Testing & Verification
pH Analysis
Overview
pH analysis measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is. It characterises a solution property, not the identity, purity, or amount of the intended substance.
What pH is
pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, expressed on a scale where lower values are more acidic, higher values more alkaline, and the middle is neutral. It is a property of a solution as a whole.
What pH analysis tells you
Measuring pH characterises the acidity or alkalinity of a prepared solution. This is a physicochemical property that can matter for how a material behaves in solution. It is a distinct measurement from identity, purity, quantity, or any contamination check.
What it does not establish
A pH value describes the solution’s acidity/alkalinity only. It does not confirm which molecule is present, how pure it is, how much is present, or whether contaminants are present — those are separate analytical questions.
What this test can and cannot establish
What it can establish
- The acidity or alkalinity of a prepared solution
- A physicochemical property distinct from identity/purity/quantity
What it cannot establish
- Identity, purity, or quantity of the intended substance
- Contamination status
- Any suitability, safety, or appropriateness for any use
Key terminology
- pH
- A measure of a solution’s acidity or alkalinity, based on hydrogen-ion concentration.
- Physicochemical property
- A physical/chemical characteristic of a material or solution.