Identify Poison Through PH Level Mobley!1 Identify Poison Through PH Level Ronan Mobley Da Vinci Communications High School Chemistry 10 Laura Chase September 29, 2016
Identify Poison Through PH Level Mobley!2 Abstract The purpose of our lab was to identify which of two unknown solutions held poison. By testing the levels of ph in all three solutions, it was presumed that the poison would be identified by finding a higher ph level, high enough to disturb the normal ph level of the solution it was in. The basis of this experiment was that the poison would likely have a higher ph level than the clean solution and that of two unknown solutions. We tested the hypothesis by testing all three solutions three times. The documented ph level of each solution was based on the average of the three tests. The results showed that all three solutions had the same color or ph level. Based on our results, we concluded that the first test comparing ph levels did not identify the solution that the poison was hidden in. My group concluded that the reason our test did not identify the solution in which the poison resided in was because the poison that was added did hold a high enough acidic or alkaline value to change the normal ph of the solution. Although our experiment did not identify the poisoned solution we can now gear our next experiment to test for poisons that hold lower acidic values. Identify Poison Through PH Level PH is an abbreviation that stands for potential of hydrogen. ( What Is PH? n.d.) There are two main ways to measure a liquid's ph. Colorimetric means to measure color. With that method, chemicals are added to a substance and those chemicals react to produce a certain color. Various colors indicates the ph of the water and can be measured visually or electronically. Colors range from a dark red (acid) to a dark blue (alkaline.) The second and more modern
Identify Poison Through PH Level Mobley!3 option is a ph meter and probe. For our test, we used ph strips which are a more portable version of method one with the chemicals being on the strip itself. ph is measured on a scale on a scale of 0-14. Battery acid would have a ph of 0, be dark red and located to the far left whereas drain cleaner would hold a ph of 14, be a dark blue and located to the far right. Water is a neutral light green and lies at 7. ("Pick the Right PH Test Strips for the Best Results. n.d.) The lab's purpose was to find which of our two solutions was poisoned by comparing their ph levels of each unknown test to that of a controlled solution s ph. If the poison contains a ph level high enough to disturb the normal ph of the solution it populates, then the ph strips will identify the difference and tell us which solution is safe to drink. Methods To conduct this experiment, we used 9 ph strips, three 100 ml glass beakers, three paper towels, a permanent marker, and the three solutions (one clean and the other two unknown). Eye protection is optional. We poured 100 ml of each solution into one glass beaker each. We now had three beakers, one filled with controlled solution, one with unknown A and one with unknown B. Next, we separated out three sets of three PH strips, one set for each of the three solutions, nine in total. We conducted three ph trials on each of the three beakers, nine in total by placing each of the three strips, one at a time, into the liquid for 5 seconds each, remove it and place it on a paper towel labeled with the name of the substance it was just in. We repeated the process until all solutions had been tested three times. Then we compared the strips to the ph scale to find the ph reading. We averaged the 3 results for each solution, then we recorded our findings on a graph.
Identify Poison Through PH Level Mobley!4 Data Findings and Observations We conducted three trials for each solution, nine in total. These tests gave us the average ph levels of each one of the solutions. The reason we conducted three test for each is to make sure the data was not based on only one test which may be erroneous. By testing the solution three times and using an average, the likelihood of an accurate ph reading was more likely. After conducting the three trails on each solution, we began to notice that each ph strip for all nine test was almost exactly the same. These results shoed that the test did not identify which of the unknowns solutions contained the poison. Controlled Solution Unknown A Uknown B
Identify Poison Through PH Level Mobley!5 The graph shows the data from the three tests. On the bottom we can observe the three different solutions and on the right is the level of PH for each one of the solutions. As you can see, each one of the solutions yielded the same level of PH which meant that the test we conducted did not identify which of our two unknown samples had the poison. Other experiments conducted to identify unknown substances have used arsenic tests, solubility tests and heavy metal tests. These tests can be used to identify toxic chemicals by comparing hazardous levels to non hazardous levels of toxicity. In this research, I learned that any substance with a ph higher than or equal to 12.5 or lower than or equal to 2.0 is considered to be toxic. Data & Analysis The analysis of the data from this experiment proved my hypothesis to be incorrect. My hypothesis was that the ph test of each solution would identify which of the two unknown solutions carried the poison by showing a different ph level in the poisoned solution. The data showed no difference in any of the ph levels. Expected and possible source of error may have been that the ph strips were outdated or that the poison got mixed in with the other solutions because of unclean lab equipment. To improve the integrity of this experiment, the experimenters could make sure all lab equipment is clean, the experimenters hands are clean, and the solutions are kept separate at all times. Another error to consider may be the effects of the poison on the solution may not cause any difference in the ph level of the solutions therefore using ph as an indicator of poison in a solution may not be appropriate. Since all solutions had a ph reading of 3, this means that the test we performed did not identify which solution held the poison. The reason for this is that the poisons acid or alkaline
Identify Poison Through PH Level Mobley!6 levels were not high enough to manipulate the ph balance of the solution that it was in. Although we did not identify which unknown held the solution we can now gear our next experiment towards poisons that have more stable levels of ph. The analysis of clean versus poison solutions is important to consider as experimenters look for ways to identity poison. Having easy, inexpensive, and convenient ways to identify toxic chemicals is essential to health and well being. Consider the analysis of drinking water in remote areas, food substances in manufacturing settings, and even testing candy after Halloween trick or treating at home. Work Citations "Estuarine Science." Physical Properties: Water Chemistry: PH, from Discovery of Estuarine Environments (DOEE). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2016. (indigo.com), Indigo Instruments. "Pick the Right PH Test Strips for the Best Results." Using PH Test Strips. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. /.latest_citation_text "What Is PH?" General Chemistry Online: FAQ: Acids and Bases:. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2016. /.latest_citation_text
Identify Poison Through PH Level Mobley!7 https://www.indigo.com/using-ph-test-strips.php#.v_0elkozoqq http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_topics/publications/shw/hazardous/sc/ UnknownChembook_updated2onwebsite.pdf