Question

What is the difference between litmus paper,methyl orange and phenolphthalein.

Answer 1

Litmus paper, phenolphthalein and methyl orange, all are indicators that is they are used to determine whether a given substance is acidic or basic in nature. However, they differ from each other with respect to the colour they exhibit in acidic and in basic solutions. Litmus paper is of two types - red litmus and blue litmus.

1) Acids turn blue litmus paper red while bases turn red litmus paper blue.

2) Phenolphthalein is a indicator prepared in alcohol. It is colourless in acidic solutions but shows pink colour in basic solutions.

3) Methyl orange shows red colour in acidic solutions but orange-yellow colour in basic solutions.