I am doing a practical in lab, in which HCl is to be evolved. I found that when blue litmus is near the evolved gas, it doesn't turn red. But, when litmus is dipped in water and then brought near the HCl gas it does change to red. Why is this happening?
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3$\begingroup$ Dry $\ce{HCl}$ gas doesnt furnish $\ce{H+}$ ions. Moist $\ce{HCl}$ however, can. $\endgroup$– Pritt says Reinstate MonicaCommented Apr 27, 2017 at 14:47
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1$\begingroup$ Also see: chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/2838/… $\endgroup$– Berry HolmesCommented Apr 27, 2017 at 18:40
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1 Answer
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This is because gaseous HCl does not dissociate to give up protons and chloride ions. But, in aqueous solutions HCl does dissociate and exist in ionic form:
$$\ce{H2O(l) + HCl(aq) -> H3O+ (aq) + Cl−(aq)}$$
Thus it acts as a typical Brønsted acid (proton donor) in an aqueous environment. In this case, water is gaining a proton $\ce{(H+)}$, so it is a base, while HCl is giving one away, so it is an acid.
Therefore it is able to turn the blue litmus paper red (a behaviour typical of acids).
For related topic please see: How does the litmus pH indicator work? as suggested above in comments.
answered Apr 27, 2017 at 14:52