pH measurement and importance of it

Isabel Sofia Corredor Mendez

8-28
Glossary

I) What is an electrodo?

II) What is Buffer solution?

III) What do acidity and basicity in chemical terms means?

IV) Why pH is important in food industry, agriculture and

pharmacology, answer with examples?

V) Why do measure the Ph of the supernatant?

VI) Why does pH soil is lightly acid?

I) What is an electrode?
An electrode is a device used to measure electrical potentials and currents in a wide variety of
applications, including pH measurement and determination of the chemical composition of a
solution. In the context of pH measurement, electrodes are essential for the accurate
determination of the pH of a solution, including the measurement of soil pH. In general, an
electrode consists of two main parts: a working electrode and a reference electrode. The working
electrode is the electrode that is in direct contact with the solution to be measured and, therefore,
is the one used to measure the electrical potential of the solution. The reference electrode, on the
other hand, is an electrode that is used as a reference point for the working electrode and ensures
that the measurement is accurate and reliable. In pH measurement, the working electrode is
coated with a pH-sensitive material, such as glass or plastic, and is immersed in the solution to be
measured. The reference electrode, on the other hand, is in contact with a buffer solution that has
a known, stable pH. By measuring the potential difference between the working electrode and the
reference electrode, the pH of the solution in which the working electrode is located can be
determined. In soil measurement, the electrodes are used to determine the pH of the soil, which is
an important indicator of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil and can have a major impact on the
health of the plants growing in that soil. Soil pH electrodes are often similar in structure to
standard pH electrodes, but are designed to be more robust and resistant to soil conditions. To
measure soil pH with a pH electrode, the working electrode is immersed in a soil sample diluted in
water or a suitable buffer solution. The reference electrode is immersed in a buffer solution with a
known, stable pH. By measuring the potential difference between the working electrode and the
reference electrode, the pH of the soil can be determined. In summary, an electrode is a device
used to measure electrical potentials and currents in a wide variety of applications. In pH and soil
measurement, working electrodes are immersed in a solution or sample and measure the
potential difference between the working electrode and the reference electrode to determine the
pH of the solution or soil. The accuracy and reliability of these measurements are highly
dependent on the quality of the electrodes used and the proper calibration of the electrodes.
II) What is Buffer solution?
A buffer solution is a type of solution that can resist changes in pH when small amounts of acid or
base are added. Buffer solutions are important in many chemical and biological processes,
including the measurement of pH. A buffer solution typically consists of a weak acid and its
corresponding conjugate base or a weak base and its corresponding conjugate acid. The chemical
compounds present in a buffer solution depend on the specific buffer system being used. For
example, the most common buffer system used in biological applications is the phosphate buffer
system, which consists of the weak acid H2PO4- and its conjugate base HPO42-. Other commonly
used buffer systems include the acetate buffer system (CH3COOH/CH3COO-) and the bicarbonate
buffer system (H2CO3/HCO3-). Buffer solutions are used for measuring the pH because they resist
changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. This is because the weak acid and its
corresponding conjugate base or weak base and its corresponding conjugate acid in the buffer
solution can react with the added acid or base to minimize changes in pH. For example, when a
small amount of acid is added to a buffer solution containing a weak acid and its conjugate base,
the weak acid will react with the added acid to form its conjugate base, thereby preventing a large
decrease in pH. Similarly, when a small amount of base is added to a buffer solution containing a
weak base and its conjugate acid, the weak base will react with the added base to form its
conjugate acid, thereby preventing a large increase in pH. To measure the pH of a solution using a
buffer solution, the pH of the buffer solution is first measured using a pH meter or pH indicator. A
small amount of the solution to be measured is then added to the buffer solution, and the
resulting pH is measured. Because the buffer solution resists changes in pH, the pH of the solution
being measured will be similar to the pH of the buffer solution. This allows for accurate and
precise pH measurements. In summary, a buffer solution is a type of solution that can resist
changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. Buffer solutions typically consist of a
weak acid and its corresponding conjugate base or a weak base and its corresponding conjugate
acid. Buffer solutions are important for measuring pH because they allow for accurate and precise
pH measurements by resisting changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added to the
solution being measured.
III) What do acidity and basicity in chemical terms means?
In chemical terms, acidity and basicity refer to the ability of a substance to donate or accept
protons (H+ ions) in a chemical reaction. Acids are substances that can donate protons, while
bases are substances that can accept protons. The strength of an acid or a base is determined by
its dissociation constant, which is a measure of how readily the substance donates or accepts
protons. Strong acids have a high dissociation constant and easily donate protons, while weak
acids have a low dissociation constant and donate protons less readily. Similarly, strong bases have
a high dissociation constant and readily accept protons, while weak bases have a low dissociation
constant and accept protons less readily. Acidity and basicity are important concepts in many
chemical reactions. For example, in the reaction between an acid and a base, the acid donates a
proton to the base, forming a salt and water. This is known as an acid-base neutralization reaction.
The pH scale is used to measure the acidity or basicity of a solution, with a pH of 7 being neutral, a
pH below 7 indicating acidity, and a pH above 7 indicating basicity. In addition to their role in acid-
base reactions, acids and bases play important roles in many other chemical reactions and
processes. For example, acids are often used as catalysts in chemical reactions, while bases are
used as reagents in many organic synthesis reactions. In summary, acidity and basicity in chemical
terms refer to the ability of a substance to donate or accept protons in a chemical reaction. The
strength of an acid or a base is determined by its dissociation constant, and the pH scale is used to
measure the acidity or basicity of a solution. Acids and bases play important roles in many
chemical reactions and processes.
IV) Why pH is important in food industry, agriculture and pharmacology, answer with
examples?
pH is an important factor in the food industry as it can affect the taste, texture, and safety of food
products. pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, and it is important to control the
pH of food products to ensure their quality and safety. One reason why pH is important in the food
industry is because it can affect the taste of food products. For example, the sour taste of citrus
fruits is due to their low pH, which is around 2-3.5. Similarly, the taste of vinegar is due to its low
pH, which is around 2.4-3.4. If the pH of a food product is too low or too high, it can affect the
taste and overall quality of the product. In addition to affecting the taste of food products, pH can
also affect the texture of certain foods. For example, the texture of cheese is affected by the pH of
the milk used to make it. If the pH of the milk is too high or too low, it can affect the coagulation of
the milk proteins and result in a cheese with a different texture. Another important reason why pH
is important in the food industry is because it can affect the safety of food products. Some
foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli, can grow and thrive in foods with a neutral
pH (around 7) or slightly acidic pH (below 4.6). Therefore, controlling the pH of food products is an
important part of ensuring their safety and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.
Furthermore, pH can affect the shelf life of food products. For example, acidic foods such as
pickles and sauerkraut have a longer shelf life because the low pH of the product inhibits the
growth of spoilage bacteria. Similarly, many canned foods have a low pH to ensure their long-term
stability and safety. pH is an important factor in agriculture as it can affect the growth, health, and
productivity of plants. Soil pH is particularly important in agriculture as it can affect the availability
of nutrients to plants, the activity of soil microorganisms, and the solubility of toxic metals in the
soil. One reason why pH is important in agriculture is because it affects the availability of nutrients
to plants. Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential for plant growth,
and their availability to plants is affected by the pH of the soil. For example, when the pH of the
soil is too low (acidic), nutrients such as phosphorus and calcium become less available to plants,
which can result in stunted growth and poor yields. On the other hand, when the pH of the soil is
too high (alkaline), nutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc become less available to plants,
which can also result in stunted growth and poor yields. In addition to affecting nutrient
availability, soil pH can also affect the activity of soil microorganisms. Soil microorganisms play an
important role in soil health, as they are responsible for breaking down organic matter, cycling
nutrients, and suppressing plant pathogens. However, the activity of soil microorganisms is
affected by the pH of the soil. For example, many soil microorganisms prefer a slightly acidic pH,
and their activity can be inhibited in soils that are too acidic or too alkaline. Another important
reason why pH is important in agriculture is because it can affect the solubility of toxic metals in
the soil. Some metals, such as aluminum, manganese, and cadmium, can become more soluble
and toxic to plants at low pH values. This can result in reduced plant growth, yield, and quality, as
well as environmental contamination. Furthermore, pH can affect the efficacy of pesticides and
herbicides used in agriculture. The effectiveness of these chemicals can be affected by the pH of
the soil and water, as they can become more or less soluble and available to plants at different pH
values. pH is an important factor in pharmacology as it can affect the solubility, stability, and
efficacy of drugs. The pH of the environment in which drugs are administered or metabolized can
impact their bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. One reason why pH is
important in pharmacology is because it can affect the solubility of drugs. The solubility of a drug
can affect its absorption, distribution, and elimination in the body. Many drugs are weak acids or
bases, and their solubility can be influenced by the pH of the environment. For example, weakly
acidic drugs are more soluble in alkaline environments, while weakly basic drugs are more soluble
in acidic environments. This phenomenon is known as the pH-partition hypothesis. In addition to
affecting drug solubility, pH can also impact drug stability. Some drugs are sensitive to pH changes,
and can undergo hydrolysis or oxidation at certain pH values. For example, many proteins and
peptides are sensitive to acidic or alkaline pH, and can be denatured or degraded at extreme pH
values. Therefore, the pH of the formulation or storage medium can impact the stability and shelf-
life of drugs. Another important reason why pH is important in pharmacology is because it can
affect drug efficacy. The pH of the body fluids can influence the degree of ionization of drugs,
which can affect their ability to bind to receptors or interact with enzymes. For example, many
drugs that target the central nervous system must cross the blood-brain barrier, which is a highly
regulated and pH-dependent process. Additionally, some drugs can alter the pH of body fluids,
such as the gastric acid produced by proton-pump inhibitors, which can affect the absorption and
efficacy of other drugs. Furthermore, pH can influence the toxicity and side effects of drugs. The
pH of the body fluids can impact the degree of ionization of toxic or reactive metabolites, which
can affect their distribution and elimination from the body. For example, aspirin overdose can lead
to metabolic acidosis, which can exacerbate the toxic effects of salicylate on the body.
V) Why do measure the Ph of the supernatant?
Measuring the pH of supernatant is important in a laboratory setting because it can provide
valuable information about the chemical composition of the sample being analyzed. A
supernatant is the liquid layer that sits on top of a solid after centrifugation or settling, and it
can contain various dissolved compounds and ions that can affect the pH of the solution.

Here are some of the reasons why measuring the pH of supernatant is important:

1. Quality control: Measuring the pH of supernatant can be an important step in quality

control procedures for a laboratory. If the pH of the supernatant is not within the expected
range, it could indicate a problem with the sample or the analytical method being used.

2. Chemical reactions: The pH of supernatant can affect the outcome of chemical reactions
that are being performed on the sample. For example, enzymes used in laboratory assays
often have specific pH ranges for optimal activity. Measuring the pH of supernatant can help
ensure that the reaction conditions are optimal.

3. Interpretation of results: Measuring the pH of supernatant can help in the interpretation of

analytical results. Some analytical techniques, such as spectrophotometry or chromatography,
can be affected by pH changes in the sample. Measuring the pH of the supernatant can help
correct for any pH-related effects on the analytical results.

4. Stability of the sample: Measuring the pH of supernatant can also provide information
about the stability of the sample. For example, if the pH of the supernatant changes
significantly over time, it could indicate that the sample is degrading or that the container
holding the sample is not suitable for long-term storage.

Overall, measuring the pH of supernatant can provide important information about the
chemical composition of the sample being analyzed, and it can help ensure that analytical
procedures are performed under optimal conditions. This information can be critical in
laboratory research and quality control procedures.
VI) Why does pH soil is lightly acid?
The pH of soil is typically slightly acidic due to a number of factors that affect the chemical
composition of soil. Soil pH is influenced by the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the soil,
which can be affected by factors such as weathering, leaching, and organic matter content. The
ideal pH range for most plants to grow optimally is between 6 and 7, which is slightly acidic to
neutral.

Here are some of the reasons why soil pH is typically slightly acidic:

1. Weathering: The process of weathering breaks down minerals in rocks, releasing various ions,
including H+ ions. The accumulation of these ions in soil contributes to soil acidity.

2. Leaching: The process of leaching, in which water moves through soil and carries minerals and
ions with it, can also contribute to soil acidity. As water moves through soil, it can carry away basic
cations such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, leaving behind more acidic H+ ions.

3. Organic matter: Organic matter in soil, such as decaying plant and animal materials, can release
organic acids that can contribute to soil acidity.

4. Nitrogen fertilizers: Nitrogen fertilizers can also contribute to soil acidity, as they can increase
the production of H+ ions as they break down in the soil.

It is important to maintain the proper pH range in soil for optimal plant growth and nutrient
uptake. If soil is too acidic, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies, as some essential nutrients become
less available to plants at lower pH levels. If soil is too alkaline, it can lead to the accumulation of
toxic levels of certain nutrients. Therefore, maintaining the proper pH range in soil is critical for
ensuring healthy plant growth and maximum crop yields.