Determine the behavior of the Universal Indicator (UI)

Later in the experiment, you'll run several acid base reactions. The only way to track their progress is using an indicator. As discussed in the introduction, indicators change color depending on the acidity or basicity of the solution. What you have to do now is determine how Universal Indicator behaves. You'll determine this by tracking its behavior in known acids and bases. Then you can test all your reagents to see which are acidic, basic, and neutral.

Place a drop of each of your known acids on your reaction chart. Add a drop of UI to each one and record your observations on the observations chart.

Do the same with any compounds you know are bases.

 

Potassium iodide (KI) will be neutral. Add universal indicator to a drop of this as well to see how it behaves in neutral solution.

 

Now that you know the behavior of UI, use it to test the remaining solutions and record your observations. Keep track of whether each solution is acidic, basic, or neutral.