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.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
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.
Learn more about Acids & BasesRelated Questions
-
Q:
What causes pH levels to change in water?
A: According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), changes in water's pH levels are caused by the dumping of certain ch... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is a buffer in chemistry?
A: In chemistry, a buffer is a substance that is able to resist changes in pH when it is a part of a solution. Buffers are added to solutions to resist acidic... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How do you perform acid-base titration in a lab?
A: Perform an acid-base titration in the lab by setting up a burette, dissolving the material for analysis in water in a flask, adding an indicator, recording... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How is phenolphthalein employed in titration?
A: Phenolphthalein is a weak acid used in titration to provide visual indication of the equilibrium point between the concentration of moles of acid and moles... Full Answer >Filed Under:
