======pH Indicator Easter Eggs======


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**Alternative titles:** Color Changing Easter Eggs
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Boil red cabbage in water until the liquid turns deep purple, then strain out the cabbage.  
  - Hard-boil eggs and let them cool.  
  - Place the eggs in the cabbage water until they are dyed purple.  
  - Remove the eggs and dry them.  
  - Use a cotton swab dipped in vinegar to draw patterns or write messages (areas will turn pink/red).  
  - Use a cotton swab dipped in baking soda solution to draw patterns or write messages (areas will turn green/teal).



====Links==== 
Easter Egg Decorating - Cabage pH Indicator Experiment - Emily Calandrelli: 
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====Variations====
  * Use lemon juice instead of vinegar for acidic patterns.  
  * Try washing soda or soap solution for stronger base effects.  
  * Use white or brown eggs to compare how the background shell color affects the final design.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Adult supervision required when boiling water and handling hot eggs.  
  * Wear gloves to avoid staining hands with cabbage dye.  
  * Avoid contact with eyes when using vinegar or baking soda solutions.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does red cabbage change color in acids and bases? (It contains anthocyanin, a pH-sensitive pigment.)  
  * What colors do you expect if you use something very acidic like lemon juice versus something strongly basic like washing soda?  
  * How could you use this experiment to test the pH of unknown household substances?