Litmus Paper

Today I was in science class, and I started thinking about litmus paper. I know this sounds random, but I'm at least 65% sure that the class was learning about acids and bases. If they weren't, then I'm not really sure how a thought like that happens. The students were doing partner work, but since my fellow teachers apparently have a problem with how my job is going, I decided to just sit in there and get some other paperwork done. So I wasn't really paying attention, because yeah, I could sit there and help them find the answers to the directed reading sheets, but it's really better for them to interact with their peers than with me. Anyways.

Litmus paper. So the red paper turns blue if what is being tested is a base. And the blue turns red if it's testing an acid. But why? I mean, I understand what it's used for and everything, but it's not like the blue paper will turn MORE red if the substance is more acidic. So really what's the point? Why not just use those other little tiny pieces of paper that turn a variety of colors depending on the substance? I think litmus paper is just something I don't understand. This is something I've been dealing with for a long time. I can use the paper. I can report the results. I just don't know why it IS.

It's been really warm in Florida these past few days. Like in the mid-80's. I don't really mind except for the obvious downside: the smell of sweaty students. All the kids get to go outside for 25 minutes a day around their lunch period, which (conveniently for lunch) falls in the middle of the day. It means that after about 11:30, the school smells like sweat. I'm used to it and have grown to expect it in, say, May. Or October. But this is February. In my opinion, it should really be a sweat-free month, even in southern Florida. Although, I could pull out some litmus paper to see if sweat turns blue or red. I guess that's the upside of the situation.