Name: Ami, S; Cortado, K; Malonosan, J Date Submitted: November 9, 2018

Experiment 5
Determination of pH of Common Solutions Using pH Paper and pH meter

I. Data and Results

Sample pH using pH meter pH using pH paper

Distilled water 4.73 5.5
Yakult 3.56 4
Milk 6.47 6.5
Vinegar 2.83 2
Coke 2.67 2.5
Sea water 8.01 8
Tap water 7.53 7
Calamansi juice 2.62 2
Bottled Water 5.56 6

II. Discussion

pH is the measurement of hydrogen ions concentration, in an aqueous solution

and it indicates the alkalinity, how acidic, neutral or basic a solution is. Compound’s
solubility can be inferred through pH instrument. And pH has become the most
frequently measured electrochemical variable. (Lucena, 2016). There are various
ways on how to read the pH of a solution. In this experiment, pH meter and pH paper
was used. pH meter is an electronic device that consists of voltmeter and reference
electrode. It requires calibration before usage. pH paper is treated with chemical
indicator that changes color when dipped in the solution in the presence of hydrogen
or hydroxide. This is because of the chemical Flavin.
Calibrating the pH meter is essential in order to obtain accurate pH reading.
This experiment utilized three buffer solutions (pH 4, 7, and 10). It is a must to use
freshly dispensed and CO2-free buffer for calibration to avoid any error. Calibration
requires drying the probe between sample readings in order to get the exact
measurement. This is usually done by blotting the probe dry on tissue paper. After
 calibration, the accuracy of the meter can be tested by testing the pH meter of
standard buffer solution, such as pH buffer 4. (McGlynn, 2016)
The results showed that the pH reading in both pH meter and pH meter of
different samples are the same. Samples like vinegar (pH meter = 2.83 & pH paper =
2), coke (pH meter = 2.67 & pH paper = 2.5) and ), calamansi juice (pH meter = 2.62
& pH paper = 2) are very acidic, distilled water (pH meter = 4.73 & pH paper = 5.5),
yakult (pH meter = 3.56 & pH paper = 4), and bottled water (pH meter = 5.56 & pH
paper = 6) are acidic, sea water (pH meter = 8.01 & pH paper = 8) is basic, tap water
(pH meter = 7.53 & pH paper = 7) is neutral and milk (pH meter = 6.47 & pH paper =
6.5) is not that acidic but somehow neutral.
pH meter indicates the exact amount of pH in different solutions which can
read up to two decimal places while in using pH paper, students can only infer the
readings through finding where color of the dipped pH meter coincides with the
interpretation which is usually found on the back of the pH paper package.

III. Conclusion

The results showed that carbonated drinks, and most solutions that are sour in
flavor are very acidic; modified water such as bottled and distilled water and yakult
are acidic which is not good for the body if too much was consumed since drinking
water must be in a neutral pH. Sea water is basic, tap water is neutral and milk is
acidic but near to becoming neutral. pH meter gives more accurate reading of the pH
of different solution since it can read up to two decimal places, however it needs
buffer solutions to ensure that the value would be right and costs higher than the pH
paper. On the other side, pH paper can also give a definite reading but it is limited to
visual results only which is difficult for color blind people. However, it is affordable
and portable.
IV. References

McGlynn, W. 2016. Choosing and using a ph meter for food products.

Retrieved from http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Rendition-
12119/FAPC-117web.pdf.
Lucena, S. 2016. The electronic detail of a digitial ph meter. Retrieved
from http://www.imeko.org/publications/wc-2006/PWC-2006-TC19-022u.pdf.