Dear Dexter School,

     The powder that appeared on your school playground was a mixture of baking soda, salt, and cornstarch . A group of scientists and I analyzed 6 powders, and the mystery powder with 7 different liquids.  The six powders were corn starch, sugar, baking soda, citric acid, and calcium carbonate .

         First we looked at all the powders and got our basic observations .  Then we put water, alcohol, oil, and vinegar on the powders .  Then we saw if  it would have the same reaction if we put the powder into the liquid . Our biggest reaction with the powders and liquids was with baking soda and vinegar because it fizzed . Later we used iodine . The biggest reaction with that was with corn starch because it turned black . After that we used phenol red .  If it turned yellow with that it meant it had acid in it . When we used phenolphthalein we found out what was a base . If it turned pink it was a base .

        When we tested the mystery powder with phenolphthalein it turned white with a little bit of pink in it so we knew one of the powders was a base .  With Phenol red it turned totally pink which meant it had no acids in it .  When we mixed iodine with it, it turned black, so we knew it had cornstarch in it. When it fizzed with vinegar we knew it had baking soda in it and  that part of it was a base.  Then we saw it had little crystals like salt so we knew it was salt .

           I think the baking soda, salt, and cornstarch came from the grocery store because it is right across the street and it has all of those items.  It could have gotten there when a truck spilled some next to the playground.  I hope you have a powder free year. .                         

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Page created by Ms. Marcell's class.

This page last updated: 08/28/04