Practical: red cabbage indicator solution
I can make red cabbage indicator solution and use it to test solutions to find out if they are acid or alkali.
Practical: red cabbage indicator solution
I can make red cabbage indicator solution and use it to test solutions to find out if they are acid or alkali.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Red cabbage solution is pink or red in an acid, purple in a neutral solution, and green in an alkali.
- Different chemical indicators have their advantages and disadvantages.
- Universal indicator will turn many different colours depending on pH.
Keywords
Universal indicator solution - a solution or paper that will turn different colours depending on pH of the solution.
PH scale - is a scale from 1 to 14 used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of solutions. pH7 is for neutral solutions.
Pestle and mortar - are tools used to crush and grind substances. The pestle is a grinding club and the mortar a heavy bowl.
Chemical indicator - is a chemical that will change colour to indicate the presence of a substance, for example if a solution is an acid or alkali.
Solution - formed when a substance dissolves into a liquid.
Common misconception
Pupils often think that the red cabbage will change to the same colours as universal indicator solution.
Remind pupils that there are many different indicators used to show different pH.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Practical: red cabbage indicator solution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Practical: red cabbage indicator solution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Acids and bases unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Red cabbage, kettle, pestle and mortar, beaker, pipette, filter paper, funnel, conical flask, stirring rod, spotting tile, universal indicator, red and blue litmus, solutions with varying pH's.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a solution with a pH of 7
a solution with a pH of 3
a solution with a pH of 14
Exit quiz
6 Questions
acidic solution
alkaline solution
neutral solution
red litmus
blue litmus
universal indicator
red cabbage indicator