The rapid change of pH near the stoichiometric point of an acid-base titration is the basis of indicator detection. pH of the solution is related to ratio of the concentrations of the conjugate acid (HIn) and base (In-) forms of the indicator by the expression
- [In-][HIn] = pKIn - pH
- [HIn][In-] = pKIn - pH
- [HIn][In-] = pH - pKIn
- [In-][HIn] = pH - pKIn
Answer
(4) [In-][HIn] = pH - pKIn
Solution
The indicator is a weak acid: HIn H+ + In-
KIn = [H+][In-][HIn]
⇒ [H+] = KIn [HIn][In-]
Taking - on both sides:
pH = pKIn + [In-][HIn]
∴ [In-][HIn] = pH - pKIn
Answer: (4)