pH of Solutions

Important equations
pH = -log = log-1 (-pH)

pOH = -log = log-1 (-pOH)

pH + pOH = 14
Methods of Determining pH
1. Colorimetric method- method that makes use of
indicators
Universal indicators mixture of indicators whose effective
pH ranges cover a wide range.
Indicator pH range Color change
Methyl red- 4.5 6.0 Purple - green
methylene blue
Methyl orange 3.1 4.4 Red - yellow
Phenolphalein 8.3 10 Colorless - red
Bromophenol blue 3.0 4.6 Yellow-blue
Phenol red 6.8 8.4 Yellow -red
Limitations of colorimetric method

1. Addition of indicators to poorly buffered solutions tend to

change the pH of the solution because indicators are weak
acid or bases themselves.
2. Increased in temperature of the solution affect the pH
because of the increased dissociation of water
3. Deeply colored and turbid solutions do not allow the
passage of light freely, thus affecting the observed color
4. Presence of interfering agents in the solution like proteins,
organic solvents, heavy metals, oxidizing and reducing
agents may affect the pH of the solution
Methods of Determining pH
2. Electrometric method a method that makes
use of a pH meter

3. Use of pH paper
Buffer Solutions
Buffer solution a solution that resists drastic changes in
pH when small amounts of acid or base is added.
- Contains weak acids and their salts
HA H+ + A- Ka

Henderson Hasselbalch Equation useful equation in

the preparation of buffer solutions

pH = pKa + log
Ionization of Weak acids
Monoprotic acids:
HOAc H+ + OAc- Ka = 1.8 X 10-5

Ka =

Polyprotic Acids
H3PO4 H+ + H2PO4- Ka1
H2PO4- H+ + HPO42- Ka2
HPO42- H+ + PO43- Ka3
Buffer Capacity
Buffer Action resistance of a buffer solution to a change in
hydrogen ion concentration
Buffer capacity measure of the resistance of a buffer to pH
changeupon addition of increments of strong acid or base
Maximum buffering activity occurs when
=1

The maximum buffering capacity occurs at pH = pKa 1

Buffer Capacity
To determine the buffer capacity of a buffer soln
Buffer capacity =

pH = pH before adding acid pH after adding acid

or
pH = pH after adding base pH before adding base
To determine pH after adding an acid, (a) or base (b)
pH = pKa + log

pH = pKa + log