pH Titration Experiment

Categories: ChemistryScience

Introduction

Titrations stand as one of the cornerstone experiments within the realm of chemistry, playing a pivotal role in quantifying the concentration of an unknown solution through its reaction with a solution of known concentration. This report delves into the comprehensive findings derived from an extensive pH titration experiment. The experiment was meticulously conducted, centering on the utilization of hydrochloric acid (HCl) as the enigmatic solution and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the discernible solution of known concentration. Divided into two distinct yet interconnected parts, the experiment unfolded through the meticulous execution of titration methodologies employing both traditional indicators and sophisticated pH meters.

Experimental Procedure

Part I: Titration with an Indicator

In this part of the experiment, a 0.25 molar NaOH solution was used to titrate the unknown HCl solution.

The following steps were followed:

  1. Fill the 50-milliliter buret with the NaOH solution and record the initial volume.
  2. Measure out between 20 milliliters and 40 milliliters of the unknown HCl solution and record the volume.
  3. Add the measured HCl solution to a 100-milliliter Erlenmeyer flask.
  4. Add two drops of phenolphthalein indicator to the flask.
  5. Titrated the NaOH solution into the HCl solution until the indicator turned a light shade of pink.
  6. Record the final volume of NaOH solution in the buret.

This initial phase of the experiment commenced with the preparation of a precise 0.25 molar NaOH solution, meticulously filled into a 50-milliliter buret, with the initial volume meticulously recorded to ensure accuracy.

Get quality help now
WriterBelle
WriterBelle
checked Verified writer

Proficient in: Chemistry

star star star star 4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

avatar avatar avatar
+84 relevant experts are online
Hire writer

Following this, a volume ranging between 20 and 40 milliliters of the mysterious HCl solution was precisely measured out, with every minuscule detail of the volume meticulously noted for subsequent calculations.

Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

"You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy"
Write my paper

You won’t be charged yet!

The measured volume of the HCl solution was then gently introduced into a meticulously cleaned 100-milliliter Erlenmeyer flask, ensuring no spillage or contamination occurred.

Subsequently, to visually monitor the progression of the titration, two drops of phenolphthalein indicator were judiciously added to the solution within the Erlenmeyer flask. This indicator, with its characteristic transition from colorless to a delicate shade of pink, served as a visual cue for the nearing of the endpoint of the titration process. With all components meticulously prepared, the titration process commenced, as the NaOH solution was gradually introduced into the HCl solution within the Erlenmeyer flask. The addition of NaOH was meticulously controlled, with the solution being stirred gently to ensure homogeneity and accuracy in the detection of the color change indicating the endpoint of the titration. Upon achieving the faint pink hue indicative of the endpoint, the final volume of the NaOH solution within the buret was meticulously recorded, marking the completion of this phase of the experiment.

Part II: Titration with a pH Meter

In this part of the experiment, the same NaOH solution was used to titrate a different volume of the unknown HCl solution. The procedure was as follows:

  1. Fill the 50-milliliter buret with the NaOH solution and record the initial volume.
  2. Measure out between 20 milliliters and 40 milliliters of the unknown HCl solution (different from Part I) and record the volume.
  3. Add the measured HCl solution to a 100-milliliter Erlenmeyer flask.
  4. Insert the pH meter into the flask and record the initial pH of the acid.
  5. Titrated the NaOH solution into the HCl solution while recording the pH after every 5 milliliters of NaOH added.

In this subsequent phase of the experiment, the identical 0.25 molar NaOH solution was once again meticulously prepared and carefully filled into the 50-milliliter buret, with the initial volume meticulously noted to maintain precision. However, to introduce variability and enhance the comprehensiveness of the experiment, a different volume of the enigmatic HCl solution was meticulously measured out, also falling within the range of 20 to 40 milliliters, with utmost attention paid to recording the exact volume for subsequent calculations.

The measured volume of the HCl solution was then gently transferred into a separate, scrupulously cleaned 100-milliliter Erlenmeyer flask, ensuring segregation from the apparatus used in the previous phase of the experiment to prevent any potential cross-contamination. Once the HCl solution was secured within the flask, a pH meter was judiciously inserted into the solution, allowing for the precise measurement of the initial pH of the acidic solution. With the initial pH meticulously recorded, the titration process commenced, akin to the preceding phase, with the NaOH solution incrementally introduced into the HCl solution within the Erlenmeyer flask.

Notably, the pH of the solution was meticulously monitored after the addition of every 5 milliliters of NaOH, allowing for the meticulous tracking of the pH evolution throughout the titration process. This meticulous monitoring facilitated the accurate determination of the endpoint of the titration, marked by a definitive shift in pH indicative of the neutralization reaction between the acid and base.

Data and Observations

Part I: Titration with an Indicator

What Was Measured Measurement
Volume of HCl used 20.0 mL
Initial Volume of NaOH in buret 50.0 mL
Final Volume of NaOH in buret 34.0 mL

The color in the flask changed from colorless to a light pink that remained constant even after several seconds of stirring.

Part II: Titration with a pH Meter

What Was Measured Measurement
Volume of HCl used 30.0 mL
Initial volume of NaOH in buret 50.0 mL
Initial volume of NaOH in buret when end point was reached 26.0 mL
Initial pH of HCl 0.70
pH after 5 mL NaOH added 0.87
pH after 10 mL (total) NaOH added 1.06
pH after 15 mL NaOH added 1.30
pH after 20 mL NaOH added 1.70
Volume at which pH = 7.0 24.0 mL NaOH added to the flask (26.0 mL left in buret)
pH after 25 mL NaOH added 11.65
pH after 30 mL NaOH added 12.40
pH after 35 mL NaOH added 12.63
pH after 40 mL NaOH added 12.76
pH after 45 mL NaOH added 12.85
pH after 50 mL NaOH added 12.91

Calculations

Part I: Titration with an Indicator

Following the meticulous titration process, the volume of NaOH utilized in the reaction can be precisely determined through simple arithmetic. By subtracting the initial volume of NaOH, as recorded prior to the titration, from the final volume observed after the titration, the exact volume of NaOH dispensed into the solution is elucidated.

Final Volume of NaOH - Initial Volume of NaOH = Volume of NaOH used

34.0 mL - 50.0 mL = 16.0 mL

To determine the molarity of NaOH:

Molarity = (moles of NaOH) / (volume of NaOH used in liters)

Molarity = (1 mol/L * 16 mL) / 1000 mL

Molarity ≈ 0.420 mol/L

Hence, the calculated molarity of the NaOH solution approximates 0.420 mol/L, signifying the concentration of the NaOH solution employed in the titration experiment.

Conclusion

The experiment confirmed that NaOH is a base and HCl is an acid. As the amount of base (NaOH) increases, the reaction becomes less acidic, leading to an increase in pH. This relationship was evident in the trend observed during titration, where the pH gradually increased as more NaOH was added. When the pH reached 7, the solution was considered neutral.

Stirring the solution in the flask was found to be crucial as it enhanced the rate of the reaction and ensured that the reaction was complete before any conclusions were drawn. Failure to remove bubbles from the buret could lead to inaccuracies in volume measurements, affecting the calculated molarity of the solutions. Other factors such as adding too much base or acid, impurities in the equipment, or mathematical errors could also impact the accuracy of the results and conclusions drawn from the experiment.

In conclusion, pH titration experiments are valuable tools in chemistry for determining unknown concentrations of solutions and understanding acid-base reactions. Proper technique and attention to detail are essential for obtaining accurate and reliable results.

References

  1. Harris, D. C. (2010). Quantitative Chemical Analysis. W. H. Freeman.
  2. Skoog, D. A., West, D. M., Holler, F. J., & Crouch, S. R. (2013). Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry. Cengage Learning.
  3. Christian, G. D. (2013). Analytical Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons.
  4. Vogel, A. I. (2018). Vogel's Textbook of Quantitative Chemical Analysis. Pearson.
  5. Sawyer, D. T., & Heineman, W. R. (1999). Experimentation in Electrochemistry. Wiley-VCH.
Updated: Feb 26, 2024
Cite this page

pH Titration Experiment. (2024, Feb 26). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/document/ph-titration-experiment

Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment