Chemistry science fair question

[deleted-345151]

Hello! I am working on a science fair project that is a headband that can measure dehydration. I have figured out most of what I want to make it out of but I need some help to find out how to measure the PH level in sweat while still making it comfortable. Where could I find some supplies to buy something to measure the ph levels, or a spray of some sort to tell the wearer that they are getting dehydrated?

[donnahardy2]

Hi,

Welcome to Science Buddies!

This sounds like a really great project. The easiest way to measure the pH of sweat would be with pH paper, available from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resource ... B0009K8PPS

If you have a little extra time, you could also make your own pH paper from purple cabbage juice. Here are the directions from this website. The color change will be clearer and more distinct with the commercial pH paper.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p041.shtml

You may have to experiment to find the best way to use the pH paper. You can try touching the pH paper to the sweat on the person; hopefully there will be enough sweat to moisten the paper so the color will change. You might also try putting the pH paper under the headband after the person has been exercising for a few minutes. The pH paper is not toxic, but do offer your test subjects a moist towelette or damp paper towel after you conduct the test.

Good luck. Let us know if you have any other questions.


Donna