Question

Litmus paper is made from water-soluble dyes which are extracted from lichens. This paper is used as an acid-base indicator. Which of these common household substances would turn blue litmus paper red? A) ammonia B) vinegar C) baking soda D) distilled water

Answer 1

The answer is B- Vinegar.

Answer 2

Answer: B) vinegar

Step-by-step explanation: Acids are those substances which when dissolved in water give
`H^+` ions. They turn blue litmus red.

Bases are those substances which when dissolved in water give
`OH^-` ions. They turn red litmus blue.

Ammonia is a base which when dissolved in water forms ammonium hydroxide and gives
`OH^-` ions and turns red litmus blue.

`NH_4OH\rightarrow NH_4^++OH^-`

Vinegar is acetic acid and thus gives
`H^+` ions and turn blue litmus red.

`CH_3COOH\rightarrow CH_3COO^-+H^+`

Baking soda is a basic salt
`NaHCO_3` which turns red litmus blue.

Distilled water
`H_2O` is neutral which shows no color change with red or blue litmus.