Indicators

Sunday, 12 June 2022 5:02 PM

An indicator is a substance which is one colour in an acid and another colour in

a base. IT can therefore be used to test for the presence of an acid or base.
Some indicators are available in paper form, e.g. litmus and universal
indicator. Others are available in a liquid form, e/g methyl orange and
phenolphthalein.

Some common indicators

Indicator Colour in Acid Colour in Base

Litmus Red Blue
Phenolphthalein Colourless Pink
Methyl Orange Red Yellow
Screened Methyl Orange Red Green
Bromothymol blue Yellow Blue

Acids and Bases Page 1

Acids
Sunday, 12 June 2022 5:29 PM

An acid is a substance which produces free hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. Acids have a pH range
of 1 - 6.

Stronger acids dissociate completely in water while weaker acids only dissociate partially.

Reactions of Acids

•
•
•

Note that the metals Copper, gold and silver do not react with acids.

Salts are formed when the hydrogen cation of the acid is replaced by the ion of a metal.

Properties of Acids
• Sour in taste
• Changes blue litmus red
• Changes methyl orange red
• Give hydrogen ions in solution

Acids and Bases Page 2

Bases
Sunday, 12 June 2022 5:43 PM

Bases are soluble alkalis, which produce free OH- when dissolved in water.

Stronger Bases are ones which dissociate completely when dissolved while
weaker ones partially dissociate.

Reactions of Bases
•
•

Properties of Bases
• Bitter in taste
• Turns red litmus blue
• Turns methyl orange yellow
• Turns phenolphthalein pink
• Soapy to touch
• Give hydroxyl ions in solution

Acids and Bases Page 3

Salts
Sunday, 12 June 2022 6:31 PM

Acid Salts
Some of the replaceable H+ ions from the acid remain in the salt, giving them a
pH below 7
Dibasic and tribasic acids from acid salts when partially neutralized

Acid Salt: H2SO4 + NaOH -> NaHSO4 + H2O

Normal Salt: H2SO4 + 2NaOH -> Na2SO4 + 2H2O

Normal Salts
Normal salts form when all the H+ ions of an acid have been replaced by metal
ions or ammonium ions. They therefore contain no replaceable H + ions. Normal
salts may be soluble or insoluble.

Acids and Bases Page 4