A substance that reveals, through characteristic color changes, the degree of acidity or basicity of solutions. Indicators are weak organic acids or bases which exist in more than one structural form (tautomers) of which at least one form is colored. Intense color is desirable so that very little indicator is needed; the indicator itself will thus not affect the acidity of the solution.
Acid-base indicators are commonly employed to mark the end of an acid-base titration or to measure the existing pH of a solution. Care must be used to compare colors only within the indicator range. A color comparator may also be used, employing standard color filters instead of buffer solutions.
The indicator range is the pH interval of color change of the indicator. In this range there is competition between indicator and added base for the available protons; the color change, for example, yellow to red, is gradual rather than instantaneous. Observers may, therefore, differ in selecting the precise point of change.
