Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Why KCl is used in pH meter

The basic parts of a pH meter are the glass electrode, reference electrode, electrolyte solution, temperature sensor, etc. It is the most commonly used instrument in our lab for research, industrial or practical purposes.

To obtain accurate results, it is necessary to calibrate the device regularly and keep the pH electrode moist. Therefore a manufacturer advises storing the pH electrode in 4M KCl or pH 04 solutions and it does not require storing in distilled or deionized water.

Why KCl solution used in pH meter?

To understand the reason for the use of KCl as an electrolyte, it is required to know the role of the electrolytic solution in a pH meter. The pH meter operates by immersing a glass electrode and a reference electrode in an electrolytic solution, which is then connected to the test solution via a porous ceramic membrane. The voltage is then displayed on a voltmeter which provides a pH reading.

Therefore, we need a solution in an electrolytic solution that contains enough ions to complete the circuit and does not change the pH of the test solution, as it is in a way, connected to it.

For this reason, we use a solution of KCl because it contains a good source of ions in the form of chlorine (Cl) ions. Furthermore, because KCl is neutral, it does not affect or change the pH of the test solution. Because of these two factors, potassium chloride (KCl) is what is used in pH meters.

Why electrodes are only put in a KCl solution?

Potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl) are typical electrolytes in a salt bridge. Potassium chloride is preferred over NaCl because of its greater mobility of K+ ions. Transport number shows which ion would move faster than the other. As a result, KCl gives the electrolyte used in salt bridges the least chance of ionic imbalance, or the least chance of retardation.

Why is a calomel electrode kept in a KCl solution?

Because the calomel electrode is made of 1M KCl or a saturated KCl solution, maintaining the electrode in the KCl solution helps prevent the electrolyte to come out or change the concentration of the cell.

Why is the top layer of a calomel electrode filled with saturated KCl?

In the calomel electrode, KCl acts as a salt bridge. Electrolytes that have anion and cation mobility that is equal, or substantially equal, are used as salt bridges.



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