Why do chemists use methyl orange in a titration?
Quick Answer
Methyl orange is frequently used as an indicator in acid titrations because it very clearly changes from red at a pH of 3.1 to orange at a pH of 4.4. Because the change in color takes place around the pH of most acids, methyl orange is commonly used for strong acid titrations and not for base titrations.
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Titration is a technique in chemistry that is used to find a concentration of an unknown solution. Different pH indicators are used in titration that change color at a certain pH, allowing the chemist to know when a reaction has been completed. Among these indicators are universal indicators, phenolphthalein and methyl orange.
Methyl orange, which is also used as a textile dye, is used as an indicator in titration because of its bright and distinct color change. At a pH value of 3.1, methyl orange appears red. When the pH rises to 4.4, methyl orange changes to a bright orange color. While phenolphthalein is used for base titrations and some acid titrations, and universal indicators have a full spectrum of color changes, methyl orange is used specifically for acid titrations because it has a very clear and sharp color change with a definitive endpoint. Proper safety equipment should be used when dealing with methyl orange, as it can damage and cause mutations to DNA.
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