Alkaline Solution

[securespark]

I'm doing another science assignment.

In the same way that lemon juice is a relatively safe acid for children to work with, what can I use that is quite strongly alkaline, but safe to handle without gloves?

They'll be testing pH values and I want something at the ends of the scale.

 

[jeds]

If I remember correctly I think, surprisingly, orange juice is alkaline. If not mineral water is. Most veggies are alkaline so veggie water (after the Sunday roast) should be quite alkaline.

 

[joe-90]

How about bicarbonate of soda? Fizzes with lemon juice.

 

[ellal]

strong alkali
14 drain cleaner
13 bleach
12 soapy water
11 ammonia
10 milk of magnesia
9 baking powder
8 sea water
neutral
7 pure water
6 saliva
5 black coffee
4 acid rain
3 vinegar
2 lemon juice
1 stomach acid
0 battery acid
strong acid

(pinched from school homework...)

 

[securespark]

Thanks guys!

jeds: just tested an orange - it came out pH 4 with universal litmus paper.

Mineral water is slightly alkali, but not enough for my purposes.

joe & ellal: I did think of bicarb but discounted it because I thought it would be too close to water: it's two away.

I wonder if I make a saturated solution...

What about neat washing up liquid...do you think that might work?

Ideally, bleach would be great, but need to steer clear!

Kid + bleach + parent + law suit = ££££'s......

 

[jeds]

Wonder where I got orange juice from then? Good job it wasn't the million quid question on who wantsabe a millionaire.

 

[RigidRaider]

Water with lots of soap or detergent or milk of magnesia or Rennies or Gaviscon dissolved in it would do.

 

[Stivino]

Milton's solution for cleaning babies bottles. pH 10.5 to 11.2

 

[securespark]

Was gonna use Milton then used Bicarb after getting a nice 10 from universal litmus paper.

When I tested it and asked the kids to tell me what ph it was, they said
















































7.