Viva Questions and Answers

Determination of the unknown concentration of HCl using pH meter

Prepared by:
Dr. Ramya C.

1. What is meant by pH? Mention the formula for its determination?

pH is defined as an estimate of hydrogen ion activity of a solution, or simply how acidic (a

majority of hydrogen ions) or basic (a majority of hydroxyl ions) the solution is. This
characteristic is measured on a scale of 0-14, with 0 the most acidic and 14 the most basic. A pH
of 7 is neutral, i.e. neither acidic nor basic.

pH = -log [H+]

2. What is a pH meter? What are the electrodes in use?

A pH meter is a scientific instrument that measures the hydrogen-ion activity in water

based solutions, indicating its acidity or alkalinity expressed as pH.

pH meter consists of two electrodes:

(1). A glass electrode which is an ion-selective glass bulb permeable to H+ ions but not to
other ions.

(2). Reference electrode which is often a Calomel electrode (consists of Hg, Hg2Cl2, KCl)
which supplies a constant potential (0.24 V).

Quite often the reference and indicator electrodes are combined into one probe called a
combination electrode as shown in the third Figure.
.

Dr. Ramya Chulliyil MIT-ADT University Pune

3. Mention the working of pH meter?

The glass electrode/ bulb is permeable to H+ ions but not to other ions. If the solution into
which the electrode is placed is more concentrated than the one inside the glass bulb, H+ ions
will move out of the bulb. The solution inside the bulb will then have excess H+ ions. This
potential difference between inside and outside of the glass membrane can be measured with
respect to the reference voltage and is displayed as a pH value by the meter, with higher
voltages signaling acidic pH levels and lower voltages signaling basic.

4. Draw the curve of pH vs (volume of base added) for a strong acid vs strong base
titration with equivalence point?

Figure: Equivalence point is at pH 7

5. What is meant by equivalence point? How it differs from the end point of titration?
Equivalence point is the point on a pH titration curve when the exact quantities of solution (in
the conical flask) and titrant (in the burette) JUST reacted together and the reaction is complete
and there are no “left overs”.

Or in other words, in an acid-base titration, the amount of base added is JUST enough to
completely neutralize the acid solution.

End-point is a point where the indicator changes its colour in a titration. Ideally if the
conditions and indicator are chosen correctly, the two points coincide. However if the indicator
is not chosen correctly they may not be the same and the titration will have an error - probably
significant.

Dr. Ramya Chulliyil MIT-ADT University Pune

For example if we choose Phenolphthalein indicator for the acid base titration, till p H 8.2,
solution would be colourless. But it shows pink colour only when the pH of the solution crosses
the equivalence point (pH 7). Thus we would miss the exact equivalence point in this titration.
6. What is the concentration of the NaOH solution provided?
0.1 N solution

7. Explain the calibration procedure of the pH meter?

a. Select the pH Mode and set the temperature control knob to 25°C.

b. Rinse the electrode with deionized water and blot dry using a piece of tissue. Place the
electrode in the solution of pH 7 buffer, allow the display to stabilize and then, set the display to
read 7 by adjusting cal 1. Remove the electrode from the buffer.

c. Rinse the electrode with deionized water and blot dry using a piece of tissue.

d. Place the electrode in the solution of pH 4 buffer, allow the display to stabilize and, then, set
the display to read 4 by adjusting cal 2. Remove the electrode from the buffer.

e. Rinse the electrode with deionized water and blot dry using a piece of tissue

8. Mention the equation used in the calculation part?

N1VI = N2V2
9. What is the exact volume of NaOH required to completely neutralize the HCl pipetted
out (from the pH curve)?

It is the volume of NaOH at equivalence point (pH 7).

Dr. Ramya Chulliyil MIT-ADT University Pune