9-23-08 - The Acid Test

Today we did another lab dealing with Food and Nutrition. This lab investigated the acidity of foods. There were many steps to this lab. First, we tested what would happen when we mixed vinegar and baking soda in a cup. Then, we tested this same reaction in a bottle. When doing the experiment in a bottle we could witness the gas (carbon dioxide) the reaction was producing. Other variations to this test were mixing water and baking soda as well as testing a 50-50 water and vinegar mixture’s reaction with baking soda. Then the experiment took a different turn. We started to test what fruit juice and fruit pieces would do when mixed with baking soda. The fruit used included oranges, limes, pink grapefruit, and white grape fruit. Our group found the lime juice to be the most acidic. We ran out of time to test the fruit pieces.

From doing this lab, I learned some things about doing labs in a classroom. First of all, I learned that prepared lab directions are not always very clear. Our group was especially confused with the directions on testing the fruit pieces. Thus is might be necessary as the teacher to prepare clear directions for labs yourself. Another lesson learned in class that I would like to remember is to always double the time you think it will take to prepare for a lab, because it can take longer than you expect it to.