: pH – Problem Solving (OCR A Level Chemistry)

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PAG 11.1: pH – Problem Solving

Testing the pH of different solutions

  • According to the Practical Activities Support Guide published by OCR:
    • In PAG 11.1, students will be given a number of colourless solutions that could be acids and / or alkalis
    • Students are to plan and implement a practical procedure to work out the identity of each solution
  • However, the key skill / technique for Practical Activity Group 11 is the measurement of pH using charts, meters and probes attached to data loggers
  • Therefore, the aim of this practical will be to test a range of solutions using a combined sequence of tests
  • The solutions given could be the following:
Solution Approximate pH
Ammonia  11.00
Ethanoic acid  2.90
Hydrochloric acid  1.10
Sulfuric acid  1.00
Methanoic acid 2.40
Sodium hydroxide  13.00
Ethanoate buffer solution 4.76

Method

Test 1 - Addition of universal indicator 

  • Add 5 cm3 of each solution to separate test tubes
  • Add universal indicator solution to each test tube
  • Record the pH’s of each solution in a results table
    • Use the colour chart to identify the correct pH

Universal Indicator pH Scale

Universal indicator pH chart 

Test 2 - Using a pH probe 

  • Before completing this test, the pH probe will need calibrating
    • After storage, a pH meter does not give accurate readings because the glass electrode in the pH meter does not give a reproducible emf over longer periods of time
  • Calibration of a pH probe 
    • Rinse the pH probe with distilled water and shaken to remove excess water
    • Place the tip of the pH probe in pH 4 buffer solution, ensuring the bulb is fully immersed 
    • Allow to sit until the pH stabilises 
    • Adjust reading to the pH of the buffer
    • Repeat this process, including the washing with distilled water with a pH 9 buffer solution
  • Once calibrated, the tip of the pH probe is rinsed with distilled water and shaken to remove excess water
  • The tip is placed in the unknown solution, again, ensuring the bulb is fully immersed 
  • The pH is allowed to stabilise and then the reading recorded in a results table
    • In practice, recalibration may sometimes be required during testing
  • This process can then be repeated for each unknown solution

Test 3 - Using phenolphthalein indicator 

  • This can be done with a spotting tile
  • Add a few drops of each solution to a labelled spotting tile (so each solution can be identified)
  • Add 1 drop of phenolphthalein in each well
  • Record observations in a results table 

Specimen results 

Solution Test 1 - Using UI Test 2 - pH probe Test 3 - Phenolphthalein
Ammonia  Pale blue = pH 10 10.39 Turns pink
Ethanoic acid  Orange = pH 3  2.89 No change
Hydrochloric acid  Red = pH 1 1.20 No change
Sulfuric acid  Red = pH 1 1.46 No change
Methanoic acid Pink = pH 2 2.30 No change
Sodium hydroxide  Purple = pH 14 13.60 Turns pink
Ethanoate buffer  Orange = pH 3 2.96 No change

Examiner Tip

  • Due to the potential variation in results, you would be given more guidance or more information about the unknown solutions in order to be able to identify them 

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Philippa

Author: Philippa

Expertise: Chemistry

Philippa has worked as a GCSE and A level chemistry teacher and tutor for over thirteen years. She studied chemistry and sport science at Loughborough University graduating in 2007 having also completed her PGCE in science. Throughout her time as a teacher she was incharge of a boarding house for five years and coached many teams in a variety of sports. When not producing resources with the chemistry team, Philippa enjoys being active outside with her young family and is a very keen gardener.