A pH indicator is a colour changing (or halochromic)
chemical compound that is added in small amounts to a solution so that the pH
(acidity or basicity) of the solution can be determined visually.
A pH indicator is a chemical detector for hydronium ions
(H3O+) or hydrogen ions (H+). Normally, the indicator causes the colour of the solution to change depending on the pH.pH (potential of hydrogen) is a scale of acidity from 0 to 14. It tells how acidic or alkaline a substance is. More acidic solutions have lower pH. More alkaline solutions have higher pH. Substances which are not acidic or alkaline (neutral) usually have a pH of 7. Acids have a pH less than 7. Alkalis have a pH greater than 7.
pH indicator solutions are themselves weak acids or bases. As one chemical is added it changes the arrangement of the electrons in the molecule causing it to absorb different wavelengths of light and therefore appear different in colour.
Different chemicals can be used for different pH ranges as shown in the diagram below.
pH indicators are frequently employed in titrations in
analytical chemistry and biology to determine the extent of a chemical
reaction. Because of the subjective choice (determination) of colour, pH
indicators are susceptible to imprecise readings. For applications requiring
precise measurement of pH, a pH meter is frequently used.
Many plants or plant parts contain chemicals from the
naturally-coloured anthocyanin family of compounds. They are red in acidic
solutions and blue in basic. Anthocyanins can be extracted with water or other
solvents from a multitude of coloured plants or plant parts, including from
leaves (red cabbage); flowers (geranium, poppy, or rose petals); berries
(blueberries, blackcurrant); and stems (rhubarb). Extracting anthocyanins from
household plants, especially red cabbage, to form a crude pH indicator is a
popular introductory chemistry demonstration.
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