ScienceAges 13-15

Acids, bases & the pH scale

Use the 0–14 pH scale, indicators and neutralisation reactions to classify acidic, neutral and alkaline solutions. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Acids, bases & the pH scale

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What colour does blue litmus paper turn when dipped into an acidic solution: red or blue?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
2. Which gas is produced when a metal carbonate (such as calcium carbonate) reacts with an acid: carbon dioxide or nitrogen?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
3. What weak organic acid is found naturally in lemons, limes and oranges: citric acid or sulfuric acid?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
4. On the standard pH scale (0 to 14) at 25 °C, what is the pH of a neutral solution such as pure water: 7 or 0?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
5. What is the chemical test that confirms a gas is oxygen (O₂): it relights a glowing wooden splint, or it turns limewater milky?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
6. What colour does Universal Indicator turn in a neutral solution of pH 7: green or red?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
7. Which type of salt is always produced by reactions of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄): a sulfate or a nitrate?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
8. Which gas is produced when a reactive metal (such as magnesium or zinc) reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid: hydrogen or oxygen?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
9. Why do indigestion tablets (antacids) contain mild bases such as magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate: to neutralise excess stomach acid, or to add more acid?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
10. In an acid–base titration, which piece of graduated glassware with a tap at the bottom is used to measure the exact volume of acid or alkali added: a burette or a beaker?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
11. What weak organic acid gives vinegar its sour taste: ethanoic (acetic) acid or nitric acid?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
12. Which solution is more strongly acidic: Solution A with pH 1, or Solution B with pH 5?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Acids, bases & the pH scale

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What colour does blue litmus paper turn when dipped into an acidic solution: red or blue?
Red
Acids turn blue litmus paper red.
2. Which gas is produced when a metal carbonate (such as calcium carbonate) reacts with an acid: carbon dioxide or nitrogen?
Carbon dioxide
Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide (which turns limewater milky).
3. What weak organic acid is found naturally in lemons, limes and oranges: citric acid or sulfuric acid?
Citric acid
Citrus fruits contain citric acid.
4. On the standard pH scale (0 to 14) at 25 °C, what is the pH of a neutral solution such as pure water: 7 or 0?
7
A pH of 7 is neutral, with equal concentrations of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions.
5. What is the chemical test that confirms a gas is oxygen (O₂): it relights a glowing wooden splint, or it turns limewater milky?
It relights a glowing wooden splint
Pure oxygen supports rapid combustion and relights a glowing splint.
6. What colour does Universal Indicator turn in a neutral solution of pH 7: green or red?
Green
Universal Indicator is green at neutral pH 7, red in strong acid, and purple in strong alkali.
7. Which type of salt is always produced by reactions of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄): a sulfate or a nitrate?
Sulfate
Sulfuric acid forms sulfate salts; nitric acid forms nitrates; hydrochloric acid forms chlorides.
8. Which gas is produced when a reactive metal (such as magnesium or zinc) reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid: hydrogen or oxygen?
Hydrogen
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen gas (which gives a squeaky pop with a lighted splint).
9. Why do indigestion tablets (antacids) contain mild bases such as magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate: to neutralise excess stomach acid, or to add more acid?
To neutralise excess stomach acid
Antacids are weak bases that neutralise excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
10. In an acid–base titration, which piece of graduated glassware with a tap at the bottom is used to measure the exact volume of acid or alkali added: a burette or a beaker?
Burette
A burette delivers variable volumes accurately to within 0.05 cm³.
11. What weak organic acid gives vinegar its sour taste: ethanoic (acetic) acid or nitric acid?
Ethanoic (acetic) acid
Vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of ethanoic (acetic) acid.
12. Which solution is more strongly acidic: Solution A with pH 1, or Solution B with pH 5?
Solution A with pH 1
Lower numbers on the pH scale indicate higher hydrogen-ion concentration and stronger acidity.

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Acids, bases & the pH scale

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What colour does blue litmus paper turn when dipped into an acidic solution: red or blue?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
2. Which gas is produced when a metal carbonate (such as calcium carbonate) reacts with an acid: carbon dioxide or nitrogen?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
3. What weak organic acid is found naturally in lemons, limes and oranges: citric acid or sulfuric acid?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
4. On the standard pH scale (0 to 14) at 25 °C, what is the pH of a neutral solution such as pure water: 7 or 0?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
5. What is the chemical test that confirms a gas is oxygen (O₂): it relights a glowing wooden splint, or it turns limewater milky?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
6. What colour does Universal Indicator turn in a neutral solution of pH 7: green or red?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
7. Which type of salt is always produced by reactions of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄): a sulfate or a nitrate?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
8. Which gas is produced when a reactive metal (such as magnesium or zinc) reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid: hydrogen or oxygen?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
9. Why do indigestion tablets (antacids) contain mild bases such as magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate: to neutralise excess stomach acid, or to add more acid?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
10. In an acid–base titration, which piece of graduated glassware with a tap at the bottom is used to measure the exact volume of acid or alkali added: a burette or a beaker?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
11. What weak organic acid gives vinegar its sour taste: ethanoic (acetic) acid or nitric acid?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution
12. Which solution is more strongly acidic: Solution A with pH 1, or Solution B with pH 5?
pH Scale: 0 (Acid) → 7 → 14 (Alkali) · Indicator Solution

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Acids, bases & the pH scale

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What colour does blue litmus paper turn when dipped into an acidic solution: red or blue?
Red
Acids turn blue litmus paper red.
2. Which gas is produced when a metal carbonate (such as calcium carbonate) reacts with an acid: carbon dioxide or nitrogen?
Carbon dioxide
Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide (which turns limewater milky).
3. What weak organic acid is found naturally in lemons, limes and oranges: citric acid or sulfuric acid?
Citric acid
Citrus fruits contain citric acid.
4. On the standard pH scale (0 to 14) at 25 °C, what is the pH of a neutral solution such as pure water: 7 or 0?
7
A pH of 7 is neutral, with equal concentrations of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions.
5. What is the chemical test that confirms a gas is oxygen (O₂): it relights a glowing wooden splint, or it turns limewater milky?
It relights a glowing wooden splint
Pure oxygen supports rapid combustion and relights a glowing splint.
6. What colour does Universal Indicator turn in a neutral solution of pH 7: green or red?
Green
Universal Indicator is green at neutral pH 7, red in strong acid, and purple in strong alkali.
7. Which type of salt is always produced by reactions of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄): a sulfate or a nitrate?
Sulfate
Sulfuric acid forms sulfate salts; nitric acid forms nitrates; hydrochloric acid forms chlorides.
8. Which gas is produced when a reactive metal (such as magnesium or zinc) reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid: hydrogen or oxygen?
Hydrogen
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen gas (which gives a squeaky pop with a lighted splint).
9. Why do indigestion tablets (antacids) contain mild bases such as magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate: to neutralise excess stomach acid, or to add more acid?
To neutralise excess stomach acid
Antacids are weak bases that neutralise excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
10. In an acid–base titration, which piece of graduated glassware with a tap at the bottom is used to measure the exact volume of acid or alkali added: a burette or a beaker?
Burette
A burette delivers variable volumes accurately to within 0.05 cm³.
11. What weak organic acid gives vinegar its sour taste: ethanoic (acetic) acid or nitric acid?
Ethanoic (acetic) acid
Vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of ethanoic (acetic) acid.
12. Which solution is more strongly acidic: Solution A with pH 1, or Solution B with pH 5?
Solution A with pH 1
Lower numbers on the pH scale indicate higher hydrogen-ion concentration and stronger acidity.

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification