Q&A: pH, Sodium Citrate, Litmus Paper & More

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In summary, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution and is important in science due to its impact on chemical reactions and properties. Sodium citrate is a commonly used buffering agent in the laboratory, while litmus paper is used as an indicator to test for pH. Acids donate hydrogen ions, while bases accept or donate hydroxide ions. Temperature can affect pH measurements by altering the activity of hydrogen ions.
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Hello, I've measured the pH of a med containing sodium citrate, potassium citrate and citric acid, why was is slightly acid if sodium citrate is basic ?
How can I measure the pH of a non acquous solution using litmus paper ?
Does some compund is, for example, basic when solid and became acid when put in water ?

thanks
 
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scientifico said:
Hello, I've measured the pH of a med containing sodium citrate, potassium citrate and citric acid, why was is slightly acid if sodium citrate is basic ?

If it contains citric acid, it can be acidic.

How can I measure the pH of a non acquous solution using litmus paper ?

Technically you can't - pH is a property of aqueous solution.

Does some compund is, for example, basic when solid and became acid when put in water?

Generally speaking solid is usually neither basic nor acidic - it becomes basic or acidic when it dissolves/reacts with water.
 

What is pH and why is it important in science?

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. It is important in science because it affects the chemical reactions and properties of substances. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, values below 7 being acidic, and values above 7 being basic.

What is sodium citrate and how is it used in the laboratory?

Sodium citrate is a salt of citric acid that is commonly used in the laboratory as a buffering agent. It helps to maintain a stable pH in solutions and prevent changes in acidity or basicity. It is also used as an anticoagulant in blood samples and as a preservative in food and drinks.

What is litmus paper and how is it used to test for pH?

Litmus paper is a type of indicator paper that changes color in response to the pH of a solution. It is typically red in acidic solutions and blue in basic solutions. By dipping the paper into a solution and observing the color change, the approximate pH of the solution can be determined.

What is the difference between an acid and a base?

An acid is a substance that donates hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution, while a base is a substance that accepts hydrogen ions or donates hydroxide ions (OH-). Acids tend to have a sour taste and can be corrosive, while bases tend to have a bitter taste and can be slippery. They also have opposite effects on litmus paper, with acids turning it red and bases turning it blue.

How does temperature affect pH measurements?

Temperature can affect pH measurements by altering the activity of hydrogen ions in a solution. As temperature increases, the activity of hydrogen ions also increases, leading to a decrease in pH. Therefore, it is important to control and record the temperature when measuring pH in order to obtain accurate results.

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