Litmus paper is a universal indicator for determining the degree of acidity and alkalinity of the medium

The litmus paper is chemically treated with litmus flavor Paper. It is used to determine the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the medium. Before paper was saturated with litmus, it was used separately as an indicator and chemical reagent. For the first time, a litmus as an indicator was used by the Spanish alchemist Arnald de Vilanova in about 1300g. This substance is of natural origin, it is obtained from lichens.

A litmus paper is an acid-base indicator, which turns red in an acidic environment , and blue in an alkaline one. Depending on the intensity of the color, using a special scale, determine the pH of the medium. The hydrogen index or pH is a quantitative measure of the determination of the ratio of H + and OH- ions in water, which were formed upon the dissociation of water. At room temperature in a neutral solution pH = 7, at an acidic pH <7, an alkaline pH> 7.

Litmus paper in practice is used in a fairly easy way: you need to take it for one End and put in a liquid medium another. Do not deepen the paper into the liquid. The result appears immediately: the edge dropped on Wednesday either changes its color or it does not. Then this paper is compared with the standard values, which are plotted in the form of a scale on the tube or packaging in which the indicator was placed. Litmus paper is considered a universal indicator, because With the help of it it is possible to determine the degree and acidity, and alkalinity of the medium.

This indicator can be made at home, while spending a minimum of funds and time. To do this, you need red, blue or violet cabbage, filter or plain white paper. Cabbage should be rubbed on a fine grater, boil for 30-35 minutes, and then gently strain and wring out. Cabbage itself will not be needed later, but in the resultant broth you need to put strips cut from paper. After the paper is impregnated, take it out and dry it. Keep this paper in a dry container, away from sunlight. When using this homemade indicator, it must be taken into account that it gives a slightly larger measurement error than the factory one.

Litmus paper due to ease of use and versatility in The determination of pH has found wide application not only during chemical experiments in educational institutions and clinical laboratories, but also at home. So, any person with ease, using litmus paper, can determine the hydrogen index of any biological fluid, solutions, mixtures - saliva, urine, breast milk, water, soap, etc. The parameters of pH-biological fluids must be independently controlled in certain diseases. Also litmus paper is actively used by flower growers at home to determine the degree of acidity and alkalinity of the soil. You can use it to determine the pH of cosmetic products, in particular those used for skin care, because Ideally they should be neutral.