Ph and Conductivity

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Date:

Experiment 6

Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics

Course Number:
Lab Instructor:

Department of Civil Engineering

Texas A&M University–Kingsville

Submission Date:
 pH and Conductivity Lab

Introduction

The pH of a solution refers to the concentration of hydrogen ions therein as shown in the

equation below:

𝐻2 𝑂 <=> 𝐻 + + 𝑂𝐻 − … . . 𝑒𝑞𝑛 1

Mathematically, pH is represented as:

𝑝𝐻 = −𝑙𝑜𝑔[𝐻 + ] … … 𝑒𝑞𝑛 2

The pH of pure water is seven. Adding acids raises the [H+] ions thus lowering the pH value of

the solution. Most aquatic and land based living organisms such as fish and man require a neutral

pH of about seven for their body organs to function efficiently. Likewise, plants require specific

pH from the soil to support quality growth and reproduction. Higher or lower pH values can

cause corrosion of metal pipes transmitting water as well as negatively affect water treatment

processes such as coagulation.

Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to transmit electric current. Chemicals

(impurities) in water increase ion content, which facilitate conduction of electric current by

moving ions to oppositely charged electrodes. This phenomenon leads to increased conductivity

for a given solution. Conductivity is an effective way of checking the level of impurities in

water.

This experiment was carried out with the following aims:

 Enable the learner to use a pH and conductivity meter

 Calibrate a pH meter using a proper buffer solution

 Determine the pH of a solution

 pH and Conductivity Lab

 Measure the conductance of a solution

Materials and method

Apparatus

 pH meter

 electrodes

 glass beakers

 Buffer solutions of Ph 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0 respectively.

Procedure

The three buffer solutions used to calibrate the pH meter were located and allowed to reach room

temperature. A pH electrode was rinsed and dried to calibrate the respective standard solutions.

We pressed read on the calibration device for each buffer solution until the instrument confirmed

that the calibration was okay.

Calibrating the conductivity meter involved using a different conductivity standard. This too was

allowed to attain room temperature, rinsed, and dried. The conductivity channel command menu

was used to read and adjust the conductivity values of the standard solution to the point where

the device indicated that the calibration was all right.

Standard solutions of potassium chloride with varying concentration were prepared as shown in

table 1. Samples of tap water, DI water, and well water were collected and measured for pH and

conductivity respectively.
 pH and Conductivity Lab

Results

Tap water had the highest average pH of 9.0837 while DI water contained the lowest average pH of

7.5437. Well, water had the highest conductivity of 2227.000 μS/cm on average while DI had an average

conductivity value of 14.523 μS/cm. Figure 1 below shows an increase in conductivity with increased

concentration.

Conductivity vs concentration
0.025
y = 8E-06x - 0.0004
Cnductivity (μS/cm)

0.02 R² = 0.9882

0.015

0.01

0.005

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Concentration (M)

Fig. 1 Calibration curve for conductivity versus concentration

Discussion

All three samples indicate a pH that is within acceptable limits for potable water. However, when

it comes to conductivity, the DI solution can be rendered the safest to drink followed by tap

water. The variation in pH and conductivity is a function of the chemical contents present in the

water. Higher pH and conductivity values in the water indicate more impurities.

Conclusion

This laboratory practical illuminated on how to calibrate the pH and conductivity meters so that

one can use them to evaluate the purity of water. The well water showed the highest conductivity

whereas the DI water had the highest pH value.

 pH and Conductivity Lab

References

Bates, R. G., 1973, Determination of pH, theory and practice, New York.

Suarez, D. L., et al, 1984. Effect of pH on Soil Dispersion 1. Soil Science Society of America

Journal, 48, 52-56.

Appendices

Appendix 1 Conductivity data

Concentration 0 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020

(M)
Reading (μS/cm) 159 617 1347 1822 2705

Appendix 2 pH data
Sample 1 2 3 Average
D1 7.739 7.557 7.335 7.5437
Tap Water 8.986 9.181 9.084 9.0837
Well Water 8.155 8.122 8.115 8.1307

Appendix 3 Conductivity (μS/cm)

Sample 1 2 3 Average
Type
D1 14.25 14.57 14.75 14.523
Tap Water 1840 1854 1845 1846.333
Well Water 2226 2225 2230 2227.000