Physical &Analytical Chemistry Lab

Experiment 1

To determine the pH of different unknown solutions

Theory:

Definition:

The term pH refers to the measurement of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution and defined
as the negative log of H+ ions concentration

pH is a determined value based on a defined scale, similar to temperature. This means that pH
of water is not a physical parameter that can be measured as a concentration or in a quantity.
Instead, it is a figure between 0 and 14 defining how acidic or basic a particular solution can
be, along a logarithmic scale
pH = -log [H+]

The values of pH 0 to a little less than 7 are termed as acidic and the values of pH a little above
7 to 14 are termed as basic. When the concentration of H+ and –OH are equal, then the
solution is considered neural, with pH value equal to 7

Environmental significance

a. Determination of pH is one of the important objectives in biological treatment of the

wastewater. In anaerobic treatment, if the pH goes below 5 due to excess accumulation
of acids, the process is severely affected. Shifting of pH beyond 5 to 10 upsets the
aerobic treatment of the wastewater. In these circumstances, the pH is generally
adjusted by addition of suitable acid or alkali to optimize the treatment of the
wastewater
b. Ideal pH levels for aquatic fish environment are from 7-8. If pH falls below 5 or rise
above 9.6, it will cause harmful effects.
c. Normal rain is not neutral like pure water but is slightly acidic at around a pH of 5.6.
Acid rain has a pH of less than 5.6. Industrial areas have been reported to have acid rain
that is below a pH of 2.4. Rain water is naturally acidic because CO2 gas in the
atmosphere reacts with water to form H2CO3. In addition, SO2 and NO2 gases evolution
from industrial pollution and automobile exhaust can react with water to form strong
acids. These acids are the cause of acid rain
d. Buildings and bridges can be damaged by acid rain because it dissolves the stone or
corrodes the metal that is exposed to the weather

Materials and Apparatus required

pH meter, buffer solution (pH 7), distilled water, 100 ml beakers

Procedure:

1. In a 100 ml beaker, take pH 7 buffer solution

2. Place the pH electrode in the beaker containing the stirred buffer and check for the
reading in the pH meter 

3. If the instrument is not showing pH value of 7.00, using the calibration knob to adjust
the reading to 7.00. 

4. Take the electrode from the buffer, wash it with distilled water and then wipe gently
with soft tissue 

5. In a clean dry 100 mL beaker, take the unknown sample and record the record the pH
after placing immersing electrode in the unknown sample
6. Take out the electrode from sample, wash it with distilled water and then wipe gently
with soft tissue 

7. The same procedure can be applied to determine the pH of other unknown samples

Calculation:
Report the pH values in tabulated form on the plane page.

Result & Discussion:

Discuss and compare pH values of your unknown samples: