The Green Parent
Raising kids with conscience
11 Mar 2009
Make your own litmus
Did you know that cabbage can be used to test the acidity or alkalinity of other substances, in a similar way to litmus paper? Today as part of National Science Week we find out how to create acid-alkaline indicator, using the humble red cabbage.
What you need:
Pickled red cabbage
vinegar
Bicarbonate of soda
at least three containers, such as small glass jars or even test tubes
What to do:
• Remove the cabbage from the jar as you only need the fluid that was in the jar. Put aside for your Dad to eat later.
• Pour a little of the cabbage juice into each of your containers. Note the colour of the juice. Put one container with the juice in to one side.
• In another container add a small pinch of bicarbonate of soda to the juice. What happens?
• To a different container add a small amount of vinegar to the juice. What happens?
Why it works:
The colouring in the cabbage juice is an acid/alkaline indicator. When it is in an acid, such as vinegar, the juice turns red. When it is in an alkaline, such as bicarbonate of soda in turns blue-green. Are there any other substances that you could test? You could try lemon juice, washing up liquid and soap flakes, for example.
Melissa Corkhill is the editor of The Green Parent magazine, mother of two and author of the book Green Parenting
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The Green Parent is the UK's leading green lifestyle and natural parenting magazine. A truly inspiring read, TGP is like nothing else on the newsstand, with insightful intelligent journalism covering topics from babywearing and attachment parenting to home-education and alternative medicine. Each issue features regular columns on Organic Gardening, Seasonal Food and Drink, Green Travel, Ethical Fashion and lots more.
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