Question

In a manufacturing unit of hydrochloric acid situated near a lake, an accident occurs resulting in spillage and leakage of the storage tanks containing hydrochloric acid. The spillage spreads all over an iron structure and also into the lake. The specialists are called for an inspection, who observe fizzing on the surface of the iron structure.

i) The specialists want to know about the spillage into the lake using litmus paper. Which of the following observations will be true.

• A. Red litmus turns blue and blue turns red
• B. Red litmus remains red and blue turns red
• C. Red litmus turns blue and blue remains blue
• D. No change in the colour of litmus paper

Answer 1

The correct option is B Red litmus remains red and blue turns red

Litmus paper is an acid-base indicator where red litmus turns blue and blue remains blue in case of basic solution. While blue litmus turns red and red remains red in case of acidic solution.

Since there is an acid spillage in the lake, the water would have been acidic. Therefore, when the specialist will use red litmus paper to check the acid spillage, it will remain red while blue litmus will change to red.