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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2007  > May  >
In the Classroom
JCE Classroom Activity
How Does Your Laundry Glow?
Richard B. Weinberg
Departments of Internal Medicine and Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157
Cover
May 2007
Vol. 84 No. 5
p. 800A

Abstract
This Classroom Activity examines the effect of pH on the fluorescence properties of optical brighteners present in liquid laundry detergent. Students conduct acid titrations in the presence and absence of buffer to determine the pH of the fluorescence color transition. This Activity can be used to explore the principles of acid/base titrations, the action of buffers, and the photophysics of pH-sensitive fluorescent probes.
Supplement
pH curves of detergent solutions titrated with vinegar in the absence and presence of sodium bicarbonate are available.
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Citation
Weinberg, Richard B. J. Chem. Educ. 2007, 84, 800A.
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Keywords
Acids / Bases; Consumer Chemistry; Dyes / Pigments; Elementary / Middle School Science; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Photochemistry
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
3/22/2007
3/27/2007
 Caution! 
Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
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