Why are buffer solutions used to calibrate the pH meter?

Table
  1. Why is a buffer solution used for pH meter calibration?
  2. The reasons why tampons are best for this purpose are as follows.
  3. Which buffer solution is used for calibrating the pH meter?
  4. Why is 3-point calibration used to calibrate the pH meter?
  5. What buffer solution is used to store the pH electrode and why is it chosen?

The buffer solution is used to calibrate the pH meter because it is resistant to changes in pH. Therefore, we use a standard buffer solution with a known pH to configure pH meters to display these results. When using a pH meter to test pH, we want to confirm that the meter reads pH = 7.00 and the pH is 7.00.

We probably used standard, commercially available calibration buffers, which are sold as tablets or capsules that dissolve in deionized water or ready-to-use solutions. Standard calibration solutions used for electrode calibration have a pH of 25°C.

Please note that high pH buffers are less stable as they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, lowering their pH. Simply open the bottle to pour the buffer into the beaker during calibration; the bottle is never left open.

Contents:

  1. Why do we use a buffer solution?
  2. Why tampons are the best
  3. What buffer solution is used
  4. Why is 3-point calibration used?
  5. Storage of pH electrodes

It should also be noted that the pH of the buffer solution varies with temperature. For example, at 80°C, the pH of potassium hydrogen phthalate solution (C8H5KO4) is 04.16. Many pH meters do not automatically adjust for these variations, although they provide automatic temperature correction during the measurement.

There is a membrane in the pH meter, which lets the H+ ions pass, which lets the current pass, creates tensions. The voltage is estimated by the pH meter and it is revealed to you which standard buffer you are in, after which the pH meter compares the voltage of your unrecognized solution with the buffer to decide the pH of the samples. Standard buffer solutions are set to a specific pH. They can usually be obtained from the manufacturer or prepared yourself, and these buffers are important for the proper functioning of the pH meter.

Why is a buffer solution used for pH meter calibration?

The buffer solution is used to calibrate the pH meter because it is resistant to changes in pH. Therefore, we use a standard buffer solution with a known pH to configure pH meters to display these results. A buffer solution is an aqueous combination of a weak acid and its conjugate base, or vice versa. Buffer solutions are used in a variety of chemical applications as a means of maintaining the pH at an almost constant value.

The reasons why tampons are best for this purpose are as follows.

  • Buffer solutions are easy to prepare for a given pH.
  • Buffer solutions are stable for a long time.
  • If you add a little acid or base or even water, they are resistant to pH change.
  • Buffer solutions maintain the accuracy of the pH meter.
  • The prepared buffer solution can be readily available in the market and is inexpensive.

Which buffer solution is used for calibrating the pH meter?

Three kinds of buffer solutions pH 04.00, pH 07.00 and pH 9.20 are used to calibrate the pH meter. Prepared standard buffer solutions are commercially available or can be prepared in the laboratory according to the procedure indicated in the monograph.

These buffer solutions make it easy to see the precise pH value, because when using a pH meter, we want to be sure that the pH meter is showing the correct measurement. Buffer solutions provide results accurate to within ±0.01 pH at 25°C. Prepared standard buffer solutions are commercially available or can be prepared in the laboratory according to the procedure indicated in the monograph.

Why is 3-point calibration used to calibrate the pH meter?

To ensure the accuracy of the readings, it is necessary to calibrate with a three-point calibration using different buffer solutions such as pH 04.00, 07.00 and 09.20, which covers the entire range of pH i.e. acidic, basic and neutral.

A pH meter uses the Nernst equation to calculate the pH of the sample solution. A 2 or 3 point calibration, with 2 or 3 different buffer solutions is usually sufficient for calibration, as the meter's electronic logic will calculate the intermediate pH values.

What buffer solution is used to store the pH electrode and why is it chosen?

Manufacturers of pH electrodes often recommend storing them in 04 M KCl solution. Use 4 M pH buffer solution if 4 M KCl is not available. If you keep the electrode in distilled or deionized water, the ions will leak out of the glass bulb, rendering it useless.

The pH sensitive electrode is normally glass, while the reference electrode is usually silver-silver chloride. The potential difference between the two sides of the glass electrode is measured with the pH electrode.

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