Class Example: Measurement of pH and Hardness

1. What is the relationship (a) between pH and hydrogen ion activity, and (b) pH and

hydroxide ion activity?

2. What type of electrode is used for pH measurements, and how is it calibrated?

3. What is hardness in water and by what is it caused?

4. For what reasons is hardness in water undesirable?

5. What is the difference between permanent and temporary hardness?

 Solutions

1. What is the relationship (a) between pH and hydrogen ion activity, and (b) pH and

hydroxide ion activity?

Solution:

(a) pH = - log [H+]

(b) pH = 14 - log [OH-]

2. What type of electrode is used for pH measurements, and how is it calibrated?

Solution:

Glass electrode. It is calibrated with buffer solutions of known pH (4, 7, 10), having a

pH within 1 to 14 units of the sample being measured.

3. What is hardness in water and by what is it caused?

Solution:

 Hardness is a property of water that causes the consumption of soap and

formation of scale in boilers.

 It is caused by the presence of multivalent metallic cations, especially calcium,

magnesium, and strontium.

4. For what reasons is hardness in water undesirable?

Solution:

 Hardness is undesirable primarily because the hardness-causing cations react with

soap to form scum, which adversely affects cleaning activities, and increases

costs for soap.

 The hardness causing cations also form scales upon heating that coat kettles,

pipes, and boilers.

5. What is the difference between permanent and temporary hardness?

Solution:

 Temporary hardness is hardness associated with alkalinity.

 When water is boiled, carbonate is formed from alkalinity, causing precipitation

of calcium carbonate, thus the hardness of the water decreases.

 Permanent hardness is hardness that is not removed by boiling, and is the portion

of hardness with concentration higher than that of the water alkalinity.