Lakmuspaperi

Lakmuspaperi is a tool used to test the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. It consists of a piece of paper that has been treated with a mixture of natural dyes derived from lichens, most commonly Roccella tinctoria. These dyes are pH-sensitive, meaning their color changes depending on the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

When a piece of lakmuspaperi is dipped into a liquid, it will undergo a color change. If the liquid is acidic, the lakmuspaperi will turn red. If the liquid is alkaline (or basic), it will turn blue. If the liquid is neutral, the paper will remain its original purple or violet color. This simple color change allows for a quick and easy qualitative assessment of a substance's pH.

Lakmuspaperi is widely used in various fields, including chemistry education, laboratories, and even in household applications. It is a convenient and inexpensive way to determine whether a substance is an acid or a base, although it does not provide a precise pH measurement like a pH meter or a more detailed pH scale. The accuracy of lakmuspaperi can be affected by the concentration of the substance being tested and the presence of other substances that might interfere with the dye's reaction. It is important to note that "lakmuspaperi" is the Finnish word for litmus paper.