College of Medical Technology

Center for Medical and Allied Health Science

Pre-Laboratory Report no.3

pH and Buffer Solutions

Presented to Professor Chastine G. Cardenas

Instructor in Biochemistry for Med Lab Science Laboratory, MTBM21-L
Saturday 7:00 am – 01:00 pm

Presented by:

Group 2
Fernandez, Camil Izalyn
Gallardo, Fatima Leah D.V.
Halili, Miro Anthony
Huliganga, Keith Ashley
Porosa, Donita
Tañedo, Glomelyn Rose
Villareal, Princess Abigail
CMT-2B

SEPTEMBER 2019
 Experiment no.3 pH and Buffer Solutions

Title: The Effect of using different pH indicators on identification of acidity and

alkalinity of different concentrations

Question: How does pH indicator test predict the acidity and alkalinity of different
concentrations? And which is better indicator in the experiment done?

Hypothesis: Group 2 hypothesized that alkalinity and acidity of a concentration

can be easily identified with the help of pH indicator such as litmus paper, pH paper
and pH meter due to their specified constituents or chemical that can easily
distinguish compounds that indicate acidity and basicity, especially the pH meter
since it can accurately determine the degree of acidity and alkalinity of solution.
According to Jen Black (2017), pH is a measure of the concentration of hydronium
(H3O+) ions in an aqueous solution. It ranges from 0 to 14 based on a negative
logarithmic scale. Wherein Acidic solutions are below pH 7 where 0 is the most
acidic. Meanwhile, basic solutions are above pH 7 where 14 is the most basic. It
is also said that a solution with pH 7 is considered neutral. The litmus and pH paper
contain a chemical, weak acid or weak base - which changes color upon contact
with an acid and base. The paper will turn red in acids and blue in bases. Usually
pH paper is provided with a color chart in order to determine pH range. However,
compared to pH meter, paper indicators only give ranges while pH meter gives
exact measurement. This is because the pH meters measure solutions pH by
measuring electrical potential difference between pH electrode and a reference
electrode. Therefore, we conclude that pH meter will accurately predict and
measures alkalinity and acidity of a substance.

Reference: Black, J., (2017). Measuring pH: Indicators, Paper, and Meters. Retrieved from
https://www.carolina.com/teacher-resources/interactive/measuring-ph-indicators-paper-and-meters/tr40101.tr
 Experimentation:
A. Materials
 12 – Test Tube w/Rack  Blue Litmus Paper  8 – 50mL Beakers
 pH Paper  Red Litmus Paper
 pH Meter  Wash Bottle

B. Chemicals
 0.1M hydrochloric acid (HCl)
 0.1M acetic acid (CH3COOH)
 0.1M sodium acetate (NaC2H3O2)
 0.1M carbonic acid (H2CO3)
 0,1M sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
 0.1M ammonia (NH3)
 0.1M sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

C. Flowchart
1. Measurement of pH

Test with pH indicators (litmus, pH

a. 1 mL 0.1M hydrochloric acid (HCl) Test Tube paper, pH meter)

Test with pH indicators (litmus, pH

b. 1 mL 0.1M acetic acid (CH3COOH) Test Tube paper, pH meter)

1 mL 0.1M sodium acetate Test with pH indicators (litmus, pH

c. (NaC2H3O2) Test Tube paper, pH meter)

Test with pH indicators (litmus, pH

d. 1 mL 0.1M carbonic acid (H2CO3) Test Tube paper, pH meter)

1 mL 0.1M sodium bicarbonate Test with pH indicators (litmus, pH

e. (NaHCO3)
Test Tube paper, pH meter)

Test with pH indicators (litmus, pH

f.  1 mL 0.1M ammonia (NH3) Test Tube paper, pH meter)

1 mL 0.1M sodium hydroxide Test with pH indicators (litmus, pH

g. (NaOH)
Test Tube paper, pH meter)
 2. Buffer System

a. BUFFER BEAKER A
Test with pH indicators (pH paper and
Add 10mL 0.1M CH3COOH + 10 mL 0.1M NaC2H3O2 pH meter)

Add 1mL of M HCl Into the first half and add 1 mL of NaOH into Divide each into two halve (10mL
the second half. Mix and determine the pH. Record your answer. each). Place into clean dry 50 mL
beaker. Set as A1 and A2

b. BUFFER BEAKER B Test with pH indicators (pH paper and

pH meter)
Add 5mL 0.1M CH3COOH + 15mL 0.1M NaC2H3O2

Divide each into two halve (10mL

Add 1mL of M HCl Into the first half and add 1 mL of NaOH into
the second half. Mix and determine the pH. Record your answer. each). Place into clean dry 50 mL
beaker. Set as B1 and B2

c. BUFFER BEAKER C Test with pH indicators (pH paper and

pH meter)
Add 10mL 0.1 MH2CO3 + 10mL 0.1M NaHCO3

Divide each into two halve (10mL

Add 1mL of M HCl Into the first half and add 1 mL of NaOH into
the second half. Mix and determine the pH. Record your answer. each). Place into clean dry 50 mL
beaker. Set as C1 and C2

d. BUFFER BEAKER D Test with pH indicators (pH paper and

pH meter))
Add mL 0.1M H2CO3 + 15mL 0.1M NaHCO3

Divide each into two halve (10mL

Add 1mL of M HCl Into the first half and add 1 mL of NaOH into
the second half. Mix and determine the pH. Record your answer.
each). Place into clean dry 50 mL
beaker. Set as D1 and D2
 D. Experimentation
1. Measurement of pH using pH Paper

PICTURE OF THE
CHEMICALS REACTION OF pH OBSERVATION RESULTS
PAPER

1. Hydrochloric The result of the test in the

acid o The pH pH level for HCl, the pH
paper turns paper turns in light red
to reddish color which indicates that
color. the pH range is in level 2.

2. Acetic acid The result in the pH level

o The pH for Acetic acid, the pH
paper turns paper turn in orange color
to orange which indicates that the pH
color. range level is in level 4.

3. Sodium The result in the pH level

acetate o The pH for Sodium acetate, the pH
paper turns paper turns to light green
to light green color which indicates that
color. the range of pH level is 7.

4. Carbonic acid The result in the pH level

o The pH for Carbonic acid, the pH
paper turns paper turns to orange
to orange which indicates that the pH
color. range level is 4.
 5. Sodium The result in the pH level
bicarbonate o The pH for Sodium bicarbonate,
paper turns the pH paper turns to
to yellow yellowish green color
green color. which indicates that the pH
range level is 7.

6. Ammonia The result in pH level for

o The pH Ammonia, the pH paper
paper turns turns to light blue which
to light blue indicates that the pH level
color. is 9.

7. Sodium o The pH The result in pH level for

hydroxide paper turns Sodium hydroxide, the pH
to bluish paper turns to bluish
purple color. purple which indicates that
the pH level is 11.

DISCUSSION:

In the experiment done we can conclude that the arrangement of pH level

from acid to base starts from Hydrochloric acid with pH 2, acetic acid and carbonic
acid with pH 4, sodium acetate and sodium bicarbonate with pH 7, ammonia with
pH 9, and lastly the sodium hydroxide with pH 11.

This phenomenon happen due to the characteristics of pH paper that is

weak acid/weak base that can detect hydrogen ions and causes the color of the
solution and paper indicator to change depending on the pH level.
 2. Measurement of pH using pH Meter
Measurement Measurement
CHEMICALS COMPARISON
in pH paper in pH meter
1. Hydrochloric pH 2 pH 3.3 The overall colour of the pH paper with
acid HCl turns into red which is pH 2, acidic.
While in the pH meter it is pH 3.3 wherein in
this case the pH paper is proximately closer
with 1 level from meter indicator.
2. Acetic acid pH 4 pH 4.5 The overall colour of the pH paper with
this chemical is orange colour that is pH 4,
acid. While in pH meter it is 4.5 which is
within the range therefore almost accurate.
3. Sodium pH 7 pH 7.1 The overall colour of the pH paper with
acetate this chemical is light green with pH 7 which
is in neutral, while in the pH meter it is
measured about pH 7.1 which is accurate in
the pH paper interpretation.
4. Carbonic pH 4 pH 7.2 The overall colour of the pH paper with
acid this chemical is orange colour which is pH 4,
acid. While in the pH meter it is pH 7.2. We
didn`t achieved the desired proximate
measurement with each other.
5. Sodium pH 7 pH 7.6 The overall colour of the pH paper with
bicarbonate this chemical is yellow green that is pH 7
which is neutral, while in the pH meter it is
7.6 which is almost proximate measurement
with paper indicator.
6. Ammonia pH 9 pH 8.6 The overall colour of the pH paper with
this chemical is light blue with pH 9 which is
acidic, while in the pH meter it measured by
pH 8.6 which is less proximate with paper
indicator.
7. Sodium pH 11 pH 8.5 The overall colour of the pH paper with
hydroxide this chemical is bluish violet with pH 11 that
indicates alkalinity level, while in the pH
meter it is measured by pH 8.5 which is less
proximate with paper indicator.

DISCUSSION:

In this part of the experiment we compare the measured pH level of the solutions with the pH
paper and pH meter. It can be seen that most of the solution except sodium acetate and sodium
hydroxide have proximate measurement with each other. With this data, we conclude that we have an
error in measurement. The error lies on the experimenter and equipment since the experimenter is not
familiar with the use of pH meter and the calibration of the equipment is unstable.
 3. Measurement of pH using Blue Litmus Paper
PICTURE OF THE
CHEMICALS REACTION OF Blue OBSERVATION RESULTS
Litmus Paper
1. Hydrochloric o The Blue Upon dipping of the paper
acid Litmus in HCl, we notice that it
paper changes it color from blue
changes to red which indicates that
its color to it is acidic.
red.
2. Acetic acid o The Blue Upon dipping of the paper
Litmus in Acetic acid, we notice
paper that it changes it color from
changes blue to red which indicates
its color to that it is acidic.
red.
3. Sodium When the litmus paper
acetate came in contact with
o No color Sodium acetate, we
change observed that no reaction
happened. or no color change
happened indicating that it
is a basic solution.
4. Carbonic o The Blue Upon dipping of the paper
acid Litmus in Carbonic acid, we notice
paper that it changes it color from
changes blue to red which indicates
its color to that it is acidic.
red.
5. Sodium When the litmus paper
bicarbonate came in contact with
o No color Sodium bicarbonate, we
change observed that no reaction
happened. or no color change
happened indicating that it
is a basic solution.
6. Ammonia When the litmus paper
came in contact with
o No color Ammonia, we observed
change that no reaction or no color
happened. change happened
indicating that it is a basic
solution.
 7. Sodium When the litmus paper
hydroxide came in contact with
o No color Sodium acetate, we
change observed that no reaction
happened. or no color change
happened indicating that it
is a basic solution.

Therefore:
Solution Acid/Base
Hydrochloric Acid
Acetic Acid Acid
Sodium Acetate Base
Carbonic Acid Acid
Ammonia Base
Sodium Hydroxide Base
Sodium Bicarbonate Base

DISCUSSION:

The litmus test is a quick method of determining whether a liquid or gaseous

solution is acidic or basic (alkaline). Litmus paper is a type of pH paper made by treating
paper with natural dyes from lichens. Litmus paper will turn red if it comes in contact with
an acid (a substance with pH between 0 to 7) and blue if it comes in contact with a base
(a substance with pH between 7 to 14). In this part of the experiment, we use a blue litmus
paper to see if there is a reaction or a change in color if we submerge it into seven different
solutions. Blue litmus paper will turn red in an acid or it will stay the same if it is a base.
Based on the experiment that we conducted using different solutions we observed that
when we dip the litmus paper in hydrochloric, acetic and carbonic acid, the litmus paper
changes its color from blue to red indicating that the said solutions are all acidic. While
Sodium Acetate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Ammonia, and Sodium Hydroxide does not
change its color to signify that they are all basic solution.
 4. pH of the Buffer System (A,B,C,D)
Measurement in pH Measurement in pH
CHEMICALS COMPARISON
paper meter

1. BUFFER In the Buffer A, the pH

BEAKER A Paper turns into yellow
orange that indicates
10mL 0.1M that it is pH 5 and this
CH3COOH buffer is acidic. Its pH
meter is 4.3. Therefore,
+
they are proximate to
10 mL 0.1M each other.
NaC2H3O2
pH 5 pH 4.3

2. BUFFER In the Buffer B, the pH

BEAKER B Paper turns into yellow
orange that indicates
5mL 0.1M that it is pH 5 and this
CH3COOH buffer is acidic. Its pH
+ meter is 4.7. Therefore,
15mL 0.1M they are proximate to
NaC2H3O2 each other.

pH 5 pH 4.7

3. BUFFER In the Buffer C, the pH

BEAKER C Paper turns into dark
green that indicates
10mL 0.1 that it is pH 8 and this
MH2CO3 buffer is base. Its pH
+ meter is 8.4. Therefore,
10mL 0.1M they are proximate to
NaHCO3 each other.

pH 8 pH 8.4
 4. BUFFER In the Buffer D, the pH
BEAKER D Paper turns into green
that indicates the pH 7
5mL 0.1M and this buffer is
H2CO3 neutral. Its pH meter is
+ 6.9. Therefore, they are
15mL 0.1M proximate to each
NaHCO3 other.

pH 7 pH 6.9

DISCUSSION:

Solution that control the pH of a substance when small amounts of acids or

bases are added into the substance are called buffers. In this part of the
experiment the pH of the solution using pH paper ranges from pH 5 to pH 8 while
in pH meter it ranges from pH 4.3 to 8.4.

According to Flowers, P. et al (2019), a good buffer mixture should have equal

concentrations of both of its components. A buffer solution has generally lost its
usefulness when one component of the buffer pair is less that of the other.
Therefore, buffer B and D are not good buffer. In addition - for this pairing, the
weak acid are acetic acid and carbonic acid while the salt or conjugate bases are
the sodium acetate and sodium bicarbonate. For further explanation, it can said
that weak acid pair with salt will yield to a pH less that 7 which is accurate to the
result of Buffer A and B. Meanwhile, when weak acid is added with a strong base
it have a buffer greater than 7 which is true to buffer C and D.
 5. pH of the Buffer System (A,B,C,D)
Measurement in Measurement in pH
CHEMICALS RESULT COMPARISON
pH paper meter
In the Upon
1. BUFFER Buffer A with addition of
A1 1ml M HCl, the HCl to this
pH Paper buffer no
changes in
turns into
pH occur (pH
yellow that
paper) w/c is
indicates that pH 5 from its
it is pH 5 and original pH
this buffer is w/c is also
acidic. Its pH pH 5.
meter is 3.4.
pH 5 pH 3.4
In the Upon
2. BUFFER Buffer A with addition of
A2 1ml M NaOH, NaOH to this
the pH Paper buffer no
changes in
turns into
pH occur (pH
yellow that
paper) w/c is
indicates that pH 5 from its
it is pH 5 and original pH
this buffer is w/c is also
acidic. Its pH pH 5.
meter is 5.3.
pH 5 pH 5.3
In the Upon
3. BUFFER Buffer B with addition of
B1 1ml M NaOH, HCl to this
the pH Paper buffer no
changes in
turns into
pH occur (pH
yellow that
paper) w/c is
indicates that pH 5 from its
it is pH 5 and original pH
this buffer is w/c is also
acidic. Its pH pH 5.
meter is 5.3.
pH 5 pH 5.5
 In the Upon
4. BUFFER Buffer B with addition of
B2 1ml M NaOH, NaOH to this
the pH Paper buffer no
changes in
turns into
pH occur (pH
yellow that
paper) w/c is
indicates that pH 5 from its
it is pH 5 and original pH
this buffer is w/c is also
acidic. Its pH pH 5.
meter is 5.5.
pH 5 pH 5.5
In the Upon
5. BUFFER Buffer C with addition of
C1 1ml M HCl, the HCl to this
pH Paper buffer very
little changes
turns into dirty
in pH occur
green that
(pH paper)
indicates that w/c is lesser
it is pH 7 and one unit that
this buffer is is pH 7 from
neutral. Its pH its original
meter is 6.6. pH w/c is pH
pH 7 pH 6.6 8.
Upon
6. BUFFER In the addition of
C2 Buffer C with NaOH to this
1ml M NaOH, buffer very
little changes
the pH Paper
in pH occur
turns into dark
(pH paper)
blue that w/c is greater
indicates that than one unit
it is pH 9 and that is pH 9
this buffer is from its
base. Its pH original pH
pH 9 pH 8.2 meter is 8.2. w/c is pH 8.
 In the Upon
7. BUFFER Buffer D with addition of
D1 1ml M HCl, the HCl to this
pH Paper buffer very
little changes
turns into dark
in pH occur
green that
(pH paper)
indicates that w/c is greater
it is pH 8 and than one unit
this buffer is that is pH 8
base. Its pH from its
meter is 7.8. original pH
pH 8 pH 7.8 w/c is pH 87
In the Upon
8. BUFFER Buffer D with addition of
D2 1ml M NaOH, NaOH to this
the pH Paper buffer
changes in
turns into dark
pH occur (pH
blue that
paper) w/c is
indicates that greater than
it is pH 9 and two unit that
this buffer is is pH 9 from
base. Its pH its original
meter is 8.3. pH w/c is pH
pH 9 pH 8.3 7.

DISCUSSION:

The mixture of acetic acid and sodium acetate is acid, upon addition of strong base
w/c is HCl it acts to keep the hydronium ions constant while the addition of strong base
w/c is NaOH the hydroxide ions react with few hydronium ions present restoring the
hydronium ion concentration almost to its original value. Thus, From Buffer A1 to Buffer
B2 there is very little change in pH level using pH meter while in pH paper this is no
changes at all making them constant to each other.

The mixture of carbonic acid and sodium bicarbonate is ranging from neutral to
basic. In Buffer C1, upon addition of strong base w/c is HCl pH level decreases to one
unit while in Buffer C2 addition of NaOH increases the pH with one unit. There is no
drastic change in pH. Therefore, it maintains its buffer concentration. For buffer D1, upon
addition of HCl the pH increases with one unit while in Buffer D2 it also increases in pH
level with one unit. It can be seen that there is a drastic change within the buffer
concentration making the solution to be unconstant.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

In this activity we easily identify solutions considered to be acid and basic thru the
help of different indicators. The most prominent indicator that gives as to a precise
measurement is the pH paper which is different from our stand since the pH meter is
considered to be most accurate measurement for pH Level. This contradiction can be
seen at fault mostly with the experimenter. Since the experimenter is not quite familiar
with proper operation and calibration of the said equipment indicator. It is necessary to
ask for further assistant with people with great background with the equipment.