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Phenolphthalein is a compound with chemical formula of C20 H14 O4. It is colorless but turns pink in alkaline solutions. This is because it undergoes a process of ionization where positively or negatively charged ions are added or removed from a molecule, which converts the molecule into ions. Phenolphthalein molecule contains positively charged hydrogen ions and is naturally colorless with bright pink ions. When exposed to an alkaline solution, these hydrogen ions are removed, phenolphthalein molecule gets ionized and the solution turns pink. The stronger is the alkali solution, more hydrogen ions removed and stronger pink colour of the phenolphthalein solution.

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Q: Why does phenolphthalein change color in alkaline pH?
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What color does phenolphthalein change in bases?

For solutions with a pH higher than 8.2, phenolphthalein turns bright pink.


The true equivalence point in these titration was at pH7 What is the pH range for the color change of phenolphthalein?

Phenolphthalein changes from colorless to red in the range of pH = 8.0 to 9.6


What happens if phenolphthalein was added to salts?

If phenolphthalein is added to a solution of salts, it will not undergo any specific reaction. Phenolphthalein is used as an indicator in acid-base titrations, where it changes color depending on the pH of the solution. Since salts do not have acidic or basic properties, phenolphthalein will not exhibit any color change.


Why use phenolphthalein in ester hydrolysis?

Because depending on the pH the phenolphtalein solution change the color.


Why is phenolphthalein indicator used?

Phenolphthalein is used as an indicator because the color of the solution is changed according to pH.


Why you are adding phenolphthalein as a indicator?

One would add phenolphthalein as an indicator for bases with a pH of 8.2 to 10.0 If the phenolphthalein changes color from colorless to pink or red, a base with a pH between the aforementioned pH values is present.


What happens when you mix Sodium hydroxide and phenolphthalein?

it will turn pink. phenophathaline turns pink in alkaline ph


What colour does hydrochloric acid turn phenolphthalein?

It should be clear. Phenolphthalein doesn't change color in the presence of an acid, only a base.


What color is phenolphthalein in acidic soultions?

Clear, no color visible below a pH of approximately 8.0


How does phenolphthalein work?

Phenolphthalein is an indicator that undergoes a colour change from colourless to pink that begins at a pH of 8.0. So in the titration your performing the phenolphthalein will start to change colour at the point when the moles of acid equal the moles of base. Although this colour change occurs at a pH of 8.0 and not at a pH of 7.0 phenolphthalein is commonly used because of the distinctive colour change that occurs. Phenolphthalein is colourless in acids and pink/purple in base. It also turns orange in very strong acids.


What color does phenolphthalein turn when dipped in water?

Phenolphtalein is colorless at pH=7.


Why phenolphthalein is chosen as the suitable indicator for sodium hydroxide?

Sodium hydroxide is a base. And phenolphthalein is a pH indicator that changes color at around a pH of 8.4, so you can tell when your solution that endpoint.