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Goldenrod Color-Changing Paper

Use pH and bases and watch the brilliant red color appear from nowhere

  • Goldenrod Paper (100 Pack) with Spray Bottle
    Item #: WGRP-250

    $9.99 In Stock
  • Goldenrod Paper (500 Pack)
    Item #: WGRP-500

    $24.99 In Stock

Usually ships out the next day.

Recommend for 6 years & up with adult supervision.

At first glance our Goldenrod Paper looks like an ordinary piece of yellow paper. In fact, someone could go their entire life thinking that this was just yellow paper. But the secret is hidden in the dye used in the making of the paper. Rub a cotton ball soaked with ammonia water on the paper and it turns bright red! Ammonia water is a cleaning agent and is classified in chemistry as a base. If the opposite of a base is an acid, what would happen if you rubbed a cotton ball soaked with vinegar or lemon juice on the red streaks? The paper changes back to yellow! Recommended for children ages 6 and up.

Our 100 pack of Goldenrod Paper now includes a spray bottle for your "magic" ammonia-water solution!

What's included?

  • Your choice of 100 sheets with an included spray bottle or 500 sheets of Goldenrod Paper (without a spray bottle)

How does it work?

True goldenrod paper is coated with a dye that acts as an acid-base indicator. In fact it's the world's largest acid/base indicator strip and can be used for lots of science experiments!

What does it teach?

Learn about the difference between acid and alkaline substances by testing them on the paper.

Experiment:

Paint pictures on your goldenrod paper with vinegar first, and then paint with a baking soda solution. The pictures appear in different colors when the chemical reaction takes place! Be creative with your chemistry!

Making science great...

Kathleen CO   -  November 30, 2011

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This user gave 5/5 stars


Days long ago I was a registered Radiologic Technologist. It was way before digital x-rays and all the x-rays were hand developed. I worked with a doctor who loved to play tricks. One day, when I opened the darkroom door, I noticed the paper sleeve that was between the films was red “bleeding”. I figured out it was from the developing chemicals mixing with the goldenrod paper. Perfect opportunity to get back at the boss. I ran out of the room and told him I must be bleeding from somewhere, showed him the paper and tried really hard not to laugh as he was checking my hands and head for any wounds. Gotcha was an understatement!

Thanks for making science so great for so many kids and adults.

Paper is too thin

Esther Dijkdrenth    -  November 20, 2011

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This user gave 2/5 stars


The color change is not nearly as dramatic as the description makes it out to be. Also, when you try to get the color to change in any truly noticeable fashion, the liquids will quickly soak through the paper and it starts to tear. I was unimpressed. We'll probably use the remaining batch as plain old yellow coloring paper.

Doesn't work without liquid plumber

Linda Youmans-McDonald    -  November 21, 2010

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This user gave 1/5 stars


This paper does not create "bloody" anything unless you use ingredients that require safety goggles, thick gloves, and immediate handwashing. I tried to make the "bloody handprint" using windex and the color change was from goldenrod to a slightly darker yellow. No luck when trying a baking soda paste. Pure ammonia created a burgendy color that was not even close to blood-like. I finally got the "bloody" color when I used pure drain cleaner (liquid plumber). This made the paper useless for my halloween science "hands-on" experiment and had me scurrying around at the last minute to find an alternate. Either I got two bad batches that need to be replaced (too late) or the advertising of this paper should be changed to note that the color change is undramatic except when using dangerous household chemicals (pure ammonia and sodiume hydroxide). I am very dissapointed. A refund would be appreciated.

Disappointing

Joe Childers    -  November 7, 2010

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This user gave 2/5 stars


Be warned! This paper is hardly thicker than copy paper. Furthermore, the red is not as vivid as with other goldenrod papers. It seems to me that Steve Spangler has cut corners; there should be more indicator on thicker paper. I will try to find another supplier for this item in the future.

Goldenrod Paper Kit

jim lorz    -  February 4, 2010

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This user gave 2/5 stars


I thought this would be good to have my kids make Valentine's Day cards for their mothers. I read all about it in your ad. It didn't say anywhere that the paper would change back to yellow when the ammonia evaporated. When the package arrived I checked it out well before I opened it. The directions do say that the red change is only temporary, but that information is hidden behind the other sticker on the package. I re-visited the web site and re-played the video clip. There it wqs. A whole second or 2 saying that the red would turn back to yellow when the ammonia dried. Oh, well. Live and learn.

Goldenrod Color-Changing Paper

Harmony Denver, CO   -  August 3, 2009

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This user gave 5/5 stars


Great for making "Bleeding Heart" valentines.