CS_Ch8_CoolChenistry

2/28/05

11:16 AM

Page 516

Cool Chemistry Show

increasing acidic
5

lemon juice

14 13 12 11 10

neutral

soft drinks, vinegar

increasing basic

battery acid

stomach acid

tomatoes, grapes

black coffee

normal rainwater

milk

pure water

blood

sea water

baking soda

soap solutions
antacids, Milk of Magnesia

household ammonia

hair remover

drain cleaner

BAKING
SODA

Acid and base indicators are compounds that are sensitive to pH.The
color of the indicator changes as the pH of the solution changes. Most
indicators are weak acids or weak bases that typically exhibit two
different colors under varying pH conditions.The table below shows
some common laboratory indicators and the colors they display under
different pH conditions.
Common Laboratory Acid-Base Indicators
Indicator

Color Change

methyl violet
thymol blue
methyl orange
bromocresol green
methyl red
litmus paper
bromothymol blue
phenolphthalein
thymolphthalein
cabbage juice

yellow to blue
red to yellow
red to yellow
orange to violet
red to yellow
red to blue
yellow to blue
colorless to red
colorless to blue
red to green

516
Active Chemistry

pH Range

0.0 to 1.6
1.2 to 2.8
3.2 to 4.4
3.8 to 6.4
4.2 to 6.3
5.5 to 8.0
6.0 to 7.6
8.2 to 10
9.4 to 10.6
2 to 12 (universal)