Vinegar is an acidic
solution which makes universal indicator solution (U.I.) red. Lime water
colours U.I. blue. Such solutions are called alkaline.
* Photo left of the arrow:
3 drops of lime water
with one of U.I. are combined on a white plastic surface.
1 micro
drop of vinegar is also transferred by an Insulin
syringe.
* Photo right of the
arrow: The same samples are mixed in one big drop by an insulated copper
wire.
Observation:
The
lilac colour of the indicator shows the alkaline reaction of lime water,
the yellow colour of the indicator shows the neutral ( = not acidic, not
alkaline) reaction of the mixture.
Explanation:
The alkaline reaction of 3 drops of lime water was cancelled by the acidic
action of 1 micro drop of vinegar. Such a chemical reaction is called a
neutralisation.
( Lime water must be a very weak alkaline solution
because 1 micro drop (5 µl) of vinegar was sufficient
for the neutralisation of 3 drops (100µl) of lime water.)