To find the pH of the samples by using pH paper/universal indicator - Lab Work

To find the pH of the following samples by using pH paper/universal indicator: Dilute Hydrochloric Acid, Dilute NaOH solution, Dilute Ethanoic Acid solution, Lemon juice, Water and Dilute Sodium Bicarbonate solution

To find the pH of the following samples by using pH paper/universal indicator:
a. Dilute Hydrochloric Acid
b. Dilute NaOH solution
c. Dilute Ethanoic Acid solution
d. Lemon juice
e. Water
f. Dilute Sodium Bicarbonate solution

Theory
The pH is the measure of the acidic (or basic) power of a solution. It is a scale for measuring hydrogen ion concertration in a solution. The pH scale varies from 0 to 14. At 25°C (298 K), a neutral solution has pH equal to 7. A value less than 7 on the pH scale represents an acidic solution whereas basic solution has pH value more than 7.
pH is defined as the negative logarithm(base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration in moles per litre.
pH = -log₁₀[H⁺]

Chemicals Required
Dilute HCl, Dilute NaOH Solution, Dilute CH₃COOH solution, Fresh Lemon juice, Water and Dilute NaHCO₃ solution

Apparatus required
Test tubes, Test Tubes Stand, Dropper, Glass Rod, pH Paper strips and pH colour chart

Procedure 
Step 1: Six clean test tubes is placed in a test tube stand.
Step 2: Dilute HCl, Dilute NaOH Solution, Dilute CH₃COOH solution, Lemon juice, Water and Dilute NaHCO₃ solution are taken separately in six test tubes and labelled.
Step 3: One or two drops of each test solution on different strips of pH papers are put using a glass rod. Glass rod used for one sample must be washed with water before used for the other sample.
Step 4: Note the pH by comparing the colour appeared on the pH paper with those on colour chart for pH paper.
5. For determining the pH of lemon juice, squeeze the fruit and place 1 or 2 drop of the juice on the pH paper.

Observations

Sl. No.	Sample Solution	Colour appeared on pH paper	pH of the solution (Approximate)	Inference
1.	Dilute HCl	Red	1	Strong acid
2.	Dilute NaOH Solution	Purple	14	Strong alkali
3.	Dilute CH3COOH solution	Yellow	3	Weak acid
4.	Lemon juice	Orange	2	Acid
5.	Water	Green	7	Neutral
6.	Dilute NaHCO3 solution	Blue	9	Weak alkali

Results and Discussions
As pH depends upon H⁺ concentration and in an aqueous solution H⁺ and OH^-  ion concentrations are correlated, therefore, every acidic and basic solution shows different colour at different pH.

Precautions
1. The test sample solutions should be freshly prepared and the fruit lemon juice samples should also be fresh.
2. Glass rod used for one sample should be used for the other sample only after washing it with water.
3. Acids must be handled carefully.

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