Acid-Base Indicators
An acid-base indicator is a weak acid which is one colour in its un-ionised form and another in its dissociated form.
HInd &rlhar H+ + Ind-
For methyl orange HInd is red and Ind- is yellow. For Litmus HLit is blue and Lit- is red. For phenolphthalein HInd is purple and Ind- is colourless.

Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
More in Acids, Bases and Buffers
- Calculating the pH of a Weak Acid
- The Ionic Product of Water Kw
- Calculating the pH of a Strong Base
- Buffer Solutions
- pH of a Buffer Solution
- Controlling the pH of Blood
- Titration Curves
- Standard Enthalpy of Neutralisation
All 16 lessons in Acids, Bases and Buffers · All Edexcel A-level Chemistry topics