Question

im doing research on why sodium bicarbonate absorbs ordors
do you know how i could calculate the ph level?
do you have an idea of how or what type of data i could collect?

Answer 1

You are going to do that experimentally, isn't it? If so, why don't you use an indicator like litmus paper? Or if you need a quantitative measurement, digital indicators are available in the market(though a bit expensive).

Answer 2

Does sodium bicarbonate absorb the odor of all substances? What about its own odor?

Answer 3

what would my control and variables be?

Answer 4

You could check if the absorption changes with the change in concentration of NaHCO3. That would be your variable.
If it doesn't, look for other variables.
I am not very acknowledged with this. Are you in college?

Answer 5

no.
im a senior in high school

Answer 6

Oh, well even I am :). Can you explain what this odor absorption is? How/why did you come to research on such a topic?

Answer 7

For measuring pH, as Mani Jha said, you could use a pH meter.

However, I don't get your research topic/proposal. Your question asks "why", but carrying out an experiment that observes "how" or "what" won't really answer your question...

Answer 8

hmm,
well we needed to construct an experiment individually.
based on something that would be appealing to a specific audience.
I wanted to do something different.
i guess it's not working.

Answer 9

So its like a science fair project? God I hated and still do hate those...

Answer 10

Well, doing the experiments are fun, but making a board and writing a paper is annoying :/

Answer 11

I agree

Answer 12

yes, kind of

Answer 13

i hate science fair type projects too

Answer 14

If your doing a science fair project, your question should ask 'how' and it should be something that could be quantitatively measured.

This is like a middle school science fair project, but its still an example nonetheless:
Question: Under what color of light do plants grow best?
Hypothesis: Plants grow best under red lights.
What you will measure: Plant height/# of leaves, etc.

Answer 15

lol, the question in that example does not ask how :3
Well, it is quantitatively measureable.

Answer 16

@Rogue, Reasoning comes after observation. So I guess we would have to first know 'how', and only then we shall be able to answer 'why'...
@Patissocoolike, Well, if you've got to appeal to an audience, it isn't a very good idea. Unless if you can fill the stage with an odor and absorb it totally using NaHCO3!

Answer 17

alright, i'll see what i can do

Answer 18

@Mani Jha, I guess, but I don't really see how this could be made into an experiment... You need a dependent & indep. variable.

Answer 19

Anyways, I've got to finish an english paper, I'll be back later if I have time or if I can stay awake T_T

Answer 20

I would say use a mixture of baking soda and iodine to make like a home made tester