pH Sensors & Probes
A pH sensor is a type of probe used to measure the pH of solutions in chemistry, biology, and other science applications.
pH probes are often used to determine the basicity or acidity of an aqueous solution. In science classrooms, pH measurements are useful for investigating water quality, practicing titration techniques, understanding acids and bases, monitoring chemical reactions, and more.
In this guide, we’ll cover our available pH Sensors and Ion Selective Electrodes:
How Do pH Sensors Work?
While pH paper changes color to indicate the pH level, pH probes contain an electrode that records the voltage from the charged hydrogen or hydronium ions in solution. The pH meter on the probe converts the voltage level into a pH value.
Common Applications
- Investigate water quality
- Investigate soil quality
- Monitor titration
- Identify buffers in nature
- Study acid-base chemistry
- Explore ocean acidification
- Measure household chemicals
- Plus more!
Measure the pH change in photosynthesis and respiration.
Investigate the quality of your local watershed by testing the acidity of streams and rivers.
Wireless pH Sensor
The Wireless pH Sensor (PS-3204) monitors the pH of aqueous solutions and can transmit data to your device in real time, or store it to the sensor’s onboard memory for long-term experiments.
This sensor improves upon our older PASPORT pH Sensor, providing the same functionality, with the added convenience of a Bluetooth connection. It is compatible with any device that runs PASCO software, including Mac®, Windows®, Chromebook™, smartphones, iPad®, and Android™ tablets. To make a measurement, students simply open either PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue software, pair the device via Bluetooth, and start collecting data.
With the Wireless pH Sensor, students can easily monitor live measurements for a single lab or log data for multi-day studies. The coin cell battery lasts up to ninety days in logging mode, and about two to three years with normal classroom use. After use, simply rinse the probe with deionized water and return it to the pH storage solution to keep it hydrated between uses.
The BNC connector that holds the pH probe can be paired with other PASCO probes, such as the ORP, Flat pH, and ISE electrodes.
Wireless pH Sensor Features
- Wirelessly streams data to any device running PASCO software for real-time insights.
- Logs measurements to the onboard memory for long-term data collection.
- Range: 0-14 pH
- Resolution: 0.01 pH
- Temperature Range: -40ºC-125ºC
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0
- Includes storage bottle and solution
- Compatible with ion-selective electrodes (ISE) and the Oxidation Reduction Probe (ORP).
- Battery Life (Data Collection Mode): >220 hours (2-3 years of normal classroom use)
- Battery Life (Data Logging Mode): 90 days
- Battery Type: Coin Cell
Watch the video below for an overview:
Get the Lab
Investigations with the Wireless pH Sensor
Visit our Experiment Library to view a list of studies to do with your class.Software Required
The Wireless pH Sensor requires either SPARKvue or PASCO Capstone software for data collection and analysis. For more information on which software is right for your classroom, see our Software Comparison Guide.
Wireless pH Sensor Compatible Accessories
The Wireless pH Sensor is ready to use right out of the box. It includes a coin cell battery, direct-connect BNC pH probe, and a storage bottle and solution for easy maintenance. Use it in collaboration with the following PASCO products:
Wireless pH Sensor Pack
Classroom 8-pack of Wireless pH Sensors packaged in a Gratnells storage tray with custom insert.
Oxidation Reduction Potential Probe
This probe connects to a Wireless pH Sensor and allows students to determine the ability of a species in a solution to act...
Wireless Drop Counter
Use the new Wireless Drop Counter for more efficient and accurate titration data. Conducting a titration has never been easier!
Wireless Temperature Sensor
The Wireless Temperature Sensor is a general-purpose sensor found in many science labs. With a rugged, waterproof design...
Flat pH Probe
Allows students to measure pH in low moisture, non-aqueous items. Intended for use with the Wireless pH Sensor.
Magnetic Stirrer
A must-have piece of lab equipment when doing titration experiments.
Ion Selective Electrode
A number of PASCO Ion Selective Electrodes connect to the Wireless pH Sensor to allow students to measure the concentration of potassium ions in an aqueous solution.
For a full list of compatible electrodes, visit the Ion Selective Electrode section below.
PASPORT pH Sensor
The PASPORT pH Sensor (PS-2102) connects to your device via an interface and measures the hydronium ion concentration of a solution, reporting it as a pH value. It offers an easy-to-use solution for student studies of membrane permeability, biological buffers, water quality, and more.
The BNC connector that holds the pH probe can be paired with other PASCO probes, such as the ORP, Flat pH, and ISE electrodes.
PASPORT pH Sensor Features
- Requires PASCO Interface
- Range: 0-14 pH (probe-dependent)
- Accuracy: ± 0.1 (after calibration)
- Resolution: 0.01 pH with low noise for accurate data
- Repeatability: 0.02
- Electrode: gel-filled Ag-AgCl combination electrode
- Maximum Sample Rate: 50Hz
- Temperature Range: 5ºC-60ºC
Software Required
The PASPORT pH Sensor requires PASCO software for data collection and analysis. For more information on which is right for your classroom, see our Software Comparison: SPARKvue vs. Capstone.
Compatible Interfaces: SPARK LXi2, Sparklink Air, Airlink
A PASCO interface is required to connect the PASPORT pH Sensor to your computer or device. We recommend the following options. For a breakdown of features, capabilities, and additional options, see our Interface Comparison Guide.
PASPORT pH Sensor Compatible Accessories
The PASPORT pH Sensor is compatible with a variety of PASPORT accessories:
Drop Dispenser
This Drop Dispenser has a 60 mL reservoir and two stopcocks to facilitate titrations.
pH Buffer Capsule Kit
Use this kit to create fresh solutions of known pH values (4, 7 & 10) for calibrating pH meters or other purposes.
PASPORT High Accuracy Drop Counter
A professional drop counter that allows students to capture detailed titration data.
pH Storage Solution
A 500 mL bottle of storage solution for PASCO pH Electrodes.
Ion Selective Electrodes
Ion selective electrodes (ISE), sometimes called specific ion electrodes (SIE), are devices used to measure the concentration of a particular ion in solution.
PASCO Ion Selective Electrodes are compatible with the Wireless pH Sensor’s amplifier box, so students can easily replace the pH electrode with one for ion-specific measurements.
Accurately track the concentration of ions in solution using any of the following electrodes:
How Do Ion Selective Electrodes Work?
Each electrode utilizes a membrane that selectively interacts with the target ion while excluding others; as the target ion diffuses across the membrane, it generates an electrical potential difference which is measured and converted into a concentration value that the user reads. Ion selective electrodes are useful in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis, and clinical diagnostics for their ability to provide rapid and accurate measurements.
Related Product Bundles
Considering updating your classroom’s science toolkit? Explore our most popular bundles!
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