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Technical 
pH Reference 
Introduction to pH 
INTRODUCTION 
pH is a unit of measure which describes 
the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a 
solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 
to 14. The term pH is derived from “p,” 
the mathematical symbol for negative 
logarithm, and “H,” the chemical symbol 
for Hydrogen. The formal definition 
of pH is: the negative logarithm of 
Hydrogen ion activity. 
pH = -log[H+] 
pH provides needed quantitative 
information by expressing the degree of 
activity of an acid or base in terms of its 
hydrogen ion activity. 
The pH value of a substance is directly 
related to the ratio of hydrogen ion [H+] 
and hydroxyl ion [OH-] concentrations. 
If the H+ concentration is greater than 
the OH-, the material is acidic; i.e., 
the pH value is less than 7. If the OH-concentration 
is greater than its H+, the 
material is basic, with a pH value greater 
than 7. If equal numbers of H+ and OH-ions 
are present, the material is neutral, 
with a pH of 7. 
Acids and bases have free hydrogen 
and hydroxyl ions, respectively. Since 
the relationship between hydrogen 
ions and hydroxyl ions in a given 
solution is constant for a given set of 
conditions, either one can be determined 
by knowing the other. Thus, pH is 
a measurement of both acidity and 
alkalinity, even though by definition it is 
a selective measurement of hydrogen 
ion activity. Since pH is a logarithmic 
function, a change of one unit of 
pH represents a ten-fold change in 
hydrogen ion concentration. Table 
1 shows the concentration of both 
hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions at 
different pH values. 
THE MOLAR CONCEPT 
A mole of a compound is defined as 
Avogadro’s number of molecules 
(6.02 x 1023 molecules), which has 
a mass approximately equal to the 
molecular weight, expressed in grams. 
For example, sodium hydroxide, NaOH, 
which has a molecular weight of 
23 + 16 + 1 = 40, would have 40 grams 
in a mole. Since the atomic weight of the 
hydrogen ion (H+) is one (1), there is 
one gram of hydrogen ions in a mole of 
hydrogen. A solution with a pH of 
10 has 1 x 10-10 moles of hydrogen ions, 
or 10-10 grams in a one liter solution. 
IONIZATION 
An ion is a charged particle, created by 
an atom or molecule which has either 
gained or lost one or more electrons. 
The presence of ions in solution allows 
electrical energy to pass through the 
solution as a conductor. Different 
compounds form ions in solution in 
different amounts, depending on the 
ability of the atoms to gain or lose 
electrons. They will dissociate (or ionize) 
in solution to form hydrogen (H+) or 
hydroxyl (OH-) ions in the solution. 
Molecules that dissociate easily form 
strong acids or bases when in aqueous 
solution (water solvent). Examples of 
these are hydrochloric acid (HCI) or 
sodium hydroxide (NaOH): 
HCI + H2O → H3O+ + CI-NaOH 
→ Na+ + OH-In 
an aqueous solution, hydrogen ions 
normally combine with the water solvent 
to form the hydronium ion (H3O+). 
pH measurements of these solutions 
are therefore measurements of the 
hydronium ion concentration. Normally, 
the terms “hydronium ion” and “hydrogen 
ion” are used interchangeably in pH 
measurement applications. 
Some compounds form weak acids or 
bases; only a very small percentage of 
such compounds dissociates into its 
constituent ions, so very few hydrogen or 
hydroxyl ions are formed. An example of 
this is acetic acid, which forms less than 
one hydrogen ion for every one hundred 
molecules: 
H2O + CH3COOH → H3O+ + 
CH3COO-Pure 
water also dissociates weakly, with 
10-7 hydrogen and 10-7 hydroxyl ions 
formed for every water molecule at 25°C: 
2H2O → H3O+ + OH-The 
addition of acid to water increases 
the concentration of hydrogen ions 
and reduces the concentration of 
hydroxyl ions. A base added to water 
has the opposite effect, increasing the 
concentration of hydroxyl ions and 
reducing the concentration of 
hydrogen ions: 
H2O + HCI → H3O+ + CI-H2O 
+ NaOH → Na+ + H2O + OH-There 
is a wide variety of applications 
for pH measurement. For example, pH 
measurement and control is the key to 
the successful purification of drinking 
water, the manufacture of sugar, 
sewage treatment, food processing, 
electroplating, and the effectiveness 
and safety of medicines, cosmetics, 
etc. Plants require the soil to be within 
a certain pH range in order to grow 
properly, and animals can sicken or die 
if their blood pH level is not within the 
correct limits. Figure 1, next page, gives 
pH values for some common industrial 
and household products. 
pH MEASUREMENT 
A rough indication of pH can be obtained 
using pH papers or indicators, which 
change color as pH level varies. These 
indicators have limitations on their 
accuracy, and can be difficult to interpret 
correctly in colored or murky samples. 
More accurate pH measurements 
are obtained using a pH meter. A 
pH measurement system consists of 
four components: a pH measuring 
electrode, a reference electrode, a high 
input impedance meter, and a sample 
of the material to be measured. The 
pH electrode can be thought of as a 
battery, with a voltage that varies with 
the pH of the measured solution. The 
pH measuring electrode is a hydrogen 
ion-sensitive glass bulb, with a millivolt 
output that varies with changes in the 
relative hydrogen ion concentration 
inside and outside the bulb. 
HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION 
IN MOLES/LITER AT 25°C (77°F) 
Table 1 
pH H+ OH- 
0 (100) 1 0.00000000000001 (10-14) 
1 (10-1) 0.1 0.0000000000001 (10-13) 
2 (10-2) 0.01 0.000000000001 (10-12) 
3 (10-3) 0.001 0.00000000001 (10-11) 
4 (10-4) 0.0001 0.0000000001 (10-10) 
5 (10-5) 0.00001 0.000000001 (10-9) 
6 (10-6) 0.000001 0.00000001 (10-8) 
7 (10-7) 0.0000001 0.0000001 (10-7) 
8 (10-8) 0.00000001 0.000001 (10-6) 
9 (10-9) 0.000000001 0.00001 (10-5) 
10 (10-10) 0.0000000001 0.0001 (10-4) 
11 (10-11) 0.00000000001 0.001 (10-3) 
12 (10-12) 0.000000000001 0.01 (10-2) 
13 (10-13) 0.0000000000001 0.1 (10-1) 
14 (10-14) 0.00000000000001 1 (100) 
To order, call 1-800-826-6342 or shop online at omega.comSM 1
Technical 
MID-POINTS OF pH RANGES 
FOR PROCESS CONTROL 
pH VALUES OF SOME 
COMMON SUBSTANCES 
EXTREMELY ALKALINE 
BOTTLE WASHING 
COPPER PLATING 
BRASS PLATING 
14.0 
13.0 
12.0 
11.0 
10.0 
9.0 
8.0 
7.0 
6.0 
5.0 
4.0 
3.0 
2.0 
1.0 
0.0 
LIME-SODA 
SOFTENING 
SALT WATER AQUARIUM 
SWIMMING POOL WATER 
FRESH WATER AQUARIUM 
BREWING PROCESS 
NICKEL PLATING 
FOOD PROCESSING 
PICKLE PROCESSING 
PHOTOENGRAVING 
EXTREMELY ACID 
HOUSEHOLD LYE 
BLEACH 
AMMONIA 
MILK OF MAGNESIA 
BORAX 
BAKING SODA 
SEA WATER 
BLOOD 
DISTILLED WATER 
MILK 
CORN 
BORIC ACID 
ORANGE JUICE 
VINEGAR 
LEMON JUICE 
BATTERY ACID 
Figure 1 
The reference electrode output does not 
vary with the activity of the hydrogen ion. 
The pH electrode has very high internal 
resistance, making the voltage change 
with pH difficult to measure. The input 
impedance of the pH meter and leakage 
resistances are therefore important 
factors. The pH meter is basically a high 
impedance amplifier that accurately 
measures the minute electrode voltages 
and displays the results directly in pH 
units on either an analog or digital 
display. In some cases, voltages can 
also be read for special applications 
or for use with ion-select or Oxidation- 
Reduction Potential (ORP) electrodes. 
TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION 
Temperature compensation is contained 
within the instrument, because pH 
electrodes and measurements are 
temperature sensitive. The temperature 
compensation can be either manual or 
automatic. With manual compensation, 
a separate temperature measurement 
is required, and the pH meter’s manual 
compensation control can be set with 
the approximate temperature value. With 
automatic temperature compensation 
(ATC), the signal from a separate 
temperature probe is fed into the 
pH meter, so that it can accurately 
determine the pH value of the sample at 
that temperature. 
BUFFER SOLUTIONS 
Buffers are solutions that have constant 
pH values and the ability to resist 
changes in pH level. They are used to 
calibrate the pH measurement system 
(electrode and meter). There can be 
small differences between the output 
of one electrode and another, as well 
as changes in the output of electrodes 
over time. Therefore, each system must 
be calibrated periodically. Buffers are 
available with a wide range of pH values, 
and they come in both in premixed 
liquid form or as convenient dry powder 
capsules. Most pH meters require 
calibration at several specific pH values. 
One calibration is usually performed 
near the isopotential point (the signal 
produced by an electrode at pH 7 is 
0 mV at 25°C/77°F), and a second is 
typically performed at either pH 4 or pH 
10. It is best to select a buffer as close 
as possible to the actual pH value of the 
sample to be measured. 
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS 
As previously stated, the pH electrode 
is temperature dependent, and may 
be compensated for in the pH meter 
circuitry. The circuitry of the pH meter 
utilizes the Nernst equation, which is 
a general mathematical description of 
electrode behavior. 
E = Ex + _2_.3_R__T_K_ log (ai) 
nF 
where: 
Ex = constant (depending upon 
reference electrode) 
R = constant 
TK = absolute temperature (Kelvin) 
n = charge of the ion (including sign) 
F = constant 
ai = activity of the ion 
For pH measurement, we are interested 
in the hydrogen ion for H+: 
2.3RTK 
________ 
= 59.16 mV 
nF 
where: n = 1 and T = 25°C. This term 
is commonly known as the Nernst 
coefficient. Since pH is defined as the 
negative logarithm of hydrogen ion 
activity, the general equation at any 
temperature can be expressed as: 
E = Ex – 1.98 TKpH 
Changes in the temperature of a solution 
will alter the millivolt output of the glass 
pH electrode in accordance with the 
Nernst equation. Variation in electrode 
sensitivity with temperature is a linear 
function, and most pH meters have 
circuitry designed to compensate for 
this effect. 
2 To order, call 1-800-826-6342 or shop online at omega.comSM
Technical 
PHE-6510, electrode with PHEH-65-10, 
mounting assembly and cable. 
10°C (50°F) 
15°C (59°F) 
20°C (68°F) 
25°C (77°F) 
30°C (86°F) 
35°C (95°F) 
40°C (104°F) 
PHH-128 
PHE-1411 
general 
purpose 
electrode 
for samples 
requiring 
double 
junction. 
Temperature 
PHE-1311 
general 
purpose 
electrode. 
PHETX-610 
compression 
fitting pH 
electrode. 
ORE-1411 double junction ORP 
electrode for interfering ions. 
BNC connector 
standard. 
ORE-1311 
general 
purpose 
ORP 
electrode. 
Glass Electrode Error 
in pH Units 
Automatic Temperature 
Compensation becomes 
more critical as the temperature 
changes from 25°C (77°F), 
or the pH from 7.0 
PHETX-600 
11⁄2 NPT pH 
transmitter. 
PHETX-620, hot tap 
pH transmitter with 
PHE-620-BVA, PVC 
hot tap ball valve. 
PHE-1304 
economy 
electrode. 
All models 
shown 
smaller than 
actual size. 
59 mV per decade at 25°C (77°F) 
52 mV per decade at 0°C (32°F) 
74 mV per decade at 100°C (212°F) 
PHH-7011 pocket tester 
Each electrode 
supplied with 
either BNC 
(shown) or US 
standard 
connector. 
PHE-1417 
economical 
electrode 
with double 
PTFE 
junction. 
PHE-2385 
rugged puncture 
tip electrode for 
meats, cheeses 
and leather. 
PHB21 
benchtop meter. 
For Complete Details 
and Pricing on the 
Products Shown Here, 
Visit omega.com 
H+ (Hydrogen Ions) OH– (Hydroxyl Ions) 
Acid Neutral Alkaline 
pH 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 
mV @ + + + + + + + – – – – – – – 
25°C 414 355 296 237 177 118 59 00 59 118 117 237 296 355 414 
(77°F) 
To order, call 1-800-826-6342 or shop online at omega.comSM 3

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Introduction to pH Measurement and Acidity Scales

  • 1. Technical pH Reference Introduction to pH INTRODUCTION pH is a unit of measure which describes the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. The term pH is derived from “p,” the mathematical symbol for negative logarithm, and “H,” the chemical symbol for Hydrogen. The formal definition of pH is: the negative logarithm of Hydrogen ion activity. pH = -log[H+] pH provides needed quantitative information by expressing the degree of activity of an acid or base in terms of its hydrogen ion activity. The pH value of a substance is directly related to the ratio of hydrogen ion [H+] and hydroxyl ion [OH-] concentrations. If the H+ concentration is greater than the OH-, the material is acidic; i.e., the pH value is less than 7. If the OH-concentration is greater than its H+, the material is basic, with a pH value greater than 7. If equal numbers of H+ and OH-ions are present, the material is neutral, with a pH of 7. Acids and bases have free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, respectively. Since the relationship between hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions in a given solution is constant for a given set of conditions, either one can be determined by knowing the other. Thus, pH is a measurement of both acidity and alkalinity, even though by definition it is a selective measurement of hydrogen ion activity. Since pH is a logarithmic function, a change of one unit of pH represents a ten-fold change in hydrogen ion concentration. Table 1 shows the concentration of both hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions at different pH values. THE MOLAR CONCEPT A mole of a compound is defined as Avogadro’s number of molecules (6.02 x 1023 molecules), which has a mass approximately equal to the molecular weight, expressed in grams. For example, sodium hydroxide, NaOH, which has a molecular weight of 23 + 16 + 1 = 40, would have 40 grams in a mole. Since the atomic weight of the hydrogen ion (H+) is one (1), there is one gram of hydrogen ions in a mole of hydrogen. A solution with a pH of 10 has 1 x 10-10 moles of hydrogen ions, or 10-10 grams in a one liter solution. IONIZATION An ion is a charged particle, created by an atom or molecule which has either gained or lost one or more electrons. The presence of ions in solution allows electrical energy to pass through the solution as a conductor. Different compounds form ions in solution in different amounts, depending on the ability of the atoms to gain or lose electrons. They will dissociate (or ionize) in solution to form hydrogen (H+) or hydroxyl (OH-) ions in the solution. Molecules that dissociate easily form strong acids or bases when in aqueous solution (water solvent). Examples of these are hydrochloric acid (HCI) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH): HCI + H2O → H3O+ + CI-NaOH → Na+ + OH-In an aqueous solution, hydrogen ions normally combine with the water solvent to form the hydronium ion (H3O+). pH measurements of these solutions are therefore measurements of the hydronium ion concentration. Normally, the terms “hydronium ion” and “hydrogen ion” are used interchangeably in pH measurement applications. Some compounds form weak acids or bases; only a very small percentage of such compounds dissociates into its constituent ions, so very few hydrogen or hydroxyl ions are formed. An example of this is acetic acid, which forms less than one hydrogen ion for every one hundred molecules: H2O + CH3COOH → H3O+ + CH3COO-Pure water also dissociates weakly, with 10-7 hydrogen and 10-7 hydroxyl ions formed for every water molecule at 25°C: 2H2O → H3O+ + OH-The addition of acid to water increases the concentration of hydrogen ions and reduces the concentration of hydroxyl ions. A base added to water has the opposite effect, increasing the concentration of hydroxyl ions and reducing the concentration of hydrogen ions: H2O + HCI → H3O+ + CI-H2O + NaOH → Na+ + H2O + OH-There is a wide variety of applications for pH measurement. For example, pH measurement and control is the key to the successful purification of drinking water, the manufacture of sugar, sewage treatment, food processing, electroplating, and the effectiveness and safety of medicines, cosmetics, etc. Plants require the soil to be within a certain pH range in order to grow properly, and animals can sicken or die if their blood pH level is not within the correct limits. Figure 1, next page, gives pH values for some common industrial and household products. pH MEASUREMENT A rough indication of pH can be obtained using pH papers or indicators, which change color as pH level varies. These indicators have limitations on their accuracy, and can be difficult to interpret correctly in colored or murky samples. More accurate pH measurements are obtained using a pH meter. A pH measurement system consists of four components: a pH measuring electrode, a reference electrode, a high input impedance meter, and a sample of the material to be measured. The pH electrode can be thought of as a battery, with a voltage that varies with the pH of the measured solution. The pH measuring electrode is a hydrogen ion-sensitive glass bulb, with a millivolt output that varies with changes in the relative hydrogen ion concentration inside and outside the bulb. HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION IN MOLES/LITER AT 25°C (77°F) Table 1 pH H+ OH- 0 (100) 1 0.00000000000001 (10-14) 1 (10-1) 0.1 0.0000000000001 (10-13) 2 (10-2) 0.01 0.000000000001 (10-12) 3 (10-3) 0.001 0.00000000001 (10-11) 4 (10-4) 0.0001 0.0000000001 (10-10) 5 (10-5) 0.00001 0.000000001 (10-9) 6 (10-6) 0.000001 0.00000001 (10-8) 7 (10-7) 0.0000001 0.0000001 (10-7) 8 (10-8) 0.00000001 0.000001 (10-6) 9 (10-9) 0.000000001 0.00001 (10-5) 10 (10-10) 0.0000000001 0.0001 (10-4) 11 (10-11) 0.00000000001 0.001 (10-3) 12 (10-12) 0.000000000001 0.01 (10-2) 13 (10-13) 0.0000000000001 0.1 (10-1) 14 (10-14) 0.00000000000001 1 (100) To order, call 1-800-826-6342 or shop online at omega.comSM 1
  • 2. Technical MID-POINTS OF pH RANGES FOR PROCESS CONTROL pH VALUES OF SOME COMMON SUBSTANCES EXTREMELY ALKALINE BOTTLE WASHING COPPER PLATING BRASS PLATING 14.0 13.0 12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 LIME-SODA SOFTENING SALT WATER AQUARIUM SWIMMING POOL WATER FRESH WATER AQUARIUM BREWING PROCESS NICKEL PLATING FOOD PROCESSING PICKLE PROCESSING PHOTOENGRAVING EXTREMELY ACID HOUSEHOLD LYE BLEACH AMMONIA MILK OF MAGNESIA BORAX BAKING SODA SEA WATER BLOOD DISTILLED WATER MILK CORN BORIC ACID ORANGE JUICE VINEGAR LEMON JUICE BATTERY ACID Figure 1 The reference electrode output does not vary with the activity of the hydrogen ion. The pH electrode has very high internal resistance, making the voltage change with pH difficult to measure. The input impedance of the pH meter and leakage resistances are therefore important factors. The pH meter is basically a high impedance amplifier that accurately measures the minute electrode voltages and displays the results directly in pH units on either an analog or digital display. In some cases, voltages can also be read for special applications or for use with ion-select or Oxidation- Reduction Potential (ORP) electrodes. TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION Temperature compensation is contained within the instrument, because pH electrodes and measurements are temperature sensitive. The temperature compensation can be either manual or automatic. With manual compensation, a separate temperature measurement is required, and the pH meter’s manual compensation control can be set with the approximate temperature value. With automatic temperature compensation (ATC), the signal from a separate temperature probe is fed into the pH meter, so that it can accurately determine the pH value of the sample at that temperature. BUFFER SOLUTIONS Buffers are solutions that have constant pH values and the ability to resist changes in pH level. They are used to calibrate the pH measurement system (electrode and meter). There can be small differences between the output of one electrode and another, as well as changes in the output of electrodes over time. Therefore, each system must be calibrated periodically. Buffers are available with a wide range of pH values, and they come in both in premixed liquid form or as convenient dry powder capsules. Most pH meters require calibration at several specific pH values. One calibration is usually performed near the isopotential point (the signal produced by an electrode at pH 7 is 0 mV at 25°C/77°F), and a second is typically performed at either pH 4 or pH 10. It is best to select a buffer as close as possible to the actual pH value of the sample to be measured. TEMPERATURE EFFECTS As previously stated, the pH electrode is temperature dependent, and may be compensated for in the pH meter circuitry. The circuitry of the pH meter utilizes the Nernst equation, which is a general mathematical description of electrode behavior. E = Ex + _2_.3_R__T_K_ log (ai) nF where: Ex = constant (depending upon reference electrode) R = constant TK = absolute temperature (Kelvin) n = charge of the ion (including sign) F = constant ai = activity of the ion For pH measurement, we are interested in the hydrogen ion for H+: 2.3RTK ________ = 59.16 mV nF where: n = 1 and T = 25°C. This term is commonly known as the Nernst coefficient. Since pH is defined as the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion activity, the general equation at any temperature can be expressed as: E = Ex – 1.98 TKpH Changes in the temperature of a solution will alter the millivolt output of the glass pH electrode in accordance with the Nernst equation. Variation in electrode sensitivity with temperature is a linear function, and most pH meters have circuitry designed to compensate for this effect. 2 To order, call 1-800-826-6342 or shop online at omega.comSM
  • 3. Technical PHE-6510, electrode with PHEH-65-10, mounting assembly and cable. 10°C (50°F) 15°C (59°F) 20°C (68°F) 25°C (77°F) 30°C (86°F) 35°C (95°F) 40°C (104°F) PHH-128 PHE-1411 general purpose electrode for samples requiring double junction. Temperature PHE-1311 general purpose electrode. PHETX-610 compression fitting pH electrode. ORE-1411 double junction ORP electrode for interfering ions. BNC connector standard. ORE-1311 general purpose ORP electrode. Glass Electrode Error in pH Units Automatic Temperature Compensation becomes more critical as the temperature changes from 25°C (77°F), or the pH from 7.0 PHETX-600 11⁄2 NPT pH transmitter. PHETX-620, hot tap pH transmitter with PHE-620-BVA, PVC hot tap ball valve. PHE-1304 economy electrode. All models shown smaller than actual size. 59 mV per decade at 25°C (77°F) 52 mV per decade at 0°C (32°F) 74 mV per decade at 100°C (212°F) PHH-7011 pocket tester Each electrode supplied with either BNC (shown) or US standard connector. PHE-1417 economical electrode with double PTFE junction. PHE-2385 rugged puncture tip electrode for meats, cheeses and leather. PHB21 benchtop meter. For Complete Details and Pricing on the Products Shown Here, Visit omega.com H+ (Hydrogen Ions) OH– (Hydroxyl Ions) Acid Neutral Alkaline pH 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 mV @ + + + + + + + – – – – – – – 25°C 414 355 296 237 177 118 59 00 59 118 117 237 296 355 414 (77°F) To order, call 1-800-826-6342 or shop online at omega.comSM 3