Overall, the experiment enforced the ability to use chemical indicators and basic chemistry and knowledge to identify simple unknown powder substances. Iodine is a chemical indicator that turns purple and was required to test the substances for starch in the experiment; this knowledge was acquired due to the experiment and the research conducted prior. Also, the information of basic base and acid reactions was learned throughout the experiment conducted. When a base and an acid react, the reaction may produce a gas, enforcing the formation of bubbles and showing a fizzing reaction. Lastly, the difference between physical and chemical changes was enforced during this experiment because some substances could only be identified through the physical appearance and physical changes that occurred when the liquids were mixed in.
There were four unknown substances, and three known liquids: iodine, vinegar and water. Iodine is a chemical indicator for starch and will turn purple if it is present in the substance (1) while vinegar is a common household liquid used for cooking. The materials that were used in the experiment were simple tools and substances that can be found in a common and basic lab. The liquids used during the experiment were stored in three different beakers. A 4X6 well tray was used to display and make the comparison between the different substances after being tested with each of the three liquids. The 4X6 well tray labeled rows as A, B, C, and D, while the columns were labeled as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Wooden sticks were used to measure the amount of powder that was placed in each well. Plastic pipettes and an iodine dropper were used to measure the amount of liquid that was added to the powders. Toothpicks were used to mix the powders and the liquids. The procedures conducted for the experiment are as followed: