6. Measuring pH of a given solution using pH paper

 

A solution's \(pH\) can be measured using a universal indicator.

 

The universal indicator is a combination of different indicators that produce various colours at various \(pH\) values over the entire scale. It contains a mixture of dyes. It comes in two forms: A solution and \(pH\ \)paper.

  

 

  

In a school laboratory, \(pH\) paper is commonly used to measure the \(pH\) of a solution. A \(pH\) paper is made up of a variety of indicators. At a set of \(pH\), it displays different colours. A colour guide is included with the indicator bottle or the \(pH\) paper strips (strips of paper impregnated with it). A drop of the test solution is either put on the \(pH\) paper or tested with a drop of the universal indicator. The \(pH\) value is calculated by comparing the colour of the solution on the \(pH\) paper to the colour chart. The \(pH\) values thus obtained are approximate values only.