Culinary Chemistry
In Culinary Chemistry, SCATS campers are finding out how much you can learn about chemistry using everyday household items.
They’ve investigated physical and chemical change using ice and peppermints. After learning the characteristics of each type of change, campers got started experimenting and collecting data. They applied heat to both substances and determined that ice melting was a physical change, while the peppermint melting was chemical.
Today’s lesson was on ph of different liquids. The class thought of familiar substances and and guessed whether they were acids or bases. Heidi thought that milk must be a base because it helped with acid reflux. After the discussion, teacher, Amanda Underwood, set out window cleaner, vinegar, toothpaste, laundry detergent, lemon juice, Sprite, and bleach to test.
She carefully added red cabbage juice, a neutral, to beakers containing the test substances. As all good scientists do, the students observed the interactions. Oohs and aahs greeted color changes that seemed magical. Our budding chemists were not content with those simple experiments. They wanted to combine some of the liquids to investigate if the color changed again or if something else happened, only safe ones of course! The combination of vinegar and toothpaste made a lovely lavender (because of the cabbage juice) volcano.
Be warned, these campers are looking forward to what else they can do with substances they can find in their kitchens!