King Fahd University of Petroleum and

Minerals (KFUPM)

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Water Resources and Environmental

Engineering

CE-541: Chemistry in Environmental Engineering

Instructor:
Dr. Mohammed Vohra

Lab Report No. (1)

pH Measurement

Prepared by:
Mohammed Al-Hetari ID#: 202423640

Submission Date:

03 Feb 2025 (Term-242)

CE-541: Chemistry in Environmental Engineering

Table of Contents

1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................2

2. pH meter calibration.................................................................................................................3

3. Objective:.................................................................................................................................3

4. Apparatus and Materials..........................................................................................................3

5. Experimental procedure...........................................................................................................4

6. Results and Discussions...........................................................................................................4

7. Conclusion................................................................................................................................4

8. References................................................................................................................................5

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CE-541: Chemistry in Environmental Engineering

1. Introduction
Measurement of pH is one of the most important and frequently used tests in water chemistry.
Practically every phase of water supply and wastewater treatment (e.g., acid-base neutralization,
water softening, precipitation, coagulation, disinfection, and corrosion control) is pH - dependent.
Natural waters usually have pH values in the range of 4 to 9, and most are slightly basic because of
the presence of bicarbonates and carbonates of the alkali and alkaline earth metals. The term pH is
derived from “p,” the mathematical symbol for negative logarithm, And “H” the chemical symbol
for Hydrogen. The pH value of a highly dilute solution is approximately the same as the negative
common logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. pH is used in alkalinity and carbon dioxide
measurements and many other acid-base equilibria. At a given temperature the intensity of the
acidic or basic character of a solution is indicated by pH or hydrogen ion activity. Alkalinity and
acidity are the acid- and base-neutralizing capacities of a water and usually are expressed as
milligrams CaCO_3 per liter. Buffer capacity is the amount of strong acid or base, usually
expressed in moles per liter, needed to change the pH value of a 1-L sample by 1 unit. pH as
defined by Sorenson [1] is -log [H+]; it is the ‘’intensity’’ factor of acidity. Pure water is very
slightly ionized and at equilibrium the ion product is [2]:

and

where:

The basic principle of electrometric pH measurement

is determination of the activity of the hydrogen ions by
potentiometric measurement using a standard
hydrogen electrode and a reference electrode. The
hydrogen electrode consists of a platinum electrode
across which hydrogen gas is bubbled at a pressure of
101 kPa. Because of difficulty in its use and the
potential for poisoning the hydrogen electrode, the
glass electrode commonly is used. The electromotive
force (emf) produced in the glass electrode system
varies linearly with pH. This linear relationship is
described by plotting the measured emf against the pH
of different buffers. Sample pH is determined
by extrapolation (see Fig. (1)). The pH measuring
Figure1: Electrode potential vs. pH
instrument is calibrated potentiometrically

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CE-541: Chemistry in Environmental Engineering

with an indicating (glass) electrode and a reference electrode buffer having assigned values.

2. pH meter calibration
Calibration is a vital process that involves evaluating and adjusting the precision and accuracy of
equipment. This process is often intended to minimize the bias in instrument reading, and it is an
important component of analytical chemistry.

For the pH meter, it is possible to have small changes in electrode output over time, as well as from
one electrode to another. For these reasons, the instrument should be calibrated periodically to
ensure accurate and reliable measurements [3]. Calibration in pH buffer solution corrects for this
change. One, two, or multipoint calibration should be performed using fresh buffer solutions.
Buffer solutions should cover the pH ranges of interest. Generally, three buffer solutions are
required for a multipoint calibration - one buffer solution below pH 7, one at pH 7, and one buffer
solution above pH 7.

3. Objective:
The objective of this lab experiment is to know how to calibrate the pH meter and find the pH
reading of different samples, using a pH meter.

4. Apparatus and Materials

The following are the equipment and materials used:
pH meter (see Fig. (2)), three standard buffer solutions (pH 4, 7, and 10) (Fig. (3)), magnetic stirrer,
beaker, and distilled water for rinsing.

Figure 2: pH meter

Figure 3: three standard buffer solutions (pH

4, 7, and 10

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CE-541: Chemistry in Environmental Engineering

5. Experimental procedure
1. Arrange for the necessary Pyrex glassware that is appropriately washed and dried.
2. Connect the pH electrode and pH meter to the respective power source; make sure the meter
is on.
3. Get to know the pH meter, e.g., the calibration mode.
4. Transfer the pH 4 buffer into one of the beakers, and then insert the pre-washed pH electrode
into it. Make sure that the electrode is properly washed for each new measurement and
secured using the pH meter stand.
5. Gently stir the solution and wait until a stable pH meter reading is reached.
6. If needed, adjust the pH meter reading to 4.
7. Repeat steps 4–6 for the other pH buffers.
8. Your pH meter is calibrated and ready to be used.
9. Now quantify the pH of the given water sample.
10. Clean the pH electrode and secure it into the pH 7 buffer.

6. Results and Discussions

The pH meter has been calibrated as discussed above and the samples are then measured three
times each. Table 1 shows the results of pH readings for the samples i.e., A, B, C. The average of
reading for each sample and standard deviation is then computed.

Table 1: pH Readings, Mean, and Standard Deviation

Sample pH meter Readings Mean pH Standard Deviation (SD)
A 12.76, 12.82, 12.43 12.67 0.21
B 4.12, 3.67, 3.50 3.76 0.32
C 9.03, 9.07, 8.49 8.86 0.32

Sample “A” has a high pH, indicating it is strongly alkaline. The low standard deviation (0.21)
suggests that the readings are consistent and precise, meaning there was little variation in the
measurements. while sample “B” sample is acidic, as its pH is well below 7. The slightly higher
standard deviation (0.32) compared to Sample A indicates more variation in the pH readings, but
the results are still fairly reliable. Whereas sample “C” is slightly alkaline, as its pH is just above 7
and its standard deviation (0.32) is similar to Sample B, showing some variation but still reasonable
accuracy.

7. Conclusion
The pH meter calibration appears to be effective, as the results are within expected ranges for
acidic, neutral, and alkaline samples. Sample A is highly alkaline, Sample B is acidic, and Sample
C is mildly alkaline. The low standard deviations indicate reliable and repeatable pH measurements
in the lab environment.

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CE-541: Chemistry in Environmental Engineering

8. References
1. SORENSON, S. 1909. Über die Messung und die Bedeutung der Wasserstoff ionen
Konzentration bei Enzymatischen Prozessen. Biochem.
Z. 21:131

2.American Public Health Association, editor. Standard methods for the examination of water and
wastewater. American Public Health Association; 2005. Issue 21st edition.

3. https://group.chem.iastate.edu/Holme/augmented-reality-in-educational-laboratories/ph-
meter/calibration.php#:~:text=For%20the%20pH%20meter%2C%20it,ensure%20accurate%20and
%20reliable%20measurement.