Q&A for How to Distinguish Between Acids and Bases

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What is the major difference between acid and base?

Chris Hasegawa, PhD
Retired Science Professor & Dean
Dr. Chris Hasegawa was a Science Professor and the Dean at California State University Monterey Bay. Dr. Hasegawa specializes in teaching complex scientific concepts to students. He holds a BS in Biochemistry, a Master’s in Education, and his teaching credential from The University of California, Davis. He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Oregon. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Hasegawa conducted biochemical research in Neuropharmacology at the National Institute of Health. He also taught physical and life sciences and served as a teacher and administrator at public schools in California, Oregon, and Arizona.

Chris Hasegawa, PhD

Retired Science Professor & Dean

Expert Answer

Ultimately, you'll notice notice a difference in the number of ions between acidic and basic solutions.

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How do you introduce the topic of acids and bases?

Chris Hasegawa, PhD
Retired Science Professor & Dean
Dr. Chris Hasegawa was a Science Professor and the Dean at California State University Monterey Bay. Dr. Hasegawa specializes in teaching complex scientific concepts to students. He holds a BS in Biochemistry, a Master’s in Education, and his teaching credential from The University of California, Davis. He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Oregon. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Hasegawa conducted biochemical research in Neuropharmacology at the National Institute of Health. He also taught physical and life sciences and served as a teacher and administrator at public schools in California, Oregon, and Arizona.

Chris Hasegawa, PhD

Retired Science Professor & Dean

Expert Answer

Approach the topic hands-on! For instance, you could teach your students how to dilute both acidic and basic solutions.

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Question

What color will methyl orange be when it comes into contact with an acid or base?

Han

Community Answer

Methyl orange will turn red below a pH of 3.1, orange between 3.1 and 4.4, and yellow above 4.4.

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What are some different ways in which I could test whether a liquid is basic or acidic?

Community Answer

Ph strip colors are a good indicator. Yellow, red, or orange is acid. Green is neutral. Blue, indigo, and violet indicates basic.

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Can I ascertain the exact pH value for a solution with pH paper?

Community Answer

So, pH paper has a neutral range where it won't react to weak acids or bases. Look up what that range is. Then to find the pH of an acid, and dilute it drop by drop with water until it becomes too dilute to turn blue litmus paper red. Now you have a good estimate of the pH of the diluted acid, and how much you diluted it to get to the neutral range, so you can do a math calculation to find the pH of the undiluted sample.

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What if red cabbage is not available? What can I use as substitute?

Abigail Cain

Community Answer

If you are looking for another common household item that could be used as an indicator, try turmeric. This yellow spice stays yellow when in contact with acidic and neutral substances, but turns bright red when it is exposed to basic solutions.

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