I checked the pH of a solution using pH strip and it always showed it to be pH 10. Whereas the same solution's pH when measured with a pH meter (calibrated using freshly prepared standard buffers) showed pH 8.5. The pH strip is sensitive enough to clearly distinguish between pH 8 and 10. Which one should be reliable?
pH meters suffer - depending on the type of electrode used - from some drawbacks - including contaminations. And these measurements depend on some buffer capabilities of your sample.
pH strips are not completely 'no-brainers': aging and side-reactions might influence their operation. But if a pH strip book has been tested for accuracy (use the pH meter buffers), I tend to rely on pH strips. This is 'simple and stupid' technology.
If you have two pH meters, compare the readings against a fresh commercial buffer of known pH. If they have the same reading (+/- 0.01), both of them are good. A new electrode should perform well anyway. A pH meter is far more reliable than a strip because the color shades are often too subtle.
notice there will be alkaline error for a glass electrode-based pH meter. I don't know which electrode you are using. Check the supplier if the electrode you are using is good for alkaline solutions.
ALso, I never trust pH strips, there can be a lot of interference
ph meter with a proper electrode.
check alkaline error online and you will get more information about using PH meter in basic solutions
pH meters are reliable provided they are being caliberated regularly. i adjust pH of my buffers using a pH electrode and then cross check it pH strips by Merck. So technically i find pH strips more reliable
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Biochemistry
- Biochemical Techniques
- Analytical Chemistry
- pH