Question

Two solutions X and Y give red and blue colour respectively with universal indicator.

1. In which solution is the hydrogen ion concentration more than the other? Justify your answer.
2. If X and Y are mixed in proper amounts and the resultant mixture is tested with a universal indicator, it turns green. What is the nature of the salt formed? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

1. In which solution is the hydrogen ion concentration more than the other? Justify your answer.
Solution X gives a red color with the universal indicator, which indicates that it is acidic. A red color indicates a low pH (around 1-4), and hence, the concentration of hydrogen ions (\( \text{H}^+ \)) is high in solution X.
Solution Y gives a blue color with the universal indicator, which indicates that it is basic. A blue color corresponds to a high pH (around 9-11), and hence, the concentration of hydrogen ions (\( \text{H}^+ \)) is lower in solution Y compared to solution X.
Thus, solution X has a higher hydrogen ion concentration than solution Y.

2. If X and Y are mixed in proper amounts and the resultant mixture is tested with a universal indicator, it turns green. What is the nature of the salt formed? Justify your answer.
When solutions X (acidic) and Y (basic) are mixed, they neutralize each other. The result of this neutralization is a salt and water, and the pH of the resultant mixture turns neutral, as indicated by the green color of the universal indicator. A green color indicates a pH around 7, which is characteristic of a neutral solution.
The salt formed in this case is a neutral salt because the acid and base neutralize each other. The resultant mixture does not exhibit any acidic or basic properties, confirming that the salt formed is neutral.
Therefore, the nature of the salt formed is neutral, as it results from the complete neutralization of an acid and a base.