Science with Michael: Chemistry

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Lately in science 4th graders have been studying chemistry and the reactions of different things to red cabbage juice. We are seeing if they are a base, an acid, or a neutral. We have tested many things like sodium hydroxide, nitric acid (you can tell it’s an acid by the name), and rubbing alcohol.
Michael told us that red cabbage juice is an indicator and that is why it is able to tell whether it is an acid, base, or a neutral. The way to tell if it is an acid, a base or a neutral, is if it’s pink it’s an acid, if it’s green, it’s a base, and if it’s purple it’s a neutral. Some liquids are too strong for red cabbage juice so we are starting to us a new Indicator that is called pH paper. PH paper is literally a small piece paper when if you dip it in the liquid it will turn a color and you have to match it with the colors on the canister that held the pH paper (there are 12 colors on it). 1-5 are acids, 6-7 are neutrals, and 8-12 are bases. It’s really cool how a piece of paper can do this.

by Andrei and Max

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About Mark Silberberg

Mark is thrilled to be a member of LREI's vibrant learning community and is inspired each day by students and colleagues alike. Mark began his formal adult life in schools as a teacher of physics, chemistry, English and an experiential business simulation class in the public schools where he also worked as a school administrator and technology coordinator. For the ten years prior to coming to LREI, Mark was a co-founder and co-director of a progressive K-12 public charter school. When not immersed in things LREI, Mark enjoys spending time with his family and completing sundry home repair projects. He is an avid soccer player and skier and wishes he had more time to play the guitar and bass.

3 thoughts on “Science with Michael: Chemistry

  1. I like how you described everything, like if you said indicated you explained it, and you explained why red cabbage juice is an indicator. I think your post was small but it was better like that, because you described everything + more. And sometimes it’s nice for something not to be so long but short and sweet.

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