Write the effect of dilute hydrochloric acid on the color of each one of the following indicators.
Blue litmus
1. Indicators
Indicators refer to substances that give observable change when the conditions of the solution change. For example, acid-base indicators can be used to distinguish between acidic and basic solutions. Some examples of indicators are Litmus, red cabbage, phenolphthalein, etc.
2. Effect on blue litmus
Litmus paper can be used to test whether a solution is acidic or basic. A blue litmus paper changes to red color under acidic conditions. It does not show any color change if the solution is basic and it remains blue itself.
The given solution is dilute HCl (Hydrochloric acid). Since HCl is an acid, the addition of dilute HCl to blue litmus produces a red colour.
Thus, dilute Hydrochloric acid will change blue litmus to red colour.