OBJECT ; Determination of pH

The pH of aqueous solutions can be measured with

1. A color-changing indicator(Colorimetric Method)

2. A glass electrode and a pH meter (Electrometric )

1. A color-changing indicator (Colorimetric Method)

a. By using indicator
b. By using litmus paper

By using indicator
Principle;

pH indicators are weak acids or weak bases that exist as natural dyes and indicate the
concentration of H+ (H3O+) ions in a solution via color change.
• Indicators are

• Thymol blue range of pH 1.2-2.8

• Methyl red 4.3-6.1

• Phenol red 6.7-8.3

• Phenolphthalein 9.3-10

• In acidic medium Thymol blue and Methyl red indicate red colour and in basic
medium they show yellow colour.

• Phenol red shows opposite results while phenolphthalein indicate red colour with
base and remain colour less with acid.

By using litmus paper

Principle
Litmus paper is red below a pH of 4.5 and blue above a pH of 8.3. If the paper turns
purple, this indicates the pH is near neutral. Red paper that does not change color
indicates the sample is an acid.
 2. A glass electrode and a pH meter (Electrometric
principle
pH meter, electric device used to measure hydrogen-ion activity (acidity or
alkalinity) in solution. The pH meter measures the difference in electrical potential
between a pH electrode and a reference electrode, and so the pH meter is sometimes
referred to as a "potentiometric pH meter".

The difference in electrical potential relates to the acidity or pH of the solution.it is

more reliable. pH meters use a combination probe, constructed with the glass
electrode and the reference electrode contained within a single probe.

In general there are three major categories of pH meters.

1. Benchtop pH meters are often used in laboratories and are used to measure
samples which are brought to the pH meter for analysis.
2. Portable, or field pH meters, are handheld pH meters that are used to take the pH
of a sample in a field or production site.
3. In-line or in situ pH meters, also called pH analyzers, are used to measure pH
continuously in a process, and can stand-alone, or be connected to a higher level
information system for process control.