Methyl orange turns red in acidic solutions and yellow in basic solutions, while phenolphthalein is colorless in acidic solutions and pink in basic solutions. By observing the color changes of these indicators when added to a solution, one can determine whether the solution is acidic or basic.
How can synthetic indicators like methyl orange and phenolphthalein be used to test for acids and bases?
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Synthetic indicators like methyl orange and phenolphthalein undergo color changes in different pH ranges, making them useful for testing acids and bases. Methyl orange turns red in acidic conditions (pH 4.4), facilitating the detection of acids or bases. Phenolphthalein is colorless in acidic solutions (pH 10.0). By adding these indicators to a solution, the observed color change provides a visual indication of the pH level, aiding in the qualitative identification of acids or bases in various chemical analyses.