Question

There are two solutions A and B. Solution A turns red litmus blue whereas solution B turns blue litmus red. Both the solutions are mixed to give a new solution C.C will change:
A.Blue litmus red
B.Red litmus blue
C.No change in colour
D.May be A (or) B

Answer 1

Hint: We can predict the nature of solution C by knowing the chemical nature of solutions A and B. The chemical nature of the solutions A and B would be either acidic (or) basic.

Complete step by step answer:
In our daily life, we use natural acids like curd, lemon juice, vinegar and orange juice. These substances contain sour taste and their chemical nature is acidic.
Substances like baking soda have no sour taste whereas they feel bitter. It feels soapy and because of this nature they are known as bases. We can say that the chemical nature of soapy and bitter substances is basic.
We can say indicators are substances that are used to determine the chemical nature (acidic (or) basic) of solution/substance. When we add them to a solution comprising an acidic (or) basic nature, the indicators change their colour.
The natural indicator litmus is extracted from lichens. Blue litmus turns red in acids and in base, red changes to blue.
From the question, we can understand that solution A turns red litmus blue, so it must be basic. Solution B turns blue litmus red, so it must be acidic.
If A is strongly basic and B is a weak acid, then the mixture of A and B could be basic.
If B is a weak base and B is a strong acid, then the mixture of A and B could be acidic.
Solution C would be changed to either acidic (or) basic.

Therefore, the option D is correct.

Note:
We must remember that the litmus looks in purple colour in distilled water. We can use it in the form of solution (or) as strips of paper known as litmus paper. Solution such as detergent solution, solution of soap, common salt, shampoo, solution of sugar, solution of baking soda are mixed with water, we can observe that these solutions do not exhibit any colour change in red (or) blue litmus. Such solutions are called neutral solutions and they are neither acidic (nor) basic.