Three liquids are given to you. One is vinegar, another is a baking soda solution, and the third is a sugar solution. Can you identify them only using turmeric paper? Explain.
Using only turmeric paper, partial identification is possible.
When drops of each liquid are placed on turmeric paper: Vinegar (acidic) will not change the yellow colour of turmeric paper. Baking soda solution (basic) will turn the turmeric paper red. Sugar solution (neutral) will not change the yellow colour of turmeric paper.
Therefore, the baking soda solution can be clearly identified as it turns turmeric paper red.
However, vinegar and sugar solution cannot be distinguished from each other using only turmeric paper, as both leave the turmeric paper unchanged.
Turmeric paper turns red only in basic solutions and remains yellow in both acidic and neutral solutions.
To identify all three liquids completely, additional indicators like litmus paper or red rose extract would be needed.
Explanation
The chapter explains in Activity 2.5 that turmeric paper can be used to test basic substances, but it cannot differentiate between acidic and neutral substances. Turmeric paper turns red in basic solutions but shows no colour change in acidic or neutral solutions. Vinegar is acidic, baking soda solution is basic, and sugar solution is neutral. Only the basic solution (baking soda) produces a visible colour change on turmeric paper.
Solution Steps
Place drops of each liquid on turmeric paper to observe colour changes.
Baking soda solution (basic) turns turmeric paper red, so it can be identified.
Vinegar (acidic) and sugar solution (neutral) both leave turmeric paper yellow.
Turmeric paper cannot differentiate between acidic and neutral solutions.
Only the basic solution produces a visible colour change on turmeric paper.