Select all that apply.
Which of the following are good ways to test whether a solution is an acid or a base?
tasting it
litmus paper
phenolphthalein
touching it
litmus paper
phenolphthalein
Do not taste bleach or battery acid.
To test whether a solution is an acid or a base, you should select the appropriate options from the given list.
First, let's analyze the options:
1. Tasting it: Tasting a chemical solution is not a reliable or safe method for determining whether it is an acid or a base. It can be dangerous and potentially harmful to ingest certain substances.
2. Litmus paper: Litmus paper is a simple and commonly used method to determine whether a solution is acidic or basic. Litmus paper is a pH indicator that changes color depending on the pH level of the solution. It turns red in the presence of an acid and blue in the presence of a base.
3. Phenolphthalein: Phenolphthalein is another pH indicator that is commonly used in acid-base titrations. It changes color from colorless to pink in a basic environment with a pH above 8.2. In an acidic solution, phenolphthalein remains colorless.
4. Touching it: Similar to tasting, touching a chemical solution is not a reliable method for determining whether it is an acid or a base. Some substances can be highly corrosive or toxic when in contact with the skin.
Based on this analysis, the correct options are: Litmus paper and phenolphthalein.