Determination of PH
Determination of PH
Aim: To determine the pH of the given sample water sample using pH paper and pH
electrode.
Materials Required: Buffer solutions of pH 4.0 and pH 7.0, beaker, pH meter, distilled
water, pH paper.
Theory: The term pH refers to the measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution and
defined as the negative log of [H+] ions concentration in water. The values of pH 0 to a little
less than 7 are termed as acidic and the values of pH a little above 7 to 14 are termed as basic.
When the concentration of H+ and [OH-] ions are equal then it is termed as neutral pH. pH of
water is temperature dependant.
pH + pOH = 14
(at 25o c)
pH + pOH = 15
(at 0o c)
pH + pOH = 13
(at 60o c)
Rainwater is acidic due mainly to the presence of carbonic acid, a common culprit for
lowering the pH of water. Carbonic acid forms when carbon dioxide gas reacts with water
molecules in the atmosphere. Carbonic acid lowers the pH of rainwater by increasing the [H +]
concentration.
Procedure:
A) Using pH paper
1.
2.
3.
4.
Place the clean and dry test tubes in the test tube rack.
Pour sample water in each tube.
Place strips of pH paper on the dry glazed white tile.
Suck the solution from each test tube using a clean dropper and transfer it to the
respective pH paper.
5. Note down the colour change.
6. Compare the colour change in the pH paper with the standard pH-colour chart.
CALIBRATION OF ELECTRODE
1. Dip the combined electrode in a 7 pH buffer solution.
2. Set the TEMPERATURE C at to the temperature of the selected buffer
solution.
3. Set the function selector switch to pH position and adjust CALIBRATE
control until the meter displays the precise pH value of the buffer solution.
4. Now set the Function Selector Switch to STAND BY.
5. Remove the electrode from the buffer solution, wash with distilled water.
6. Dip the combined electrode into another buffer solution (say 4 pH value).
pH MASUREMENTS
1. Dip the combined electrode in a suitable buffer solution.
2. Set the "TEMPERATURE C Control to the buffer solution Temperature.
3. Set the Function Selector Switch to the pH position and adjust the
CALIBRATE control until the meter displays the pH value of the buffer
solution.
4. Return the function Selector Switch to the STANDBY position. It is a good
practice to do this between measurements.
5. Remove the electrode from the buffer solutions wash with distilled water, and
immerse in the solution under test.
6. Set the TEMPERATURE C Control to the temperature of the test solution.
7. Set the function selector switch to the pH position. The meter wilt display pH
value
of
the
test
solution.