Three kids have been learning chemistry for only a few months. But they have already begun to challenge a world famous scientist! Li Weichi, Huang Runling, and Xiao Yan are from Zhongshan Huaqiao Middle School in Guangdong. They have just found a red cabbage that could be a new kind of acid-base indicator . They want it to take the place of litmus paper. "We've learnt to think of and ask questions about life by ourselves," said Li, "We work well with each other." British scientist Robert Boyle discovered the use of litmus paper over 300 years ago. Now it is used widely in experiments all over the world. But when the kids did some experiments in class last winter, they saw that the litmus paper didn't turn very blue with base matter. It's hard to get a clear result. Will there be a better indicator than litmus paper? The three kids decided to try and find out! How? They went to collect over 40 plants in parks, gardens and markets. Then they ground leaves, flowers and stems to get the pigments from them. The kids mixed pigments with acid and base. They spent months watching carefully to see which paper showed the best colour change. They decided it was the litmus paper! "It's our first scientific journey, Huang said, "But it makes me want to try harder."
What subject do the kids study?
How many kids are there?
What are their names?
Are they in school?
Which one do they attend?
Where is that at?
What chemist are they challenging?
What did he discover?
How long ago was that?
What might replace the litmus paper?
chemistry
kids have been learning chemistry
Three
Three kids
Li Weichi, Huang Runling, and Xiao Yan
Li Weichi, Huang Runling, and Xiao Yan
Yes
from Zhongshan Huaqiao Middle School
Zhongshan Huaqiao Middle School
Zhongshan Huaqiao Middle School
Guangdong
Guangdong
Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle
the use of litmus paper
the use of litmus paper
over 300 years ago
over 300 years ago.
mixed pigments with acid and base
mixed pigments with acid and base