This is the second installment of Grocery Store Science, a set of labs that uses items easily obtained at the grocery store.

Not all of us have big budgets and fancy equipment, so we need some educational labs that can be done inexpensively!

This lab uses cabbage juice as an acid-base indicator to test the pH of common household items such as lemons, vinegar, apples, antacids, baking soda, lemon soda, window cleaner, soap, and any other items you care to test.

Part 1 of the lab tests the pH of substances.

Part 2 tests 'Mystery Solutions' that are clear solutions made by the teacher. They can be anything you like, and can be something already tested, but the difference is, the students don't know what the substance is. They do not have a preconceived notion as to what the pH will be.

Part 3 is a neutralization activity using some of the same substances.

All student directions, data charts, and review questions are included.

Also included is a set of notes for student use which reviews the properties of acids and bases, and explains the pH scale. This may be copied and passed out to the students to keep in their notebooks.

I've also written advanced preparation instructions for the teacher, and a lesson plan with a few engagement activities.

This is a fun lab for the students because of the chance to work with colorful 'chemicals' and if they bring some of the items, they feel ownership and are ready to engage.

Download the preview to get a feel for the lab. Also, you might want to download for free, my first installment of Grocery Store Science, Solubility Lab which is formatted the same way.