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University of Sulaimani College of Engineering Water Resource Department

This document describes a procedure for measuring the pH of water samples using a pH meter. Key steps include calibrating the pH meter using buffer solutions of known pH, preparing the water sample by mixing and recording its temperature, measuring the pH of the sample, and discussing the results. A lab experiment found tank water had a pH of 7.9 at 18 degrees C, which is within the safe range for drinking water.

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Sharo Shwan Othman
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119 views

University of Sulaimani College of Engineering Water Resource Department

This document describes a procedure for measuring the pH of water samples using a pH meter. Key steps include calibrating the pH meter using buffer solutions of known pH, preparing the water sample by mixing and recording its temperature, measuring the pH of the sample, and discussing the results. A lab experiment found tank water had a pH of 7.9 at 18 degrees C, which is within the safe range for drinking water.

Uploaded by

Sharo Shwan Othman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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University of sulaimani

College of engineering
Water resource department

pH test of water

Students:
Koyar Dlshad
Kaiwan Kwestany
Sharo Shwan

Academic Year: 2021-2022

1
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Scope 4
Electrode 5
Apparatus 6
Procedure 6
Discussion 10

2
Introduction
The term “pH” refers to the measurement of hydrogen ion
activity in the solution. Since the direct measurement of the pH
is very difficult, specific electrodes are needed for quick and
accurate pH determination. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to
14, with lower values indicating high H+ (more acidic) and
higher values indicating low H+ ion activity (less acidic). A pH of
7 is considered neutral. Every whole unit in pH represents a
ten-fold increase in or decrease in hydrogen ion concentration.

Figure 1 Ph-Scale

Most natural waters possess pH values ranging from 5.0 to 8.5.


Rainwater has a pH value of 5.4 to 6.0 which then reacts with
the soils and minerals causing the reduction in H+ ion
concentration and thus the water may become alkaline with a
pH 0f 8.0-8.5. More acid water (pH<5) and more alkaline (pH
3
>9) and other immediate changes in the hydrogen ion
concentration (pH) suggest that the quality of the water is
adversely affected due to the introduction of some toxic
contaminants in water bodies. pH is measured using a pH
meter, which comprises a detecting unit consisting of a glass
electrode, a reference electrode, usually a calomel electrode
connected by the KCl Bridge to the pH-sensitive glass electrode,
and an indicating unit that indicates the pH corresponding to
the electromotive force is then detected. Before measurement,
the pH meter should be calibrated by using at least two buffers.

Scope
This test method sets out the procedure for determining the pH
(hydrogen ion concentration) of water using an electronic pH
meter.

4
Electrode
The electrode is the portion of the pH meter that senses the
pH. It is a very sensitive and fragile instrument that is
susceptible to scratches. If scratched, the electrode will result
in erroneous pH readings, so always blot the electrode dry
carefully when cleaning it. Light and temperature can also harm
the electrode, so it should be stored in a buffer solution at 10-
25°C and protected from light. 
The electrode is relatively free from
interferences due to color, turbidity, colloidal
matter, oxidants, reductants, or high salinity,
except for a sodium error at high pH. This
error at a pH above 10 may be reduced by
using special "low sodium error" electrodes if
your water is high in sodium and your pH is
also high. 
While using the pH meter, you should watch
for erratic results arising from cracked Figure 2 Electrode
electrodes, faulty connections, or fouling of electrodes with
grease and/or solids residue. The two-point calibration
explained in the procedure can help detect a faulty electrode. If
a reasonably accurate value for the second buffer cannot be
obtained after the meter has been standardized against the
first buffer, then it is likely that one, if not both, of the
electrodes, is faulty and must be replaced.

5
Apparatus
(a) An electronic pH meter.
(b) Laboratory glassware including volumetric flasks etc.
(c) A wash bottle filled with distilled water.
(d) Buffer tablets of pH 4, 7 and 9.

Procedure

1. Turn the pH meter on and allow the instrument to warm up.

Every brand of pH meter operates slightly differently, so we will


not explain which buttons to push for every stage of the
procedure.  Instead, you can refer to the instrument's manual,
if necessary.

2. Compensate for the temperature.

pH is slightly temperature-dependent, so we use the following


steps to ensure that changes in temperature do not cause
errors in readings.  You will also notice that we record the
temperature of the sample in a later step so that we will know
at what temperature the pH was taken.

a. Bring all of the buffer solutions, the sample, and the pH


meter to the same temperature.  (The simplest method is to
bring all to room temperature.)
6
b. If the pH meter does not have automatic temperature
compensation, measure the temperature of the buffer
solutions and adjust the temperature compensation dial as
necessary. 

3. Use buffers to calibrate the meter. 

To get the most accurate pH reading of our sample, we


calibrate the meter before each use.  During calibration, we
place the electrodes in a series of buffer solutions with known
pH values and set the meter to those values.  Typically, we will
use a buffer solution with a pH of 7.0, a buffer solution with a
pH of 4.0, and a buffer solution with a pH of 10.0 for
calibration, though we can use other buffers if necessary.  In all
cases, the second and third buffers should have pH values at
least two pH units higher and lower than the first buffer
solution.  The following procedure is used to calibrate the meter
to each buffer solution.

a. Remove the electrode(s) from storage solution, rinse them


with distilled water and carefully blot the electrode(s) dry with
a high quality laboratory tissue.

b. Place the electrode(s) in a buffer solution and measure the


pH of the buffer while gently stirring the solution. 

7
c. Adjust the pH meter reading to the known pH value of the
buffer solution, if necessary.  Then place the instrument in
standby mode. 

d. Repeat this procedure with the next buffer solution. 

4. Prepare the sample.

In order to get a good pH reading, you should ensure that the


sample is not contaminated and that it is well-mixed.  You can
mix the sample using either a magnetic stirrer or a stir bar.  In
either case, the goal of stirring is to ensure that the sample is
well mixed so that the pH reading is representative of the entire
sample.  Do not stir too vigorously or carbon dioxide will enter
the water, forming carbonic acid and lowering the pH.

A. Record the source of your sample water in the Data section.

b. To prevent contamination, rinse out a sample cup several


times with sample water and fill it with the sample water to be
tested. 

c. If a magnetic stirrer is available, place a clean stir bar in the


sample water and turn on the stirrer.  If not, you will need to
mix the sample with a stir bar at intervals.

8
5. Measure the pH of the sample.

a. Determine the sample's temperature and record the


temperature in the Data section.  Adjust the meter's
temperature compensation dial if necessary.

b. Remove the electrode(s) from the storage solution, rinse the


with distilled water and carefully blot the electrode(s) dry with
a high quality laboratory tissue.

c. Place the electrode(s) in the sample.  Continue stirring the


sample as the pH is measured by the meter.  Record the
sample's pH in the Data section.

d. Place the instrument in standby mode and remove the


electrode(s) from the sample.  Rinse the electrode(s)
thoroughly with distilled water and carefully blot dry.

6. When all samples have been tested, place the electrode(s) in


tap water or pH 7.0 buffer solution for storage and shut off the
meter. 

9
Discussion

We tested regular tank water in our lab experiment and found


the following pH values:

Reading pH Temperature
1 7.9 18C

Our pH level is 7.9, which is safe to drink since the acceptable


pH range for water is between 6.5-8.5.

10

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