Acid-base indicators: what does "end-point colour" mean?
Chemistry discussion, revision, exam and homework help.
-
Re: Acid-base indicators: what does "end-point colour" mean?When the acid/base have been neutralised.(Original post by Alpha-Omega)
Example:
Phenolphthalein
Colour in acid: colourless
Colour in alkali: purple
End-point colour: pale pink
Methyl orange
Colour in acid: red
Colour in alkali: yellow
End-point colour: orange -
Re: Acid-base indicators: what does "end-point colour" mean?Is it when the pH is 7 (neutral)?(Original post by thegodofgod)
When the acid/base have been neutralised.
Or is it the colour change that we're looking for during acid-base titration?Last edited by Alpha-Omega; 08-01-2012 at 15:22. -
Re: Acid-base indicators: what does "end-point colour" mean?No, as GOG says it is the point when exactly all of the acid has been neutralised by the correct amount of base (or vice versa)(Original post by Alpha-Omega)
Is it the colour change that we're looking for during acid-base titration?
Or is it when the pH is 7 (neutral)?
If you have chosen the correct indicator you will also see the colour change here. It is NOT pH 7 (unless you have strong acid and strong base) -
Re: Acid-base indicators: what does "end-point colour" mean?Is the given end-point colour (e.g., pale pink for phenolphthalein) only true for an acid titrant? or is it also the same for a base titrant?(Original post by charco)
No, as GOG says it is the point when exactly all of the acid has been neutralised by the correct amount of base (or vice versa)
If you have chosen the correct indicator you will also see the colour change here. It is NOT pH 7 (unless you have strong acid and strong base)
Edit: I've done a bit of googling, does the end-point colour show when the concentration of the unionised indicator is equal to the concentration of ionised indicator?
Last edited by Alpha-Omega; 08-01-2012 at 15:30. -
Re: Acid-base indicators: what does "end-point colour" mean?Yes, but don't forget that in titration there is such a radical change of pH with tiny additions near the endpoint that it is virtually impossible to assure that you are exactly at the endpoint.(Original post by Alpha-Omega)
Is the given end-point colour (e.g., pale pink for phenolphthalein) only true for an acid titrant? or is it also the same for a base titrant?
Edit: I've done a bit of googling, does the end-point colour show when the concentration of the unionised indicator is equal to the concentration of ionised indicator?
For example, with phenolphthalein titrating a base with an acid, you would look for the colour disappearing.
The other way round and you look for the colour appearing (the first permanent hint of pink).
Hence the equal concentration of both indicator forms being equal in concentration is a theoretical concept that is pretty unlikely in practise.