Last Update: 4 December 2017 Part II

CP 25
pH measurement using pH meter
A pH meter measures the pH of a solution utilizing a glass electrode. The electrode is made of very thin
glass that allows H+ ions to pass through it. The meter measures electrical potential and converts this data
into a pH reading for a sample.
Calibrating the pH Meter
First, soak the glass electrode in distilled water for about half an hour.
(Why soak the electrode? The glass electrode has very thin walls that allow H+ to pass through.
However, small alkali metal cations, such as Na+, may also enter the glass. These small cations will
affect the electrical potential measured by the pH meter, causing inaccurate pH readings. While the
electrode soaks in water, the alkali metal cations are replaced by H+.)
The meter should be calibrated with a basic solution if the sample to be tested is basic or with an acidic
solution if the sample is acidic. Continue to calibrate the meter according to the pH of the sample to be
measured.
Next, begin to calibrate the pH meter by setting it to read 7.00 in a buffer solution of pH = 7.00.
Calibrating to pH 7
Rinse the electrode with distilled water. Place the electrode into a buffer solution with pH = 7. Adjust
the appropriate potentiostat screw until the readout displays "7.00".

Adjust the screw until the display reads "7.00".

Calibrating to pH 4
Rinse the electrode with distilled water. Place the electrode into a buffer solution with pH = 4, and
adjust the appropriate potentiostat screw until the readout displays "4.00".

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 Adjust the screw until the display reads "4.00".
Finally, rinse the electrode with pH = 7 solution and measure the pH of this solution. If the meter does not
read "7.00", re-calibrate the instrument.
If the sample to be measured is basic, follow the same general calibration procedure as used when the
sample is acidic. In this case, however, calibrate the meter using a pH = 10 buffer solution instead of the pH
= 4 buffer.
Using the pH Meter
After calibrating the instrument, first rinse the bulb with distilled water and then with a portion of the sample
to be tested. Then measure the pH of the sample.

Measuring the pH of a sample

While the sample is being stirred vigorously, place the tip of the electrode into the
solution. After the electrode has been in the solution for about seven seconds, record
the reading on the pH meter.
Be cautious when interpreting the results of an experiment; several factors may affect the function of the pH
meter.

Factors affecting the function of the meter

Several factors may affect the function of the pH meter. First, the meter will only give accurate readings for
solutions between -5 and 60 degrees Celsius. Second, a pH meter is often inaccurate if the pH of the sample
is greater than 12. Finally, solutions that have high sodium ion concentrations generally give erroneous
results.

Why do solutions with high Na+ concentrations give poor results?

While the glass electrode is designed to allow H+ ions to pass through its walls, Na+ ions may also pass
through the walls. The Na+ ions affect the electrical potential measured by the electrode, which causes
inaccurate pH readings.

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