This is an optional experiment.

In this experiment you will learn how to properly neutralize and dispose of acid and basic solutions. Remember, when a solution has a pH of 7 is is considered neutralized.

Materials

(8) Pieces of Litmus Paper (with color reference chart)
5 mL 4.5% Acetic Acid (vinegar), C₂H₄O₂
0.25 g Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda), NaHCO₃
*Permanent Marker
*Pen or Pencil
*Distilled Water
(2) Pipettes
(1) Weigh Boat
(1) 100 mL Graduated Cylinder
(1) 100 mL Beaker
*Camera / Smart Phone

*You must provide.

Procedure

Use the permanent marker to label a weigh boats as A.
Use the permanent marker to label a 100 mL beaker B.
Obtain a cup or shallow plastic container. This will be container C.
Set the containers in the order A, B, and C.
Pour the 5 mL of acetic acid in your kit into weigh boat A.
Add the 0.25 g of sodium bicarbonate into beaker B.
Use the 100 mL graduated cylinder to measure and pour 50 mL of water into beaker B. Gently pipette the solution up and down until the sodium bicarbonate is fully dissolved in the water. Leave this pipette in beaker B to mix the solution in future steps.
Fill container C approximately halfway with water.
Use the litmus paper to determine if the substances in containers A - C are acidic, basic, or neutral. Briefly dip an unused strip of the litmus paper into each liquid. Look at the color reference chart to determine the acidic, basic, or neutral nature of the solutions tested. Record your color results immediately after dipping (for accuracy) in Table 1 of your experiment data sheet.
Pipette 1 mL of acetic acid from weigh boat A into beaker B. Ensure the transfer pipette does not touch the solution in beaker B.
Gently pipette the solution in beaker B with its pipette to mix.
Test the pH of beaker B using new litmus paper and immediately record your result in Table 2 of your data sheet.
Repeat Steps 9-12 four more times until all the acetic acid has been added to beaker B.

Download your Data Collection Sheet

Table 1: Initial pH Test Results

Table 2: Initial pH Neutralization