Name______________________________________________________________________ Date ___________________Period __________
Properties of Acids and Bases Lab
Introduction:
Some substances can be classified as either an Acid or a Base. There are tests you can do to determine if
something is Acidic or Basic. In this lab you will be examining a known acid and a known base to
determine how it interacts with certain tests, as well as what the properties of acids and bases might be.
Safety:
 Do not breathe directly any solutions in chemistry! Nothing is to be smelled in this lab.
 Use forceps and spatulas for dispensing solids. Not your fingers.
 Wash hands when you are finished.
Part One: Testing for Acidity or Basicity
Procedure:
1. Place a micro-plate on top of a piece of white paper and label one column ACID and the other
BASE. Then label each row according to the test you will be performing:
Red litmus, Blue Litmus, Neutral Litmus, Phenolphthalein, Reaction with a metal, and reaction
with Carbonate (CO32+)
2. Squirt enough ACID into each of the wells in the ACID column to fill the bottom of the well. Do the
same with the BASE for the BASE column.
3. Test reaction to the papers: red litmus, blue litmus & neutral litmus by adding only ONE SMALL
PIECE OF EACH TEST STRIP PER WELL ON THE MICROPLATE!!!
4. Test reaction to phenolphthalein by adding 1-2 drops to the acid and base wells and observe how
they change color.
5. Test reaction to metal by adding 1-2 pieces of metal to the acid and base wells and observe any
reaction.
6. Test reaction to carbonate by adding 3-4 drops of the carbonate solution to the acid and base wells
and observe any reaction.
Summary table:
Test
Litmus
Phenolphthalein
Metal
CO32+
More on back…
Acids…
Bases…
Part Two: Physical Properties of Acids and Bases:
Acids and Bases can also be categorized by their taste and feel. We will not be tasting or feeling any of
the chemicals in today’s lab, but you have probably already tasted and felt many acids and bases in your
lifetime.
 Common Acids: Lemon juice, vinegar, lime juice. They are likely to taste __________________.
 Common Bases: pure dark chocolate (no sugar added), leafy green vegetables (like spinach or
broccoli) or coffee (without sugar). They are likely to taste ___________________.
 A base, when rubbed between your fingers, feels like soapy water. Bases feel ___________________.
 An acid, when rubbed between your fingers feels “grippy”, like rubbing lemon juice on your
fingers. Acids feel ____________________.
Part Three: Testing the unknowns
You will be given two unknown substances. You will need to test them with the above tests to determine
whether or not they are acidic or basic.

You must use AT LEAST 3 tests from above. You can choose any three tests.

Provide a data table in the space below for your results.
Post Lab Questions:
1. What color does all litmus paper turn in acids?
Bases?
2. Which reacts with metal, Acids or Bases?
How do you know?
3. Which reacts with phenolphthalein, Acids or Bases?
How do you know? What color does it turn?
4. Which will react with Carbonate, Acids or Bases?
How do you know?