LABORATORY EXERCISE

pH MEASUREMENT AND BUFFER PREPARATION

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the experiment, the learners should be able to:
1. Demonstrate how to measure pH of a solution using indicators;
2. Determine the operation of buffer systems;
3.Compare the accuracy of pH meter and pH paper
4.Calculate the pH given the concentration of H+ or concentration of OH-

REVIEW
1.pH is a measure of how acidic/basic a solution is. The range goes from 0
to 14.
a. If pH < 7, then the solution is acidic.
b. If pH = 7, then the solution is neutral.
c. If pH > 7, then the solution is basic.
2.The letters pH stand for potential of hydrogen, since pH is a measure of
the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in an aqueous solution.
3.pH is also expressed as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen-
ion concentration (pH = - log [H+])
4.In contrast, pOH stands for potential of Hydroxide, is a measure
of hydroxide ion (OH–) concentration, and is expressed as the
negative logarithm of the hydroxide-ion concentration (pOH = - log [OH-])
5.The control of pH is important in organism and their cells because
chemical reactions and processes are affected by the hydrogen ion
concentration.
6.An acid is a compound that can donate a hydrogen ion.
7. A base is a substance that accepts hydrogen ions.
8. pH Meter is an electronic instrument supplied with a special bulb which is
sensitive to the hydrogen ions which are present in the solution being tested.

9. Red litmus paper turns blue for base.

10. Blue litmus paper turns red for acid.

SETTING THE PH METER

Before using it, the instrument must be checked and possibly adjusted.
1. Load the battery and turn on the power.
2. Remove the protection cap and pull out the electrode to the desired length
3. Rinse the electrode with clean water and wipe it dry.
 4. Immersed the electrode in the standard buffer solution whose pH value is
7.0. Stir gently and wait until the display stabilizes.
5. Calibrate the pH by adjusting the reading to 7.0 by turning the trimmer
located at the right side of the meter using a screwdriver that is provided.

IDENTIFYING ACIDS AND BASES

USING PH METER

Objective:

1. Identify some household substances whether acid or base using litmus

paper and digital pH meter.

Materials:

• pH scale
• digital pH meter
• Litmus paper
• Household materials
• Graduated cylinder.

Things to test for acidity/basicity:

15 ml Coke (maybe Sprite or 7-Up to get rid of color)

15 ml milk
15ml Vinegar
15 ml baking powder (dissolved in water)
Lemon Juice/ calamansi juice
½ tsp. of detergent powder in 50 ml water
Water

Procedure:

1. Prepare 1 set of 15 ml liquid samples listed in the table 1.

2. Test the material one by one with blue and red litmus paper. Observe.
3. Record observations in the data below.
4. Get the pH reading of the second set samples by using the pH meter.
5. Classify the substance whether acid or base.
 6. Record your observations and data in the table.

Safety Note: When working in the lab,

never touch, sniff, taste, or mix any
materials that you are working with as
part of a science experiment
Fill in the chart with your findings from your lab. Then answer the questions
fully.

Substance: Prediction: Reaction Reaction pH Result:

Before lab to Red to Blue reading After lab
acid/neutral/ litmus Litmus using acid/neutral/
base? paper paper digital pH base?
meter
pH level
Vinegar
Baking
powder
Distilled
water
Sprite
Calamansi
juice
Detergent
Milk

Guide Questions:

1. What solutions above are acidic? Basic?

2. How do you measure the pH of material?
3. Arranged the materials you have tested from strongly acidic to strongly
basic.
4. What number on scale describes an acid? Describes a base.
5. Compare the results you obtained with pH meter to your results with
litmus paper. Were the results different?