LET'S TEST FOR pH

Materials Needed  

1. Pour a small glass of orange juice, milk, Coke or Pepsi, lemon juice, a mixture of baking soda and water, and a plain glass of tap water. 
2. Dip a piece of litmus paper (purchase from your local Arts & Crafts store) in each (do not use the same piece of litmus paper over and over). A chart that comes with the litmus paper will tell you how to interpret the color changes.

• How do each of the liquids measure? 
• Are they more acid or alkaline? 
• Touch a new litmus strip to your tongue. Is the inside of your mouth acidic or alkaline?
  

     What is pH?

pH is a term used to describe an acid or alkaline condition.

pH is measured on a scale of 0 - 14. The lower numbers represent acidic properties and the higher numbers represent base (or alkaline) properties.

Generally, high or low pH in drinking water does not affect humans (unless it's VERY high or VERY low). We eat and drink things that are both high and low in pH. pH is important in water treatment because both high and low measurements can cause corrosion in water pipes and in water heaters. COMM Water Department maintains a pH7, which is neutral.