MISSION 06 · CHEMISTRY DISCOVERY
If you add only water, does the acid disappear—or does it spread out?
2 · Follow the Colour Clues
Your new skill: Keep transfers equal and recognise indicator limits.
Revisit the skill you will reuse: Previous main-path mission
Match the names to your parts before you build. New parts appear when you first need them. You can point, say the name or show a grown-up.
A dropper moves a small amount of liquid, one drop at a time.
Look for: Find its squeeze bulb and narrow tip.
Before using it: Squeeze before dipping, release to draw liquid, then press gently. Rinse between samples. Never mouth-pipette. Drop size can vary.
Your turn: Practise three separate drops of clean water into a tray.
A tube holds a small sample. The stand helps keep tubes upright while we compare them.
Look for: Find the narrow containers and matching holes in the stand.
Before using it: Label samples before filling. Keep them open and stable; never seal a fizzing reaction.
Your turn: Place two empty tubes in the stand and label them A and B.
This spoon measures a repeatable amount of powder so our comparisons use the same amount.
Look for: Find the kit's supplied measure and its labelled amount. A level spoon is flat across the top.
Before using it: Use the approved kit measure, not a random kitchen spoon. Powder amount and spoon size must match the kit batch instructions.
Your turn: Show the difference between level and heaped using an empty spoon and a drawing.
A mixing stick moves liquid and powder together so we can compare how mixing affects a result.
Look for: Find the clean stirrer named in the materials.
Before using it: Use a clean stick for each sample, or rinse and dry between samples. Never taste it.
Your turn: Rehearse a gentle stir in an empty container without splashing.
Citric acid is our labelled acidic material. Dissolved in water it can change an indicator's colour and react with baking soda.
Look for: Find the sealed container with its correct label. Similar-looking powders are not interchangeable.
Before using it: Use only the stated amount, goggles and adult supervision. Experiment materials are not food. Keep away from eyes and mouth.
Your turn: Read the label with a grown-up before opening it.
These papers give colour clues about acidity. Litmus tells us acid or base clues; pH paper is compared with its matching colour chart.
Look for: Find red or blue litmus, or pH strips with their supplied chart. They are not interchangeable.
Before using it: Use a fresh piece for each sample and read at the stated time. A colour estimate is not an exact laboratory pH or a food safety test.
Your turn: Match an unused strip to its packet and chart.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Before we build, match these names to the parts in front of you. Dropper. A dropper moves a small amount of liquid, one drop at a time. Find its squeeze bulb and narrow tip. Squeeze before dipping, release to draw liquid, then press gently. Rinse between samples. Never mouth-pipette. Drop size can vary. Test tube and stand. A tube holds a small sample. The stand helps keep tubes upright while we compare them. Find the narrow containers and matching holes in the stand. Label samples before filling. Keep them open and stable; never seal a fizzing reaction. Calibrated kit measuring spoon. This spoon measures a repeatable amount of powder so our comparisons use the same amount. Find the kit's supplied measure and its labelled amount. A level spoon is flat across the top. Use the approved kit measure, not a random kitchen spoon. Powder amount and spoon size must match the kit batch instructions. Mixing stick. A mixing stick moves liquid and powder together so we can compare how mixing affects a result. Find the clean stirrer named in the materials. Use a clean stick for each sample, or rinse and dry between samples. Never taste it. Citric acid. Citric acid is our labelled acidic material. Dissolved in water it can change an indicator's colour and react with baking soda. Find the sealed container with its correct label. Similar-looking powders are not interchangeable. Use only the stated amount, goggles and adult supervision. Experiment materials are not food. Keep away from eyes and mouth. Litmus and pH paper. These papers give colour clues about acidity. Litmus tells us acid or base clues; pH paper is compared with its matching colour chart. Find red or blue litmus, or pH strips with their supplied chart. They are not interchangeable. Use a fresh piece for each sample and read at the stated time. A colour estimate is not an exact laboratory pH or a food safety test. Pause and point to the part that will do the main job in this mission. If it is missing or looks different, ask a grown-up before building.
WHAT YOU'LL USE
Kit list: match the named parts to your box and its component cards. Home list: gather these before starting; some may also be supplied in your kit. Reuse components between missions. Stop and ask a grown-up if an essential part or label is missing.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Wear goggles. Do not taste diluted solutions. Use fresh pH paper for every tube.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Which tube will give a colour closest to plain water: A, B or C?
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
Keep transfers equal and recognise indicator limits.
You have just practised read a coarse chart and compare sample colours. Now: keep transfers equal and recognise indicator limits.
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 8
Label three tubes A, B and C before adding anything.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Label three tubes A, B and C before adding anything.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
Adding water lowers the concentration of this acid solution. Its pH may shift toward the middle of the chart, but a coarse indicator may show the same colour after one dilution. That unchanged colour is useful evidence about the limits of the test.
Dilution is used when preparing laboratory solutions, cleaning products and medicines. Accurate ratios matter.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Make a fourth tube by repeating the same 1:1 dilution. Keep every transfer volume equal.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
WHAT YOU SEE LIKELY REASON TRY THIS FIRST All tubes look the same The transfers may be inaccurate or the starting solution too weak. Recheck volumes and prepare Tube A exactly. Tube order is confusing Labels were not added first. Start over and label empty tubes before mixing. Results move in the wrong direction The dropper may have carried concentrated solution backward. Use a clean tool for each transfer or rinse thoroughly.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Pour the diluted solutions down the sink with plenty of water. Discard strips. Rinse and dry all tubes and tools.
NEXT SKILL
Add controlled drops and follow a changing colour range.