pHメーターは2つの電極間の電圧を測定し、それをpH値に変換します。コアコンポーネントはガラス電極で、これは薄いガラス球が hydrogen ion activity. The potential difference, E, between the glass electrode and a stable reference electrode is linearly proportional to the pH according to a form of the ネルンスト 式:[latex]E = K + frac{2.303RT}{F}pH[/latex]。

















