Each electrode has an ion-selective membrane that will interact with the

appropriate ion in the reacting sample. The membrane is an ion exchanger that
reacts with ionic charges to change the membrane potential, so that the potential
between the liquid, the sample and the membrane can be detected.

The two potential differences detected on either side of the membrane will produce
a current. The sample, reference electrode, and reference electrode solution
constitute one side of the “ loop ”, the membrane, internal electrode solution, and
internal electrode are the other side.

The difference in ion concentration between the internal electrode solution and the
sample will generate electrochemical voltages on both sides of the working
electrode membrane. Voltage is directed to the amplifier via the highly conductive
internal electrodes and a reference electrode is also directed to the location of
the amplifier.

By detecting one of the known, standard solutions of ion concentrations obtain a

calibration curve to detect the concentration of ions in the sample.