Recipe of the Week – Week 3: Bicarbonate Indicator

Continuing our new series of chemical recipes, we bring you week 3 – bicarbonate indicator (HCO₃).

Remember that when preparing any of our recipes, you should always wear appropriate PPE.

What is a bicarbonate indicator?

Also known as hydrogencarbonate indicator, this sensitive pH indicator is used within photosynthesis and respiration experiments to show the concentration of carbon dioxide within a liquid – as the level of carbon dioxide changes, the colour will also.

The initial cherry red colour will change to yellow if the carbon dioxide content exceeds 0.04% and pink/purple when it drops below 0.04%.

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Scan the QR codes for classroom experiments to follow with your safe and prepared bicarbonate indicator.