The pH scale measures how acidic (or how alkaline) a solution is. The pH scale runs from just below 0 to just above 14. Solutions with a pH below 7 are acidic. Solutions with a pH above 7 are alkaline. Neutral solutions have a pH of 7.

The pH of a solution can be found by using pH indicator solution or pH paper. When either of these is added to the solution it changes colour. Matching up this colour with one of those on a pH colour chart gives us the pH of the solution.

The aim of this experiment is to find the pH values of some household substances and to classify them as acidic, alkaline or neutral.

Testing the pH of Solutions – Pupil

Testing the pH of Solutions – Teacher/Technician

Testing the pH of Solutions – Risk Assessment