the phenolphthalein indicator is used to monitor the equilibrium shifts of the ammonia/ammonium ion system. the phenolphthalein equilibrium established with water is hph(aq)(colorless) + h2o (l) h3o+ (aq) + ph-(aq)(pink or red). you compared the color of the solutions in three test tubes that initially contained 3 ml of 0.1 m ammonium hydroxide and a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator. in the first test tube, you added 1 m nh4cl dropwise. what color change was observed and what did this color change indicate about the shift in the phenolphthalein equilibrium?