Addition of Water to Ph Paper

Addition of Water to pH Paper

Name

 Institution

Potential of hydrogen denoted as pH is the measure of hydrogen ion concentration in an aqueous substance.  The pH uses a scale indicates the level of acidity or alkalinity in substance.  Acidic substances have a pH ranging from 0 to 6.9 while basic substances have pH ranging from 7.1 to 14.0. Neutral substances have a pH of 7.0 hence it is a polar solvent.  It is the reason why scientists argue that substances without water give a meaningless reading.

Wetting pH paper before testing for the pH level of a substance affects the result of the test. It is because water being a polar substance contains both hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions.  In cases of acidic substances, wetting the pH reduces the acidity hence the result will show a weaker acid compared to the actual value (Hubbe, 2007, p.132).  It is because it will reduce the hydrogen ions concentration in the substance.  Wetting of a pH paper reduces the level of hydroxyl ions in the substance in a basic substance.  It will show a less basic solution.  In cases of gasses, the use of moist litmus papers affects the accuracy of the results obtained.

When testing for the pH of unknown substances, they may react when in contact with water hence putting the person testing the pH at risk.  In addition, some polar substances when added to water gives the solution more distribution power and may make the most dangerous.  

In conclusion, wetting of pH paper before testing for substances helps in getting their pH level.  However, the results obtained may be inaccurate.  In addition, the reaction between water and some substances may be dangerous.

Reference

Hubbe, M. A. (2007). Paper’s resistance to wetting–A review of internal sizing chemicals and their effects. BioResources, 2(1), 106-145.