Carry out Steps 1-5 to investigate three indicators (bromothymol blue, methyl orange and phenolphthalein).

Follow the instructions carefully.

WEAR EYE PROTECTION.
Step 1: Put 4 drops of 0.1 M HCl(aq) into circle A1 to create one large drop. Repeat for each circle B1 – D1.
Step 2: Now use the solutions named at the top of the other columns (i.e. instead of HCl) to repeat Step 1 for A2 – D2, A3 – D3, A4 – D4 & A5 – D5.
Step 3: Put 1 drop of bromothymol blue into each circle A1 to A5; 1 drop of methyl orange in B1 – B5 and 1 drop of phenolphthalein in C1 – C5.
Step 4: Make a mixture of indicators (do this in a glass vial or well plate) using the recipe in the green-shaded box below.
Step 5: Put 1 drop of your mixed indicator into each solution in circles D1 – D5. Make a note of your observations (take a photo?).

0.1 M HCl(aq) pH 4 buffer “pure” water pH 9 buffer 0.1 M NaOH(aq)

(strong acid, pH = 1) (weak acid) (neutral, pH = 7) (weak alkali) (strong alkali, pH = 13)
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5
bromothymol blue
(BB)

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

methyl orange
(MO)
INDICATOR

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

Phenolphthalein
(PP)

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
Mixed indicator:
BB = 10 drops
MO = 5 drops
PP = 5 drops