Final answer:
The chemical equation for the dissociation of CH₃COOH in water is CH₃COOH(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ H₃O⁺(aq) + CH₃COO⁻(aq). The color observed in a solution containing methyl orange is due to the equilibrium between the nonionized red form and the ionized yellow form of the indicator.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical equation for the dissociation of CH₃COOH (acetic acid) in water is:
CH₃COOH(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ H₃O⁺(aq) + CH₃COO⁻(aq)
This equation shows that acetic acid dissociates into hydronium ion (H₃O⁺) and acetate ion (CH₃COO⁻) in water. The reaction is reversible, indicating that it can go in both directions.
When a solution of methyl orange, an acid-base indicator, is added, it changes color in response to the equilibrium between the nonionized red form (HIn) and the ionized yellow form (In¯). Adding acid shifts the equilibrium towards the nonionized red form, while adding base shifts it towards the ionized yellow form. This behavior is in accordance with Le Chatelier's principle.