The

pH
Meter

Submitted to: Mrs. Andrewin

Submitted by: Christine Dawson

Class: 3AS
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Before we start
Before we embark on a lesson about the pH meter, it is necessary to
know what pH is. pH is the term indicating the hydrogen ion (positively charged
hydrogen atom) concentration of a solution, a measure of the solution’s acidity. In
fact, pH stands for ‘potential of hydrogen’. Using the diagram below, you can be
able to know what the numerical value (pH unit) displayed on the pH meter
indicates.
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Content Page
TITLE PAGE NUMBER(S)
pH Meter—What Is It?.………………………………………..4

How It Came About……………………………………………...4

How It Is Made……………………………………………………. 5-6

How It Works……………………………………………………….6-7

The pH meter vs. other pH indicators…………….……..7-8

Bibliography………………………………………………………….8
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pH meter—what is it?
Since you have previously learnt what pH is, it is quite obvious what a pH
meter is. A definition of a pH meter would be an electronic instrument used to
measure the pH of a liquid. Special pH meters, can measure semi-solid
substances. That explains why there are soil pH meters. pH meters range from
simple and inexpensive pen-like devices to complex and expensive laboratory
instruments with computer interfaces and temperature sensors. Some come with
such temperature sensors because temperature does somewhat effect pH.
Concisely, its main function is to measure the potential difference between its
electrodes and convert it to a pH display.

how it came about

In the mid-1930s, Glen Joseph, a chemist at a research laboratory run by
the California Fruit Growers Exchange, visited an old friend, a professor of
chemistry by the name of Arnold Beckman. The CFGE controlled more than 75%
of California’s citrus output. Joseph sought Beckman's aid in solving a problem
confronting California citrus growers: how to get an accurate and rapid measure
of the acidity of lemon juice. This friendly request then led to Arnold’s invention
of the Beckman pH meter. This inventor was once quoted saying: “The pH meter
was just a chance development that I did as a favor for Glen Joseph.” So the pH
meter was actually the result a kind deed for a friend. In the 1970s Jenco
Electronics of Taiwan designed and manufactured the first portable digital pH
meter, like the one below.
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how it is made
There are all kinds of pH meters; some are used to test the pH of soil, pool
water and even wine. They come with varying sizes and shapes. Following is the
basic construction of a pH meter:

A basic pH meter consists of a specially-developed measuring probe

(electrode) that is connected to an electronic meter that displays the pH reading.
There are two main types of electrodes—the glass electrode and the reference
electrode. In the following photo

, both are shown:

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Glass Electrode-This is the most simplest and common electrode. It consists of a

strong glass tube with a thin glass bulb welded to it. Inside is a known solution of
potassium chloride (KCl) buffered at a pH of 7.0. The silver electrode with a silver
chloride tip makes contact with the inside solution. To minimize electronic
interference, the probe is shielded by a foil shield, often found inside the glass
electrode.

Calomel Reference Electrode- It consists of a cavity containing mercury and

calomel ( Hg2Cl2 ) which are in contact with each other. Contact between the
mercury and the calomel is made by a platinum wire while the small internal
chamber is surrounded by a solution of saturated KCl. Contact between the
saturated KCl and the measured solution, the liquid junction, is made through a
porous ceramic pin. The potential which occurs at this point is constant and is
determined by the solubility product of the calomel and the concentration of the
KCl solution.

*More advanced pH meters consist of both of these probes, though the cheaper
ones just have a glass electrode.

How it works
When a positive and a negative electrode are placed in a solution
containing ions, and an electric potential is applied to the electrodes, the cations
move toward the negative electrode, or cathode, and the anions to the positive
electrode, or anode. As a result, electric current flows between the electrodes.
The strength of the current depends on the electric potential between the
electrodes and the concentration of ions in the solution. Hence, it is often used to
measure the ion concentration in a solution.
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When it comes to a pH meter, electrodes are specially constructed to

accept H+ and are used to determine the potential of hydrogen of the solution
being analyzed. A pH meter works by measuring the change in electronic voltage
potential when it is immersed in the solution being tested. The pH unit is taken by
measuring the concentration of free, positively charged hydrogen ions in the
solution. These important steps show how the pH meter performs its function:

The electrode is filled with an electrolyte solution that responds to the

presence of positively charged hydrogen ions. It responds by accepting or
releasing electrons in an effort to keep the environment charge-neutral
(with no more cations than anions).

During the above step, the voltage potential1 of the solution changes. This
change is what the meter measures and infers into the number that you
display of the meter. This demonstrates why the electrode is the most
important part of the meter (and also the most expensive!)

*Take note that the most electrodes produce a small voltage of about 0.06 volt
per pH unit. This voltage is measured and displayed as pH units by the meter. In
simpler terms, the probe’s voltmeter does not measure voltage, but pH units.

pH meter vs. other ph

indicators
Although sometimes expensive and delicate, pH meters have quite a
number of advantages over that of other pH indicators. Here are some “good
stuff” about this instrument.

1 the amount of electrons available to flow between the solutions

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Precision- pH meters are much more precise than any other method of pH
measurement. They are so precise that they can measure down to 0.01th of the
pH unit. Although, there are some pH paper that can measure ranges smaller than
0 to 14, they are still not more precise than that of a fellow pH meter.

Objectivity-Whereas pH paper and other indicators give a range of colors that can
be subject to being read differently by different observers, reading pH meters are
far less subjective. Also pH meters do not limit color-blind individual, unlike like
other color strips and indicators.

Ease of Use-It is obvious that simply inserting a probe into a liquid is much easier
(and less messy) than using pH paper and other indicators. There is no
requirement of even using chemicals which may be unavailable for most people.
This is too bad for chemical indicators like phenolphthalein.

Interpretation of Results- A pH meter gives you a numerical value of the pH after

being inserted into the liquid, this is also makes it easier to use. Other pH
indicators do not give a numerical pH value.

Longer Usage- Unlike other pH indicators, pH meters are not disposable. Each
time you measure pH in another way besides using a pH meter, you need to
restock your supply. That means that litmus paper, pH paper, methyl orange,
alizarin etc., as they can only be used once.

Now here is the bad side:

Cost- A pH meter is much more costly than that of pH paper and other indicators.

Faulty pH Readings-A pH meter’s measuring capability can easily be thrown off by

temperature, by metal deposits on the electrode, protein, salts etc.

Require Calibration- To ensure uniformity and accuracy, pH meters are calibrated

according to the accepted standards of measurement for the given electrical unit.
This process is quite problematic for first-timers. Other pH indicators do not
require this preparation.
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Cleaning- As tedious as it seems, pH meters need to be cleaned after each use so

that you can attain accurate pH readings the next time it is used. Other indicators
do not require this.

So which do you prefer?

OR