DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : B. Balaji
Designation : HAEIE
Branch : HAEIE
Institute : Govt Polytechnic for Minorities,Guntur
Semester : III Semester
Subject : Process Instrumentation – I
Subject code : AEI-305
Topic : PH Measurement
Duration : 50 Mts
Sub Topic : Reference Electrode
Teaching Aids : PPT, Diagrams
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 Recap

In the previous class we have discussed about:

• Principle of PH measurement

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 Objectives

Upon completion of this period, you would be

able to know about

• The description of reference electrode

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Fig.1 Sketch of Reference Electrode
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 Description

• The Fig.1 shows the construction

of reference electrode used for
PH measurement.

• It consists of an inner tube

containing calomel (Hg + HgCl )
solution.

• A Platinum wire is immersed in

that solution.

• The inner tube also consists of

glass wool placed at the bottom.

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 Description …

• A small hole is made there for

bridging.

• The inner tube is placed in an

outer glass envelop.

• Outer glass contains of saturated

Kcl solution.

• The outer tube is provided with a

filling neck and a bridging hole for
contact with the measured
solution.
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 Description

• The hole is covered with a

ground glass sleeve

• Bridging occurs through the

liquid film in the glass joint.

• There is very gradual escape of

KCl in to the measured liquid
through this bridging hole.

• The strength of KCl varies from

3.5 to M to 0.1 M

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Reference Electrode

• Reference electrode filled with a

neutral buffer solution (pH=7)
• Kcl solution acts as buffer

• In Kcl solution a platinum or

silver wire is placed
• At bottom of electrode there is a
porous junction

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 • Porous junction is a interface
between Kcl solution and test
solution
• It allows to exchange ions from
Kcl to test solution
• An electrical contact is formed
between test solution and Kcl
solution
• It always maintains constant
potential irrespective of pH of
test solution

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Reference Electrode should possess

• Easy reproducibility

• Small temperature - emf coefficient

• Negligible aging

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 Summary

In this class we have learnt about:

• Reference electrode is filled with a neutral buffer
solution (PH=7)

• Kcl solution acts as a buffer

• In Kcl solution a platinum or silver wire is placed

• An electrical contact is formed between test solution

and Kcl solution
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 Quiz

1. Reference electrode is filled with solution of

a) sodium hydroxide

b) potassium chloride

c) hydrochloric acid

d) none of the above

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 Quiz

• Which Electrode always maintains constant

potential irrespective of pH of test solution

• Measuring Electrode

• Reference Electrode

• Both a and b

• None

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 Frequently Asked Question

Essay type:

1. Explain the principle of reference electrode

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