Fun Facts!
Did You Know?
Wasp and Bee Stings: When a bee stings you, they inject acid into your body. Therefore, pouring a basic substance on it, such as milk, would help neutralize it and reduce the pain. When a wasp stings you, they inject alkali into your body. Therefore, pouring an acidic substance on it, such as lemon juice, would help neutralize it and reduce the pain.
Soda Fizz: When you open a can of soda an you hear the fizz, it's because of carbonic acid. Carbonic acid decomposes to form bubbles of carbon dioxide.
Apples, Grapes, Flowers and Leaves: A group of chemicals called anthocyanins are often found in plants such as apples, grapes, flowers and leaves. The color of anythocyanins change color depending upon their acid levels (pH) in the plant. The bright red and pink colors of autumn are due to high levels of pH in the plants.
Soda Fizz: When you open a can of soda an you hear the fizz, it's because of carbonic acid. Carbonic acid decomposes to form bubbles of carbon dioxide.
Apples, Grapes, Flowers and Leaves: A group of chemicals called anthocyanins are often found in plants such as apples, grapes, flowers and leaves. The color of anythocyanins change color depending upon their acid levels (pH) in the plant. The bright red and pink colors of autumn are due to high levels of pH in the plants.
Acid Rain: Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning it possesses a high level of H+ ions. It can have harmful affects on the environment. The gases often found in acid rain are carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
Lemon Juice Invisible Ink (Acid): You can use lemon juice as invisible ink! Write a message on a blank piece of paper with lemon juice. Since it is a relatively clear liquid, once it dries out, you can't see the message. However, once you heat up the paper (put it to a lightbulb), you can see the message! Since lemon juice is a mild acid, it weakens the paper upon contact. Therefore, when you heat up the paper, the part where the lemon juice weakened the paper will burn first, making your message visible.
Baking Soda Invisible Ink (Base): You can also use baking soda to make invisible ink. Mix baking soda with water and write a message on a piece of paper. It will dry invisible. Then, take a sponge soaked with grape juice and wipe the paper. Your message will show up! This is because you have created an acid base reaction, forming a new compound with a different color, causing your message to show up.
Lemon Juice Invisible Ink (Acid): You can use lemon juice as invisible ink! Write a message on a blank piece of paper with lemon juice. Since it is a relatively clear liquid, once it dries out, you can't see the message. However, once you heat up the paper (put it to a lightbulb), you can see the message! Since lemon juice is a mild acid, it weakens the paper upon contact. Therefore, when you heat up the paper, the part where the lemon juice weakened the paper will burn first, making your message visible.
Baking Soda Invisible Ink (Base): You can also use baking soda to make invisible ink. Mix baking soda with water and write a message on a piece of paper. It will dry invisible. Then, take a sponge soaked with grape juice and wipe the paper. Your message will show up! This is because you have created an acid base reaction, forming a new compound with a different color, causing your message to show up.
Why Onions Make You Cry: Inside the onion cells, there are chemical compounds that contain sulfur. When you cut open an onion, these cells break and are released into the air. These sulfur compounds react with the moisture in your eyes to create sulfuric acid, which causes the burning sensation in your eyes.
Why Cake Rises: Baking powder is comprised of acetic acid and baking soda. When water is added, the acid and bicarbonate from the baking soda react to create a salt and carbonic acid. This carbonic acid decomposes to water and carbon dioxide gas, causing the cake to rise.