Substance Reactionofbluelitmuspaper Reactionofredlitmuspaper
H2COa turnedpaperred none
NaCI
NH40H
NaOH
HCIO
MgS0 4
HaBOa
CHaCOOC6H4COOH
C2HsOH
(CH 2 ) 16C02H
NaHCOa
Place small stripsofblue litmuspaper(a fresh one each time) over the rims
ofthe test tubes one by one. Let one end fall into theliquidin the test tube.
Record the results. Repeatthe same procedurewith red litmus paper,and
recordthe results. Now fill each test tube to the top with water to dilute the
solutions.Test thecontentsofeach tube withbothblueandred litmus paper
again,andagainrecordall the results.Results:Thecarbonicacid, thehypochlorousacid, the boric acid, and the
acetylsalicylic acidturnedthe blue litmuspaperto red, but had no effect on the
red litmus paper. Thesodiumhydroxideand theammoniumhydroxideturned
the red litmuspaperto blue, buthadno effect on the blue litmuspaper.The
sodiumchloride,magnesiumsulfate,ethanol,salad oil, andsodiumbicarbonate
hadno effect on either the red or blue litmuspaper.
Acidsturnblue litmus to red but have no effect on red. Basesturnred litmus
to blue, but have no effect on blue. You can seethatit is often necessary to use
bothto get a conclusive result. Thesubstancesthathave no effect on either type
oflitmuspaperare neutral.Thatmeans they haveneitherHatomsnor OH