Purpose:
The Objective of this lab was to learn how to measure the pH (or acidity) of commonly known fluids, using the correct tools and procedures. To then use that data to document the changes noticed when mixing those same fluids and changing their respective pH levels. Materials:
In order to conduct this experiment several pieces of equipment and other materials were needed. The first item was a graduated cylinder, which was used in order to measure out the precise amount of fluids needed in the experiment. A 100mL glass beaker was used to house the measured fluids for pH testing as well as for mixing (requiring a stir). An already calibrated pH meter was used to test the levels of pH in each solution. A hammer, paper towel and Rolaid tablet were also provided and used to crush up the antacid tablet. In addition to these few pieces of equipment, specifically measured amounts of the following fluids/substances were used: tap water, distilled water, soda, milk, lemon juice, and dissolved Rolaid solution (mix of an antacid tablet and 50mL of distilled water). Method:
The subsequent steps were used to preform the pH measuring experiment: My group, comprised of six students, gathered the required equipment from our lab TA – one graduated cylinder, four beakers, hammer, paper towel, Rolaid tablet, a stir and a pH meter. Each of the four beakers and the graduated cylinder were rinsed using tap water before any liquids were poured into them. One group member filled the graduated cylinder with 50mL of tap water and then transferred the liquid into a beaker. This process was repeated for soda, distilled water and milk. The pH meter was turned on, placed in each beaker and remained until the numbers on the tools screen stopped flocculating. Each reading was then documented on the provided data sheets. The beaker containing the tap water was emptied. Using a clean graduate cylinder 10mL of lemon juice and 40mL of water