We always love a visit from our favorite scientist and today was no exception!
Thank you for sharing Mystery Ink with us Mr. G.
Thank you for sharing Mystery Ink with us Mr. G.
Problem: What happens to golden-rod paper when you draw on it with baking soda and water?
Materials: Q-tip, water, baking soda, vinegar, cup, golden-rod paper, stir stick, teaspoon
Procedure: Get a piece of golden-rod paper and place it on a dry desk. Fill a small cup half way with water. Dip in a Q-tip and then touch it to a corner of the golden-rod paper. Now add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water and stir. Dip the Q-tip into this mixture and then write the first letter of your name on the golden-rod paper with the Q-tip. What happens?
If you have more time...get another small cup. Fill it half way with water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar and stir. Dip the Q-tip and trace over your letter with it. What happens?
If you have more time...get another small cup. Fill it half way with water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar and stir. Dip the Q-tip and trace over your letter with it. What happens?
Hypotheses:
A. The letter you wrote will glow in the dark. (5)
B. The letter will change color to a bright orange. (2)
C. The mixture will make a crackling noise on the paper. (3)
D. The mixture will burn a hole in the paper in the shape of the letter you wrote. (7)
A. The letter you wrote will glow in the dark. (5)
B. The letter will change color to a bright orange. (2)
C. The mixture will make a crackling noise on the paper. (3)
D. The mixture will burn a hole in the paper in the shape of the letter you wrote. (7)
Conclusion: The letter will change color to a bright orange.
Vinegar and baking soda are opposite chemicals. Vinegar is an acidic chemical. Baking soda is a basic chemical. Golden-rod paper is an acid-base indicator. The paper reacts to the base baking soda and turns a bright orange. When you mix baking soda and vinegar they cancel each other out; they become neutral like water. When we traced over the letter with the vinegar the base becomes neutralized and the the writing is erased by the vinegar! So cool!
Vinegar and baking soda are opposite chemicals. Vinegar is an acidic chemical. Baking soda is a basic chemical. Golden-rod paper is an acid-base indicator. The paper reacts to the base baking soda and turns a bright orange. When you mix baking soda and vinegar they cancel each other out; they become neutral like water. When we traced over the letter with the vinegar the base becomes neutralized and the the writing is erased by the vinegar! So cool!
