analyze the
accurately accuracy, difficulty in results
Criteria Excellent (4) Good (3) Fair (2) Needs Grade
Improvement
(1)
categorizing categorizing most categorizing effectively,
substances as substances correctly substances accurately resulting in
acidic, alkaline, or but with some minor based on litmus paper incorrect
neutral based on errors. color changes. categorization
litmus paper color of substances.
changes.
Report Writing - The report is well- - The report is - The report lacks - The report is
organized, with organized with clear organization, with poorly
clear sections sections, but may unclear sections and organized,
including lack some detail or minimal detail in with unclear or
introduction, clarity in explanations. - missing
materials and explanations. - Provides limited sections. -
methods, results, Provides adequate explanations of Provides
discussion, and explanations of experimental insufficient or
conclusion. - experimental procedure, incorrect
Provides thorough procedure, observations, and explanations of
explanations of observations, and analysis of results. - experimental
experimental analysis of results. - Several errors in procedure,
procedure, Minor errors in grammar, spelling, or observations,
observations, and grammar, spelling, punctuation. and analysis of
analysis of results. - or punctuation. results. -
Grammar, spelling, Numerous
and punctuation are errors in
excellent. grammar,
spelling, or
punctuation.
Overall Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Demonstrates a basic Demonstrates
Understanding deep understanding good understanding understanding of the limited
of the experiment, of the experiment, experiment, but lacks understanding
including concepts but may have some depth in understanding of the
of acidity, gaps in concepts or experiment,
alkalinity, and the understanding interpreting results. with
role of indicators concepts or significant
like litmus paper. interpreting results. gaps in
understanding
concepts or
interpreting
results.
TOTAL MARKS: