Make an Indicator Using Hibiscus Petals
Have you ever wondered how to make a cheap and sensitive indicator for bases and acids with items found in a household? If yes, this is the solution.
Steps
- Cut approximately 10 mature hibiscus flowers.
- Remove the stigma, and detach the leaves, so as to have only the red petals remaining.
- Put them in a container, and pour approximately 6ml of ethanol or surgical spirit; the latter works best.
- Crush the petals using an appropriate implement, such as a mortar and pestle. Crush until all of the liquid has been extracted from the petals.
- Filter the solution, and you have the reddish indicator ready.
- View results in sunlight if possible. Check for these results:
- Acid--> towards highlighter red,
- Base--> towards dark green (almost black).
Tips
- Use a deep container to crush the petals, so you won't have any losses. A large mortar and pestle is ideal.
Warnings
- Don't use too much surgical spirit / ethanol, because it will dilute the solution, and the results would be less clear.
Things You'll Need
- Hibiscus flowers
- Surgical spirit or ethanol (6ml/10 flowers)
- Beaker or container in which to crush the petals
- Something to crush the petals with, such as a mortar and pestle
