How to Make a pH Indicator at Home

As summer vacation nears, parents wonder how to keep kids busy at home. The best way to keep children busy during vacations at home is by allowing them to conduct kid-friendly experiments that not only allow them to pass time, but also teach them new things. Science for kids is an enjoyable and great learning experience. Science can be well-learned not just by reading textbooks but by experimental method. pH Indicator can be made at home with material easily available. With parent's supervision and help, a child can enjoy this scientific experiment at home and have fun.

Materials for making pH Indicator

Filter paper
Beetroot - 1
Mineral water
Strainer
Paint brush

Method for making pH Indicator

1

Peel the beetroot and grate it. Place the grated beetroot in a vessel half filled with water. Boil the water and simmer for 20 minutes on a low flame. Allow it to cool.

2

Filter the beetroot water with the help of a strainer. Collect the water in a tray and throw away the beetroot remains.

3

Take filter paper strips and dip in the beetroot water tray. Allow it to soak till uniformly colored.

4

Your pH Indicator is ready.

Take the Test

You can take the pH Indicator and start testing on various kind of liquids such as lemon juice, sour milk, milk, or even vinegar. To carry on the test, take the paint brush and dip in the liquid of your choice. Now with that brush dip paint on the pH indicator. The color on the pH indicator would change depending on whether the given liquid is an alkaline or acidic.

Tip

You can be innovative with various solutions instead of beet root for making pH indicator. Some other liquids include grape juice or even turmeric solution.

How it Works

The pigment present in the beetroot, known as Anthocyanin acts as the pH indicator and changes it's color according to the presence of alkaline or acidic nature of the liquids tested.

Expansion of Idea - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The essence of a particular written matter can be improved if it is converted to a virtually relaxing object. This same aspects directly corresponds with a picture. A picture is a virtual representation of any event which has occurred or can take place in the possible future.

The synopsis of a particular incident by a painting is infinite. A painting also provides various perspectives to a particular event or a situation. Let us take the example of 'The Jewel of Paintings' which is the 'Last Supper', which is  a 'Magnum Opus' of Leonardo Da Vinci. When art or historical aficionados glance at the picture, many perspectives of the Last Supper start generating in the brain. These perceptions can be greatly varied and may describe the entire plot in different ways. This can be considered the 'alchemy' of paintings. They have the ability to hypnotize an individual and trap him into thinking about that particular painting.

Before the concept of painting or other form of it was invented, matter was only available in the written form. As a result, imagining a particular scenario has a limitation and were not analyzed clearly. However, the invention of paintings in the form of arts paved the way for clarity of information. Individuals were able to understand concepts more clearly. As a result, a picture is really a divine art form. By this, I conclude that 'A picture is worth a thousand words'.

Expansion of Idea - Playing Safe Gets One Nowhere

Most of us believe in the policy of playing safe. As kids we felt safe holding our parent's hand while walking or crossing the road. Safety keeps us at peace. The thought of getting into trouble does not go well with most of us. As kids too we were taught to play safe. Our instinct tells us to ensure our safety first then think of everything else. As we grow as adults, we take this teaching very seriously. We rather prefer playing safe then taking risks as we fear of failure.

But consider what would have happened if none of us had the courage of taking risks. If the stone-age man had not taken risk and continued to live in the provided circumstances, what would have happened to our development as a human being. If he had not shown the courage to try out new things and learn new techniques, we may have ended up dwelling in the caves even today. Similarly consider the risks scientists take for the development of mankind, or astronauts take to learn more about the space and life around us. They do know that every step towards the unknown involves risk and threat to one's life but unless they go for it, how would they achieve success and gain new parameters in life.

All the progress that we see today, is a result of someone somewhere taking on certain challenges and risks for the betterment of the society. Agreed that, playing safe would keep you away from dangers and certain risks in life. Yet playing safe would also make your life dull and stagnate your growth. And hence one has to agree that 'playing safe would get one nowhere'.

A Complaint Poem By William Wordsworth

A Complaint is one of William Wordsworth's romantic works which deals with the loss and grief. In this poem the poet reveals his loss and suffering that he has gone through, - loss of someone he cared the most, may be a friend, or someone he loved. This loss has led his heart through a great mental distress and left him broken..

A Complaint

       - By William Wordsworth

There is a change—and I am poor;

Your love hath been, nor long ago,

A fountain at my fond heart's door,

Whose only business was to flow;

And flow it did; not taking heed

Of its own bounty, or my need.

What happy moments did I count!

Blest was I then all bliss above!

Now, for that consecrated fount

Of murmuring, sparkling, living love,

What have I? shall I dare to tell?

A comfortless and hidden well.

A well of love—it may be deep—

I trust it is,—and never dry:

What matter? if the waters sleep

In silence and obscurity.

—Such change, and at the very door

Of my fond heart, hath made me poor.

Expansion of Idea - Honest Is The Best Policy

Being untruthful always lands you in trouble. You have to remember every little lie you speak, every time you are being scrutinized. And remembering each and every lie can never be easy. But at the same time, remembering truth is never a problem. Because you do not have to remember it. It always exists in your mind just the way it occurred. Maintaining a lie on the other hand could be worrisome. You never know what could be asked to you, and how you would maintain the same answer every time. A dishonest person has to make special efforts to remember his deceits.

On the other hand a honest person can always be free from all the worries. It always pays to be honest. Though at times we are too tempted to lie, but still how hard we try, truth can never be hidden, it always resurfaces even though you try hard to keep it under wraps. People will respect you for your honesty. A honest friend is more trustworthy than a dishonest one. At the end of the day, if you are facing troubles and wish to speak to someone, given a choice you would always turn to that one honest friend you have. Though honest people are said to be a bit frank and sarcastic, their honesty is still respected and trusted. Honesty brings peace, grace and dignity to your life. And hence it could be said that 'Honesty is the best policy'.

Essay - Should all School Subjects be Compulsory or Should You Have a Choice

No more school days are an enjoyable time the way it was a while ago! Earlier school days bought smile on the student's face. But it does not happen any more. Nowadays the activities that the kids spend time doing in school are not at all enjoyable or interesting. How can a student enjoy time in school, when he is made to spend time with dull and boring subjects.

Student  should get a choice about what activity he wishes to do. If a student enjoys subjects like math then he should be allowed to enjoy his math sessions. On the other hand he should not be forced to involve in activities such as painting or languages. There are children who enjoy music more than subjects like mathematics. They avoid homework for such subjects and always score less marks. Hence the whole compulsion of studying subjects which one is not interested in is beyond my understanding.

We are all aware that a person would always do better in things he loves doing. There are many in this world who choose their passion as their profession and enjoy every minute working on what they love to do. Like great writers or poets or even painters who enjoy what they do. But consider people who do not get such choice and end up choosing a profession which they know they do not belong to. Such wrong career choices can lead a person to a disappointing life.

And hence every student should be given a choice to study what he enjoys the most. For example, if a student is interested in pursuing writing, then school should make a provision to hone up his writing and language skills and guide him to get better. If a student is interested in painting or drawing then such classes should be arranged for his benefits.

Should this not be the benefit of living in a democratic country, where each and every individual gets to enjoy his or her freedom. Thus schools should make an attempt in considering this matter and giving every student a choice of choosing subjects as per his taste and not force him to study subjects he is not interested in. 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Don't we wonder why working for long hours on computer give us numb or painful wrists. Same thing happens when we play video games for a long time. The reason our wrists undergo severe pain, numbness or a tingling sensation at times is due to a certain condition called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, commonly called CTS is a condition which occurs when the tunnel of bones and wrist's ligaments become narrow. This narrowed tunnel is responsible for the tingling sensation or numbness in our hand, as the narrowed tunnel pinches the nerve. This numbness and tingling sensation caused by the carpal tunnel syndrome can be felt on an individual's hand, especially around the thumb and first three fingers.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The tunnel that gets affected due to the carpal tunnel syndrome is located under the skin of our wrist and is known as the carpal tunnel. The bottom and insides of the tunnel are formed by the wrist bones. The top of the carpal tunnel is covered with ligament. Nine tendons, that join a muscle with some other part of the body, and one median nerve passes through this carpal tunnel from our forearm to the hand. These tendons connect muscles to our bones  and thus help our hand to efficient maneuvering of the fingers and thumb. The median nerve passes through the tunnel and reaches the hand. There is very little space for the nine tendons and the median nerve to pass through. Repetitive movement such as typing or continuous movement of the wrist may result in swelling of wrist. This swelling pinches the nerve resulting in numbness or tingling sensation. One may even experience severe pain. This is the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Thus the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, severe pain and tingling sensation in your wrist.