A liquid sample from the laboratory was tested using various indicators: [Table showing: Red litmus - No change; Blue litmus - Turned red; Turmeric - No change in colour]. Based on the tests, identify the acidic or basic nature of the liquid and justify your answer.
The liquid sample is acidic in nature.
This is justified by the following observations:
Blue litmus turned red, which is a characteristic property of acidic substances as acids turn blue litmus to red.
Red litmus showed no change, indicating the absence of basic nature.
Turmeric showed no change in colour, which is consistent with acidic solutions as turmeric only changes colour (turns red) in basic solutions, not in acidic solutions.
Explanation
According to the chapter, acids turn blue litmus paper to red, while bases turn red litmus paper to blue. Turmeric paper turns red in basic solutions but remains unchanged in acidic and neutral solutions. The observations in the table clearly indicate acidic nature: blue litmus turned red (characteristic of acids), red litmus showed no change (not basic), and turmeric showed no change (not basic).
Solution Steps
The liquid sample is identified as acidic in nature based on indicator tests
Blue litmus turned red - characteristic property of acidic substances
Red litmus showed no change - indicates absence of basic nature
Turmeric showed no change - consistent with acidic solutions as turmeric turns red only in basic solutions