Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
Acid-Base Indicators: How Liquids Change Color
- Acid-base indicators are special dyes that change color depending on pH.
- Litmus turns red in acids and blue in bases—one of the oldest indicators.
- Red cabbage juice is a natural indicator that shifts from red to green across the pH scale.
- Phenolphthalein is colorless in acids but bright pink in bases.
- Indicators work because their molecules change structure when they gain or lose protons.
- Universal indicator is a mix of dyes that shows the full rainbow of pH levels.
- Indicators don’t alter the solution’s chemistry—they just reveal its acidity or alkalinity.
- In titrations, indicators mark the exact point when an acid and base neutralize.
- Some flowers contain anthocyanins, natural pigments that act like indicators.
- These colorful shifts turn invisible chemistry into something you can see.