Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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8th-grade Dissolving Teeth Project

I'm doing my science fair project on which liquid dissolves your teeth the most.

I have already started my project with my teachers approval but now I need to look up notes on my project so that I'm staying with the rest of my class who have not started yet.

Do you know the pH levels for:(1)water (2)lemonade (3)Sprite and (4)Hcl or hydrochloric acid

*(my teacher disstilled but the extent of how much it was disstilled I do not know)*

Also if you had any notes on dissolving teeth in any of these liquids would also be helpful.

Alex S.
8th grade science fair - Austin, Texas
2004

Alex,

This seems like a great experiment. You most defiantly are going down the right path with finding the properties of each solution. Another thing you can look into is what teeth are made of. I am sure a dentist would love to answer that question. As for the pH of the solutions you should ask you school if they have a meter or some other means to test for the pH..

Good luck and have fun.

Kevin Dodd
- Austin, Texas
2004

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2004

HiYa!

pH level scale runs from strong acid ph-1 through strong alkali pH 14. Water is technically neutral at pH-7.

(2) lemonade is citric in acid and depending on concentration can range pH 5.5 - 6.0.

(3) Sprite is a light acid pH 5.00 - 6.00

(4) HCl or Hydrochloric Acid is an extreme acid and depending on concentration falls between pH 1.00 - 3.00. PLEASE AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR INHALATION OF VAPORS, it is quite armful.

You may want to substitute regular house vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] would do to teeth. Now a quiz: What property do bone and teeth have in common?(What are bone and teeth made of?)

Fun with chemistry and enjoy!

=CHRIS=

Chris Friedberg
- Newington, Virginia

You can buy some litmus paper and test the pH level of the liquids.

Karen Sauler
- Atlanta, GA, USA
2004

Sorry Karen but litmus paper will only tell you if it is above or below a specific pH for red and for blue litmus paper. A narrow range pH paper in several ranges below 7 will give decent results. For good results you will need a pH meter.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2004