Use of pH Meter and pH Paper


What is pH?

Water is a key ingredient in all life. Cells are 70 to 95% water. About 75% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Water is the only common substance existing naturally in all three forms: solid, liquid, gas.

tetrahedron water

The shape of a water molecule is a tetrahedron. Oxygen has six valence electrons and two “holes,” thus can bond with two hydrogens. Therefore, the chemical formula for water is H2O. Oxygen’s other four valence electrons, in two pairs, are not bonded to any other atoms, thus these are referred to as unshared pairs of electrons. Oxygen shares electrons with hydrogen, but pulls just a little harder on the electrons. The electrons are just a little closer to the oxygen than the hydrogens, so this is called a polar covalent bond.

Note that even though the molecule as a whole is electrically neutral (the + and – charges balance), the ends of the molecule where the hydrogen nuclei are (which contain only a proton) have a sort-of positive charge, and the ends of the molecule by the unshared pairs of electrons are sort-of negative. The sort-of positive ends on one water molecule are attracted to the sort-of negative ends on another water molecule. This is called hydrogen bonding. Actually, hydrogen bonding can happen with other molecules besides water.

hydronium hydroxide Even in plain, distilled water, because of the hydrogen bonding, sometimes one of the hydrogen protons from one water molecule “jumps over” to one of the pairs of unshared electrons in another water molecule (leaving its electron behind). Thus it can be said that the first water molecule has “dissociated,” and ions of H3O+ (hydronium ion) and OH– (hydroxide ion) are formed. This reaction would be written as
2H2O → H3O+ + OH–. Chemists have found that in one liter of pure, distilled water, there will be 0.0000001 M each of H3O+ (often written as H+) and of OH– present.

If other substances are added to water, the concentrations of hydrogen (hydronium) and hydroxide ions (notated as [H+] and [OH–]) may change. Thus, various solutions have varying concentrations of hydrogen ion, H+, and hydroxide ion, OH–. However, pH is always based on the hydrogen ion concentration, [H+]. If [H+] is greater than 0.0000001 M, (for example, 0.0001 M or 10–4 so pH = 4), that solution is an acid, and if [H+] is less than 0.0000001 M, (like 0.0000000001 M or 10–10 so pH = 10) the solution is a base.

Rather than having to write out all those zeros, chemists came up with the concept of pH as a shorthand way to keep track of how much H3O+ is present in a solution. First, the 0.0000001 M (in the case of plain water) is converted to scientific notation, so becomes 1 × 10–7. Next the exponent or logarithm of that number is found — the logarithm of 1 × 10–7 is simply –7. Then, for convenience, chemists have defined pH as the negative logarithm because most of the H+ concentrations with which they deal are less than one (for example, 0.1 M, 0.01 M, etc.).and it’s easier if all the numbers are positive (whereas the logarithms all are negative). Thus, in this case, the negative (–) sign is removed, resulting in a positive 7. This, then, is the basis of pH units. “pH” is defined as, is equal to, the negative logarithm of the hydrogen (hydronium) ion concentration which can be expressed mathematically as pH = –log[H+]. (“[ ]” means “the concentration of”). This means that if a solution is an acid, the pH is less than 7 and if it’s a base, the pH will be greater than 7. Note that because this is a logarithmic scale, a change of one pH unit represents a 10× change in H+ concentration. Thus, going from pH 1 to pH 2 is going from an H+ concentration of 0.1 M to 0.01 M, and this could have a profound effect in an organism’s body.

Chemists figured out that [H+] × [OH–] (concentration of H+, expressed in molarity, times the concentration of OH–) always equals 10–14. Thus, if a solution is neutral, neither acid nor base, we would expect the concentrations of H+ and OH– to be equal, each at 1 × 10–7 M. If the concentration of H+ in a solution increases (an acidic solution), the concentration of OH– automatically decreases proportionately so the product of the two will always be 1 × 10–14, and if the concentration of OH– in a solution increases (an alkaline or basic solution), the concentration of H+ automatically decreases proportionately so the product of the two will still be 1 × 10–14. As a reminder, when working mathematical problems like 0.0000001 × 0.0000001, it is easier to use scientific notation to write it as (1 × 10–7) × (1 × 10–7) and add the exponents to figure out the product, i. e., (–7) + (–7) = –14, so (1 × 10–7) × (1 × 10–7) = 1 × 10–14. You may remember from high school math that logarithms can be used to find answers to multiplication problems, and essentially, this is what we have just done, i. e.,
if (1 × 10–7)  ×  (1 × 10–7)  =  1 × 10–14
then log(1 × 10–7)  +  log(1 × 10–7)  =  log(1 × 10–14)
or (–7)  +  (–7)  =  (–14)


Why Is That Important to Biology?

Many biological processes are dependent on the pH or hydrogen ion, H+, concentration of the surrounding solution. Perhaps most notably, the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, which respectively, harvest/store energy and release energy for use in a cell, depend on a difference in the pH on two sides of a biological membrane in order to function. Acid foods like sauerkraut and pickles do not spoil easily because many pathogenic (pathos = disease, suffering; gen = bear, produce) bacteria do not grow well in acidic conditions. Lemons taste sour and soap tastes bitter to us, in part, because of their respective acidity or basicity (alkalinity). Our digestive tract — mouth, stomach, intestines, etc. — changes the pH of our food from acid to base and back several times as it is digested. Our scalp and skin are normally slightly acidic, and that helps ward off lice and infectious bacteria, whereas people who wash their hair too often and/or shower too often with very hot water and lots of detergents are more prone to lice infestations and/or bacterial skin infections or other skin problems.


Safety Considerations for This Lab

  1. Federal law says that all acids and bases must be neutralized to pH 7 before disposing of them down the drain, and they must be washed down the drain with lots of cold water. With your instructor’s approval, you may mix some of your substances together to neutralize them: for example, soft drink, vinegar, or lemon juice could be mixed with detergent. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD BLEACH (CLOROX) BE MIXED WITH AMMONIA!!! This combination will release toxic chlorine gas. Test your mixture with pH paper to make sure it is pH 7 before disposing of it.
  2. “Clean” window cleaner, etc. obtained from here in the lab may be placed back into the original containers for future use. Any substance that might, potentially, be used as “food” should be disposed of after testing, and should not be returned to its original container.
  3. Please take left-overs of any chemicals you bring in to test back home with you. Because we must inventory and properly dispose of any chemicals here at the College, having “extra” chemical waste lying around causes a lot of extra work for the lab staff.
  4. For this lab, “play it safe” and do not use concentrated, strong acids or bases such as toilet cleaner or drain cleaner. The acidity of vinegar and the alkalinity of soap are different enough to get the point across.
  5. If you are dealing with concentrated acids or bases and/or are working in a situation where some acid or base could splash, you should be wearing goggles. We have goggles available in the lab area, so if you don’t see them around, check with your instructor or the lab manager if you need or want to wear them. Goggles may not be “fashionable,” but they sure beat going blind (or having to endure the eye-wash).
  6. If you get a concentrated acid or base on your skin, immediately rinse the area off with lots of cold water and notify your instructor. Strong bases can be neutralized with vinegar, and strong acids with baking soda. For large spills, notify the lab staff so they can assist with proper clean-up.
  7. Our MSDS books are available in the lab area, and you are welcome to use these at any time to find information on health and safety precautions when working with various chemicals. If time allows, you might try looking up some of the chemicals you’re testing to see if they’re in the books, and if so, what the sheet has to say about it/them.

What Kind of Samples May Be Tested?

You may bring samples to be tested within the following stipulations/guidelines:


Preparation of Samples to Be Tested

  1. Thin liquids may be used “as is” or may be diluted (record how much substance and how much water were mixed). Thick liquids like dish detergent, shampoo, Milk of Magnesia, and possibly yogurt must be diluted with distilled water and thoroughly mixed until “thin” enough to easily rinse off the pH meter electrode. If you do need to dilute something, record this in your notebook because this does, of course, change the H+ concentration.
  2. Items like fruit will need to be squeezed, juiced, or blended (and put through a strainer if needed) to extract the juice.
  3. Solid substances need to be dissolved in dH2O. If needed, a mortar and pestle may be used to crush and grind substances into a powder. When adding water, record exactly how much, either by volume or weight, of your substance and how much water were used. (For example, add about 20 mL of water to 1 g of a sample will give you about a 5% solution. Once again, record your data in your notebook because dilution changes the pH of a solution.
  4. For any liquids or solutions, you may wish to test further the effect of dilution on pH. For example, by measuring 5 mL of your solution in a graduated cylinder, then diluting to 50 mL, you will obtain a 1/10 dilution (which would be expected to change the pH by one unit). Pour the resulting solution into a clean small beaker to determine the pH.
  5. Substances like Tums and Rolaids are buffers, that is they minimized the change in pH from their pre-determined, “normal” value. Thus, if you add acid or base to a solution of one of them, you would not expect the pH to change very much — an interesting experiment to try. They “neutralize” stomach acid because they are at a nearly-neutral pH and do not allow much variation from that point. Looking at it from the “other side,” if you start by measuring the pH of a solution of acid or base, then add an “antacid” to it, you might expect to see the pH become more neutral, closer to pH 7. Thus, it might be of interest to try “before” and “after” readings when adding antacids (Tums, Rolaids) to 0.1 M HCl or other acid.
  6. Make sure you label all beakers of samples as you make them up and dispose of them properly. That way, someone won’t accidentally stick their fingers in something. Besides, a) your mother doesn’t work here, and b) UC’s Health and Safety people get really upset about safety violations.

Use of pH Paper

pH paper There are different ways of measuring the pH of a solution. The first is with pH paper. These paper strips have been impregnated with special dyes that change color as the pH changes. Different dyes are sensitive to (change color at) different pH ranges. Most indicator papers have a mixture of dyes so that they are sensitive to a wider pH range. Note that pH paper is not the same as litmus paper   litmus paper only changes pink-purple to indicate acids vs. bases.

Tear no more than 5 cm (2 in) of paper off the roll — be conservative and don’t take more than what you need   trying not to let the end go inside the case. Dip about 2 cm (½ to ¾ in) into the fluid to be tested. Compare the color with the chart on the roll. Check both sides of the color chart because there may be some slight variation in your test sample. Be careful not to get sample on your fingers, especially if it’s something caustic. Record the pH in your notebook. Optionally, when dry, your pH paper strips may be fastened into your notebook as well. Otherwise, dispose of them in the trash, and do not leave them on the lab table or the floor.


The Parts of the pH Meter

    pH meter
  1. Here is an overall photo of one of our pH meters. On the left side of the front of the pH meter is the scale or face on which you read the pH of the substance being tested. On the upper right is the temperature knob, in the middle right is the standardize knob, and on the lower right is the slope knob. In the center of the upper back of the pH meter is a toggle switch labeled “pH” and “sta.by.” The wires from a separate combination electrode are plugged into the pH meter, and the electrode, itself, is soaking in a beaker of pH 7.00 buffer solution.
    2. pH meter scale
  2. The face or scale is marked from pH 0 to 14. Note that there are four subdivisions between each pH unit, and thus each of those marks would represent 0.2 of a pH unit. Thus, for example, a pH of 4.30 would be exactly in the middle of the white space between the 4.20 and 4.40 marks, and if the needle would be ¼ of the way between the 4.20 and 4.40 marks, that would correspond to a pH of 4.25. You must read the pH meter to two decimal places.
    3. looking straight at pH meter needle
  3. Notice the mirror under the numbers. It is there to help you avoid parallax error and insure that you are looking straight at the needle when reading the meter. If you are looking straight at the needle, you will not be able to see its reflection in the mirror.
    4. looking at at pH meter needle with parallax error
  4. However, if you are looking at the needle from an angle, you will be able to also see its reflection, and that is an indication that the reading you appear to be viewing is incorrect.
    5. pH meter temperature knob
  5. The temperature knob must be set to room temperature before standardizing the machine or obtaining pH readings (Ideally, if you are trying to determine the pH of a solution that is a lot hotter or colder than room temperature, the machine should be adjusted to the temperature of the solution being tested). Failure to correctly compensate for temperature will result in incorrect data. Room temperature may be determined by using a thermometer. Notice that the temperature knob says it is marked in degrees Centigrade, that the numbers represent 10° C divisions, and that there are four lines between each number. Thus, if room temperature is 23° C, the temperature knob would be set half-way between the 22 and 24° C marks.
    6. pH meter standardize knob
  6. The standardize knob and slope knob are used to calibrate the pH meter. First, with the electrode soaking in a standard pH 7.00 buffer solution, the standardize knob is used to adjust the scale to read exactly 7.00.
    7. pH meter slope knob
  7. Then, using a standard pH 4.00 (or pH 10.00) buffer solution, the slope knob is used to adjust the scale to read exactly 4.00 (or 10.00).
    8. pH meter toggle switch
  8. The toggle switch is used to switch the pH meter from “standby” (on, but waiting) to “read” (electrical current is flowing) mode. Attempting to send current through the electrodes (flipping the toggle to “pH”) while the combination electrode is not in a solution (like, if it’s up in the air) can temporarily or permanently damage the combination electrode, causing erratic or meaningless pH readings. It is critically important to make sure the toggle switch is on “sta.by” (standby) before lifting the electrode out of a solution and as part of your clean-up routine when you done obtaining your readings.
    9. pH electrode
  9. A pH meter has two electrodes, because as you may know, it takes two electrodes for electricity to flow, and pH meters are no exception. Older pH meters were equipped with two separate electrodes, both of which were lowered into the solution to be tested. Newer meters have a combination electrode, which conveniently contains both electrodes in one, slender housing. For this reason, our meters may appear to have only one electrode attached, but if you look at the other end of the wire lead, you can see that there are, indeed, two wires which attach to the meter. One of those electrodes is an extremely thin (and fragile!), round glass ball (visible on the bottom end of the electrode, and often semi-protected by plastic projections from the housing) which is permeable only to H+ ions. Hydrogen ions from the solution can cross this thin glass membrane, thus causing a very small electrical current which is detected by the machine. At different H+ concentrations, different amounts of H+ ions cross the glass membrane, thus the machine can “read” different H+ concentrations, and the face of the meter shows this in terms of pH units. Please note that these glass electrodes are very thin and fragile and quite expensive. Thus, you must exercise great care in using the pH meter. A combination electrode will have a small whitish spot on one side just above the glass electrode (in some of the very newest combination electrodes this may be in a position where it is less apparent). This is the other electrode (the calomel electrode), and it is important that this spot be below the surface of your solution for the machine to correctly measure the pH of the solution (for that reason, it is suggested that you use the smallest beaker possible to hold your solution so that it is possible to have sufficient depth of solution while keeping the actual volume needed to a minimum).
    Note: the glass electrode is “clear” in color. In this photo, it looks green and red only due to reflected light from the green electrode housing and the red background.

Illustrate a pH meter, labeling the various knobs. Pay special attention to getting the actual face of the meter drawn correctly, including the actual markings, the needle, and the mirror. Make sure to correctly indicate the numbers/divisions on the scale. Observe and draw the various knobs and the toggle switch on the machine, paying close attention to the labels for the “Temperature,” “Standardize,” and “Slope” knobs and any divisions/markings on the knobs.


Use of the pH Meter

Your instructor will demonstrate proper use and care of the pH meters. Please observe carefully and take good notes in your lab notebook so you know how to operate the machine (and get a reliable reading) without breaking it.

The electrode(s) have been soaking in pH 7.00 buffer and the machine has been warming up for at least 30 min. Notice that the beaker in which the electrode is soaking is labeled as containing the buffer. Locate the beaker which should be nearby that is labeled “WASTE,” a smaller beaker that is labeled as containing either pH 4.00 or pH 10.00 buffer, the squirt-bottle labeled “dH2O,” and a box of Kimwipes. Note that while the buffer is not extremely dangerous, it would be a good idea to avoid getting it on your hands and to rinse it off if you do.

    thermometer thermometer close-up
  1. Use a thermometer to determine current room temperature. (For example, this thermometer is at 23.1° C.) Set the “Temperature” knob to that temperature. Record the room temperature in your lab notebook.
  2. With the electrode submerged in pH 7.00 buffer far enough to include the calomel, flip the toggle switch to “Read” (or “pH”). Since the electrode is in pH 7.00 buffer, the indicator needle should read exactly 7.00 (If you are looking exactly at the needle, you will not see its reflection in the mirror behind it — remember to avoid parallax error). You may need to wait a little while for the needle to stabilize. If the reading is not 7.00, slowly turn the “Standardize” knob until it is, then put the meter back on “Standby.” If the calomel is not submerged, the machine will behave erratically. Always remember to flip the toggle switch back to “Standby” before removing the electrode from a solution. Failure to do so can mess up the electrode so it doesn’t give meaningful readings.
  3. After double checking to make sure the machine is on “Standby,” gently raise the electrode out of the buffer (note: if you do this with the machine on “Read” it will mess up the electrode — make sure it is on “Standby”). Use the squirt bottle of dH2O to THOROUGHLY rinse off the electrode, catching the drips in the “waste” beaker. Gently TOUCH/blot off the excess water (do not rub or wipe) with a Kimwipe.
  4. CAREFULLY lower the electrode into a beaker of pH 4.00 (or pH 10.00) buffer (record in your lab notebook which you use) far enough to include the calomel. Set the meter to “Read” and use the “Slope” knob (note: do NOT use the “Standardize” knob for this — make sure you use the “Slope” knob) to adjust the meter to the corresponding pH (4.00 or 10.00). Then, remember to put the meter back on “Standby,” and once again, lift up the electrode and thoroughly rinse it and pat it dry.
  5. CAREFULLY lower the electrode into your sample far enough to include the calomel (Hint: by placing your sample in the smallest available beaker, you can use less and still maintain a reasonable depth). Set the machine to “Read” (“pH”) and, when stable, take your reading, remembering to interpolate the last decimal place (read to two decimal places). Do not let the electrode hit bottom or it will break. Set the machine back to “Standby” when you are done, and remember to record your reading in your lab notebook. After setting the machine to “Standby,” raise the electrode, remove your sample, position the “waste” beaker under the electrode, and THOROUGHLY rinse all sample material off the electrode into the “waste” beaker.
  6. If you have more samples to test, repeat the previous step for any subsequent samples. After you are finished with all your samples, thoroughly rinse the electrode to make sure it is clean, pat it dry, then lower the CLEAN electrode carefully into the pH 7.00 buffer for storage. Under NO circumstances should the electrode be left in “mid-air” where it will dry out. Please make sure before you leave a station that the electrode is back in the pH 7 buffer solution.

  7. Clean up all spills. Leave the area neat and dry. Claim and clean up your beakers of sample. Please do not leave your beakers of solutions lying around for someone else to clean up and please remember to dispose of waste properly. Make sure the waste beaker and beakers of buffer as well as the bottle of dH2O and box of Kimwipes are still there for the next person. Thoroughly wash all your glassware and place in one of the drainage racks to dry. Double-check to make sure the electrode is clean and has been placed back into the beaker of pH 7.00 buffer.
  8. Make sure to record all data in your lab notebook and draw illustrations of any equipment that’s new to you. Enter the requested data on the pH Web page A copy of the class data should be included in your notebook.

Things to Include in Your Notebook

Make sure you have all of the following in your lab notebook:


Copyright © 2011 by J. Stein Carter. All rights reserved.
Based on printed protocol Copyright © 1980 D. B. Fankhauser
and © 1988 J. L. Stein Carter.
Chickadee photograph Copyright © by David B. Fankhauser
This page has been accessed Counter times since 28 Jun 2011.