Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of pH indicators

A variety of pH indicators are available which are chemical compounds and that are added to the sample solution to determine the pH. Typically, by adding a pH indicator it detects hydrogen ions and the color of the solution changes according to the pH level. Phenolphthalein, bromothymol blue, methyl red, and Universal indicators are the most commonly used indicators indicating a pH range of about 8 to 10, 6 to 7.5, 4.5 to 6, and 1-14 accordingly.

The advantages of pH indicators are as follows.

  • This technique of determining pH is quick, inexpensive, and easy.
  • They quickly determine the nature of the sample, whether it is acidic or a basic.
  • They save time and money produces fast results.
  • This is quick and easy using than pH meter.
  • The pH indicators are very simple to use, you just have to add a few drops to the sample.

The disadvantages of pH indicators are as follows.

  • The sample solution must be colorless enough to clearly observe the changes in the color of the indicator.
  • An indicator is not functional above its pH range because the indicator does not change color at these pH values.
  • If the substance or sample is contaminated, the color may be wrong.
  • Acid-base indicators show just one or two color changes.
  • Indicators measure pH at low accuracy, they only indicate sample acidity or alkalinity and not exact pH.


You may also like this

1 comment:

  1. Nice also be careful with the PH indicators

    ReplyDelete