What Colour Does Litmus Paper Turn When Dipped In Acid?

When it comes to testing the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, litmus paper is widely used in laboratories and other scientific settings. Litmus paper is a pH indicator made from a mixture of natural dyes extracted from lichens. It changes color depending on whether the substance is acidic or alkaline.

Acids have a pH value less than 7, while alkalis have a pH value greater than 7. Litmus paper is specifically designed to determine whether a substance is an acid or not. When dipped in an acid, litmus paper undergoes a color change that is easily observable.

So, what color does litmus paper turn when dipped in acid? Litmus paper is usually blue in its natural state, but when exposed to an acidic solution, it turns red. The change in color is due to a chemical reaction between the dye in the litmus paper and the acid. The acidic solution donates hydrogen ions to the litmus paper, resulting in a shift of the pH level and the subsequent color change.

This color change in litmus paper is an important tool for scientists and researchers as it allows them to quickly identify whether a substance is acidic or alkaline. It provides a simple and effective method for determining the pH level of a solution.

It is worth noting that litmus paper is not the only pH indicator available. There are other indicators that change color in response to different pH levels, such as phenolphthalein or bromothymol blue. Each indicator has its own range of pH values over which it changes color, making it suitable for specific applications.

In conclusion, when litmus paper is dipped in acid, it turns from blue to red. This color change is a result of the chemical reaction between the acid and the dye in the litmus paper. Litmus paper is a valuable tool for determining the pH level of a substance, providing scientists and researchers with a quick and reliable method for acidic identification.

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