Question

Is methyl red a suitable indicator when you are titrating a strong acid with a strong base? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Yes, methyl red is a suitable indicator when we are titrating a strong acid with a strong base

Let us consider the titration of HCl and NaOH. The pH values of different stages of titration show that at first the pH changes very slowly and rise to only about 4. Further addition of such a small amount as 0.01 mL of the alkali raises the pH value by about 3 units to pH 7. Now the acid is completely neutralized. Further, of about 0.01 mL of 0.1 M NaOH will amount to adding hydrogen ions and the pH value will jump to about 9. Thus, near the end point, there is a rapid increase in pH from about 4 to 9.

An indicator is suitable only if it undergoes a change of color at the pH near the endpoint. Thus the indicators like, methyl red can show the color change in the ph range of 4 to 10.

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