Colorful Chemistry - Cause A Reaction

with the ND Chem Demo Team

Explore acids, bases, and pH scale with three artful hands-on experiments. Learn about chemistry by predicting, testing, and creating with common household products. Ages 6-11 welcome.

1. Understanding Acids & Bases with Color Change Chemistry! We will teach the kids about the properties of acids and bases as well as the concept of the pH scale. Then, we will have them predict whether various household items (lemon juice, sparkling water, cream of tartar, various cleaning products, food lye, & antiacid tabs) are acidic or basic. We will then test their hypothesis by adding red cabbage juice, a natural pH indicator, to these items and observing what color changes occur. If an item is more acidic, the red cabbage juice will turn red or pink, if an item is more basic the red cabbage juice will turn blue, green, or yellow, and if an item is neutral the red cabbage juice will remain purple. This activity will introduce kids to fundamental chemistry concepts (acids, bases, and the pH scale) while also sparking their interest in science through vivid color changing chemical reactions!

2. Art with Acid-Base Chemistry! Turmeric is another natural pH indicator which will turn different colors when exposed to acids and bases. Kids will get paper pre-stained with turmeric and then be able to paint on this paper with lemon juice (an acid) and baking soda mixed with water (a base). The turmeric stained paper will become pale yellow when the acid is used and red when the base is used. This activity will teach kids about acids and bases while also exposing them to the intersection of science and art! 

3. Making Messy Monsters! Our last activity will allow the children to perform their very own acid-base chemical reaction. Kids will be given a plastic cup with holes pre-cut into the side. They will then draw a fun monster face on the cup using the pre-cut holes as the eyes, mouth, nose, etc… of their creature. We will then use chemistry to bring their monster to life! We will have them predict what will happen when we mix baking soda (a base) with vinegar (an acid). Then we will put their monster into a clear secondary container (to keep things from getting too messy) and have them add baking soda into their cup, then add a premeasured amount of vinegar mixed with water and dish soap. Their creature will bubble and fizz and the chemical reaction creates carbon dioxide, water and salt. This experiment will teach them about neutralization reactions and highlight how science can be used in fun, creative ways! 

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