pH measurements
Paul and Judith Simon (70760.1511@CompuServe.COM)
23 May 96 12:58:40 EDT
Be cautious of measuring things like tap water. It's generally not too
meaningful. The total dissolved solids in water can be quite low and be
overwhelmed by absorption of carbon dioxide from the air (your breath) and in
the pH paper or pH solution itself. The same comments apply to paper,
extracting with water, etc. especially if the alkali in the paper is calcium
carbonate, chalk. It doesn't dissolve very well in water.
Titration to measure total buffered alkalinity would have some meaning for a
paper, but not marking it with a pH pen. With these low amounts of total
dissolved solids however this is no trivial task for a chemist, believe me!
Paul Simon 70760.1511@compuserve.com