
Meaning of pH



In this standard, pH means a value determined based on the definition of the pH scale. It does not have any strict physical and chemical meaning.


When representing the pH values of two solutions, with solution X and solution S at the same temperature, for pH (X) and pH (S), the difference between those pH values is defined by formula (2)
where Ex is the electromotive force of a battery with a glass electrode and reference electrode placed in solution X, and Es is the electromotive force of a battery with a glass electrode and reference electrode placed in solution S.
R: gas constant of 8.3144J/.C¥ mol
T: absolute temperature of t.C+ 273.15
F: Faraday constant of 96495 C/g-equiv.
In formula (2), the same units of measure must be used in the denominator and numerator.
R: gas constant of 8.3144J/.C¥ mol
T: absolute temperature of t.C+ 273.15
F: Faraday constant of 96495 C/g-equiv.
In formula (2), the same units of measure must be used in the denominator and numerator.
Table 1--Values of 2.3026RT/F
Temp(.C) |
2.3026RT^FmV |
Temp(.C) |
2.3026RT^FmV |
0 |
54.19 |
50 |
64.11 |
5 |
55.19 |
55 |
65.11 |
10 |
56.18 |
60 |
66.10 |
15 |
57.17 |
65 |
67.09 |
20 |
58.16 |
70 |
68.08 |
25 |
59.15 |
75 |
69.07 |
30 |
60.15 |
80 |
70.07 |
35 |
61.14 |
85 |
71.06 |
40 |
62.13 |
90 |
72.05 |
45 |
63.12 |
95 |
73.04 |
The definition represented by formula (2) means that the pH of all solutions are measured in reference to the known pH of a reference solution. That solution is 0.05 mol/l phthalate solution. the pH of which is 4.000 at 15.C.
