Answer :
The investigation aims to observe the ability of water as a solvent by testing two different water mixtures with phenolphthalein.
The objective of this experiment is to investigate water as a solvent and its ability to dissolve various solutes. Water is known as the universal solvent because it can dissolve a wide range of substances, making it essential for chemical reactions in both plants and animals. In this investigation, two different water mixtures will be tested with phenolphthalein, an indicator that turns pink in the presence of an alkaline substance with a pH of 8.2 to 10.0.
The procedure begins by preparing two different mixtures. First, crushed classroom chalk, which contains limestone and gypsum, is mixed with distilled water. The resulting mixture is filtered using filter paper to remove any solid particles. Phenolphthalein is added to observe any alkaline substances present in the mixture.
Next, a mixture of calcium hydroxide and distilled water is prepared, and the same filtration and phenolphthalein test are conducted.
Throughout the experiment, safety precautions, such as wearing goggles, handling phenolphthalein and calcium hydroxide carefully, and washing hands thoroughly after the lab, are followed to ensure safety.
The results of the investigation will be used to understand the properties of water as a solvent and its significance in hydroponic gardening, where plants rely on water to dissolve nutrients from the soil and transport them throughout the plant for growth and survival.
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Final answer:
The student's experiment highlights water's role as a universal solvent by using phenolphthalein to test the pH of water mixtures with chalk and calcium hydroxide, showcasing implications for hydroponic gardening and the purity of water.
Explanation:
Water as a Solvent and pH Testing
Water's unique properties make it an excellent solvent for many substances, which is why it is often referred to as the 'universal solvent'. The solubility of substances in water can lead to variations in water's pH, a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-), which indicates its acidity or alkalinity. In the context of this experiment, the student is tasked to investigate water's solubility properties by observing the reaction between water mixtures and phenolphthalein, an indicator that changes color in alkaline environments. By comparing the ability of water to dissolve chalk, which primarily contains calcium carbonate, and calcium hydroxide, students can explore the chemical interactions in an aqueous environment that are crucial for hydroponic gardening. The experiment also involves testing the pH of resulting solutions by using phenolphthalein and exploring the implications of water solubility in agriculture and environmental sciences.
The steps in the experiment include dissolving substances in distilled water, filtering the solution, and adding an indicator to observe the pH changes. The observation of color changes after adding phenolphthalein to water solutions containing different solutes allows students to draw conclusions about the presence of alkaline substances and the purity of water. Furthermore, this practical application demonstrates how hydroponic gardening relies on the unique qualities of water to support plant growth.