HSC Core Module 2: Acidic Environment

1. Indicators were identified with the observation that the colour of some flowers depends on
soil composition.

Classify common substances as acidic, basic or neutral

An Acid is a substance which in solution produces hydrogen ions, H+, or more strictly H 3O+, sometimes called
hydronium ions.
2-

A base is a substance which either contains the oxide O or hydroxide ion OH- or which in solution produces
the hydroxide ion. A soluble base is called an alkali.
Common Properties of all Acids:
-

Acids have a sour taste

Acids sting or burn the skin (I.e. corrosive)
In solution, acids conduct electricity
Acids turn blue litmus (a vegetable dye) red - **Blue in Acid goes Red (BAR)

Common properties of all Alkalis

-

Alkalis have a soapy feel

Alkalis have a bitter taste
In solution, alkalis are good conductors of electricity
Alkalis turn red litmus blue

A way of classifying substances is to group them according to their ability to change the colour of a natural
dye or acid-base indicator. This is a solution of a pigment or dye that changes the colour in the presence of
acids and bases.
Historically, this method of classification was related to other observable properties of these substances, such
as their taste and ability to attack and corrode other materials such as iron or limestone.
These investigations allowed substances to be classified as acidic, alkaline (basic) or neutral.
One of the first indicators to be used to classify substances was an aqueous extract from a lichen. This extract
is called litmus. Lichens resemble plants but are more complex. They are an association of a fungus and an
alga. Litmus extracts are naturally blue-purple in neutral water.
Substances

Properties

Litmus Colour

Classification

White vinegar,
Soda Water,
Lemon Juice.

Tastes Sour
Attacks and dissolves
some reactive metals
Attacks limestone
Does not react with fats

Blue-purple to Red

Acid

Water

No taste
Does not react with most
metals
Does not react with fats

Remains blue-purple

Neutral

Ammonia solution
Washing soda solution
Baking soda solution
Lime water

Tastes bitter
Does not attack metals
Reacts slowly with fats

Blue purple to blue

Base

Litmus can be provided as the aqueous extract of in the form of red and blue litmus paper. Blue litmus papers
are prepared by soaking white paper in litmus solution and then allowing them to dry.
The red papers are prepared by soaking the white papers in the litmus solution that has been made red by the
addition of dilute acid.

Litmus has its limitations; for example it is not able to distinguish neutral solutions from those that are very
weakly acid or weakly basic. It is best used for solutions that are moderately or strongly acidic or basic.
Other common acidic, neutral or basic substances in water:
Acidic Substances
Vinegar
Fruit Juices
Carbonated soft drinks
Car battery acid
Lactic acid

Neutral Substances
Water
Salt Water
Glucose solutions.
Alcohol-water solutions
Lactose solution

Basic Substances
Ammonia solutions
Washing Soda solution
Baking Soda Solution
Limewater
Oven cleaners

Sample Question:
Ishani tested an unknown colourless solution with pieces of red and blue litmus paper. The red paper stayed
red and the blue paper stayed blue. Ishani decided that the solution was neutral. Justify her conclusion.
The red paper would stay red if the solution was neutral or acidic. The blue paper would stay blue if the
solution was neutral or basic. Thus, since both the red litmus paper and the blue litmus paper remained their
colours, the solution must be neutral.

Identify that indicators such as litmus, phenolphthalein, methyl orange and bromothymol
blue can be used to determine the nature of a material over a range, and that the range is
identified by a change in indicator.

Common Indicators:
In addition to using plant extracts, chemists have developed a wide range of synthetic acid base indicators.
These indicators allow chemists to determine the range of acidity or basicity within very narrow limits. Using
techniques of systematic dilution, chemists can prepare solutions of acids or bases of decreasing molarity.
Colour ranges of common acid-base indicators in HCl (acidic) solutions of increasing dilution
HCl Concentration
1.0
10^-1
10^-2
10^-3
10^-4
10^-5
10^-6
0 (water)

Methyl Orange
Red
Red
Red
Orange-Red
Orange-Red
Orange
Yellow
Yellow

Litmus
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Bluish-Red
Blue-purple
Blue-purple

Bromothymol Blue
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow-Green
Green

Phenolphthalein
Colourless
Colourless
Colourless
Colourless
Colourless
Colourless
Colourless
Colourless

Colour ranges of common acid-base indicators in NaOH (basic) solutions of increasing dilution.
NaOH Concentration
1.0
10^-1
10^-2
10^-3
10^-4
10^-5
10^-6
0 (water)

Methyl Orange
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow

Litmus
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue-purple
Blue-purple

Bromothymol Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Green-blue
green

Phenolphthalein
Red-Pink (crimson)
Red-Pink (crimson)
Red-Pink (crimson)
Red-Pink (crimson)
Deep Pink
Pink
Pale Pink
Colourless

Identify and describe some everyday uses of indicators including the testing of soil
acidity/basicity

Acid-base indicators are used widely in industry, research and in various domestic and horticultural
applications.
Chemical Research
In a chemical lab, indicators are used to:
Determine wether the solutions are acidic, basic or neutral
Monitor the change in acidity during volumetric analysis when an acid is being used to neutralise a
base.
Testing the Acidity of Water
Acid-base indicator papers of aqueous solutions of various indicators can be used to monitor the acidity of
basicity of water (pH). A universal indicator is a very useful mixed indicator. It is suitable for field testing of
water samples as its extensive colour range allows small changes in acidity to be noted.
In swimming pools, the acidity levels must also be monitored. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is added to
swimming pools to kill microbes. The hypochlorite ion reacts with water to produce unstable hypochlorous acid
(HOCl) and hydroxide ions. HOCl is the active form, which kills microbes but is relatively unstable.
The presence of hydroxide ions raises the basicity of the water. HCl can be added to return the water to near
neutrality (ph 7.2 7.6). This must be done to protect the eyes and throats of swimmers from becoming
irritated. If the Ph drops to 6.5, then the metal fittings of the pool circulation system will be attacked. At a pH
of 7.5 the ratio of active HOCl to inactive OCl- is 1:1, and thus maximum chlorination efficiency is achieved.
Phenol Red is a suitable indicator to determine the correct acidity of the water. If too high ( >8,4), the
indicator turns red-purple, if too low (<6.8) the indicator turns yellow. When the indicator is pink/orange, the
acidity of the water is appropriate. Colours are compared with the supplied standard colour cards.
Testing the Acidity of Soil
Some plants grow best in slightly acidic soils while others prefer slightly alkaline soils. Soils that are too acidic
can be partially neutralised by adding bases such as crushed calcium carbonate or dolomite. Soils that are too
basic can be partly neutralised with fertilisers such sulfate of ammonia or by adding compost (rotting plants)
and manure containing natural acids.
Each plant species has a differing ideal ph;
For example:
Camellias have a pH range of 4.5 5.5
Apples have a range of 5.8-6.8
Potatoes have a range of 5.0-5.7
Cabbage have a range of 5.8-6.8
Soil pH can be measured using electronic instruments, but it can also be measured using universal indicators
and suitable narrow-range indicators.
Narrow Range Indicators used in Soil pH Analysis
Indicator
pH range
Methyl Orange
3.1-4.4
Bromocresol green
3.8-5.4
Chlorophenol Red
5.2-6.8
Bromothymol Blue
6.0-7.8
Phenol Red
6.8-8.4

Colour Range
Red Yellow
Yellow Blue
Yellow Red
Yellow Blue
Yellow Red

Method 1:
A test tube is one third filled with soil. Distilled water is added within 2cm of the top. The test tube is
stoppered and shaken, and the soil is allowed to settle for 3 minutes. A small amount of white barium sulfate
suspension can be added to aid with the settling process. A Pasteur pipette is then used to withdraw a sample
of the supernatant water into two clean tubes. Universal indicator is added to the first two and the colour is
compared to the pH chart. A narrow range indicator is then used from the above table to determine a more
accurate pH.
Method 2:

An alternative method is to saturate a soil sample in a dish with distilled water. White barium sulfate powder is
added to the surface, and the soil water is allowed to soak into the barium sulfate. Drop of indicator are then
added to the wet barium sulfate and colour observed.