Encyclopedia > Chemical detector

  Article Content

Chemical detector

PH indicator From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A pH indicator is a chemical compound that is added in small amounts to a solution so that the pH (acidity or alkalinity) of the solution can be determined easily. Hence a pH indicator is a chemical detector for protons (H+). Normally, the indicator causes the color of the solution to change depending on the pH.

pH indicators themselves are frequently weak acids or bases. When introduced into a solution, they may bind H+ or OH- ions. The different electronic configuration of the bound indicator causes the indicator's color to change.

Because of the subjective determination of color, pH indicators frequently do not give very precise readings. For applications requiring precise measurement of pH, a pH meter is frequently used.

pH indicators are frequently employed in titrations in analytic chemistry and biology experiments to determine the extent of a chemical reaction.

Common pH indicators litmus paper universal indicator phenolphthalein



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
Thomas a Kempis

... conducted by the Brethren of the Common Life[?]. He became skilful as a copyist and was thus enabled to support himself. Later he was admitted to the Augustinia ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 21.5 ms