Monday, June 6, 2011

Will the color of methyl orange change if water is added to it?

Methyl orange is an acid-base indicator and is commonly used in determining the acidity or alkalinity of a given water sample. The color change of this indicator is pH dependent. In an alkaline solution, the color of the indicator is yellow, while in an acidic solution, the color of the indicator is red.


However, the color change does not take place at the neutral pH. Methyl orange has a pH range of 3.1-4.4. Another thing to keep in mind is that the color is gradual and not drastic. That is, as we keep on adding acid to an alkaline solution, the solution will change its color from yellow to orange and then finally to red.


Water normally has a pH value of around 7 (could be in the range of 6.5-7.5 or so). At that pH, the color of methyl orange is yellow. So, the addition of water to methyl orange will not have an effect on the color and the solution will still be around neutral pH and yellow in color. 


Hope this helps.

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