Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

Experiment #2
Titrimetric Method of Analysis

I. Introduction
In the neutralization of hydrochloric acid by sodium hydroxide, the mole ratio of
acid to base is 1:1.

𝑯𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) +𝑵𝒂𝑶𝑯(𝒂𝒒) → 𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) + 𝑯𝟐𝑶(𝒍)

One mole of 𝐻𝐶𝑙 would be fully neutralized by one mole of 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻. If instead
the hydrochloric acid was reacted with barium hydroxide, the mole ratio would be
2:1.

𝟐𝑯𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) + 𝑩𝒂(𝑶𝑯)𝟐(𝒂𝒒) → 𝑩𝒂𝑪𝒍𝟐(𝒂𝒒) +𝟐𝑯𝟐𝑶(𝒍)

Now two moles of 𝐻𝐶𝑙 would be required to neutralize one mole of 𝐵𝑎(𝑂𝐻)2.
The mole ratio ensures that the number of moles of 𝐻+ ions supplied by the acid is
equal to the number of 𝑂𝐻− ions supplied by the base. This must be the case for
neutralization to occur. The equivalence point is the point in a neutralization reaction
where the number of moles of hydrogen ions is equal to the number of moles of
hydroxide ions.

In the laboratory, it is useful to have an experiment where the unknown

concentration of an acid or a base can be determined. This can be accomplished by
performing a controlled neutralization reaction. A titration is an experiment where a
volume of a solution of known concentration is added to a volume of another solution
in order to determine its concentration. Many titrations are acid-base neutralization
reactions, though other types of titrations can also be performed.

In order to perform an acid-base titration, the chemist must have a way to visually
detect that the neutralization reaction has occurred. An indicator is a substance that
has a distinctly different color when in an acidic or basic solution. A commonly used
indicator for strong acid-strong base titrations is phenolphthalein. Solutions in which
a few drops of phenolphthalein have been added turn from colorless to brilliant pink
as the solution turns from acidic to basic. The steps in a titration reaction are outlined
below.

A measured volume of an acid of unknown concentration is added to an

Erlenmeyer flask. Several drops of an indicator are added to the acid and mixed by
swirling the flask. A burette is filled with a base solution of known molarity. The
stopcock of the burette is opened and base is slowly added to the acid, while the flask
is constantly swirled to ensure mixing. The stopcock is closed at the exact point at
which the indicator just changes color.

The standard solution is the solution in a titration whose concentration is known.

In the titration described above, the base solution is the standard solution. It is very
important in a titration to add the solution from the burette slowly, so that the point at
which the indicator changes color can be found accurately. The end point of a titration

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

is the point at which the indicator changes color. When phenolphthalein is the
indicator, the end point will be signified by a faint pink color.

II. Objectives
• Be familiar with the concepts of Volumetric Titrimetry.
• Yield precise results for acid-base calculations

III. Materials
• 50 mL of 1 M NaOH solution (titrant)
• Three different vinegar samples (analytes)
• Burette and Stand with Clamp
• Pipette and aspirator
• 250 mL Conical flasks (three, one for each vinegar sample)
• Phenolphthalein indicator (or another suitable indicator)
• Distilled water

IV. Procedure
Set Up the Burette:
1. Rinse the burette with distilled water and then with the 1 M NaOH solution to
remove any impurities.
2. Fill the burette with the 1 M NaOH solution, ensuring there are no air bubbles.
3. Record the initial volume of the NaOH solution in the burette.
4.

Prepare the Vinegar Samples:

5. Use a pipette to measure 50 mL of each vinegar sample and transfer each to
separate clean conical flasks.
6. Label each flask with the corresponding vinegar sample to avoid confusion.

Add Indicator:
7. Add a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator to each vinegar sample in the
conical flasks. The solution will remain colorless because phenolphthalein is
colorless in acidic solutions.

Titration Process:

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

8. Place the first conical flask on a white tile/paper to better observe the color
change.
9. Slowly add the NaOH solution from the burette to the vinegar sample in the
conical flask, swirling the flask constantly to mix the solutions.
10. As the NaOH is added, the solution will start to turn pink. Slow down the
addition of NaOH as you approach the endpoint (the point at which the solution
just turns pink and remains pink for about 30 seconds).
11. Once the color change is permanent, record the final volume of the NaOH
solution in the burette.
12. Repeat the process for the remaining two vinegar samples.

V. Pre-laboratory Assignment: Titrimetric Method of Analysis

1. Why is phenolphthalein used as an indicator in the titration of vinegar with
NaOH?

Phenolphthalein is used as an indicator in the titration of vinegar (acetic acid) with NaOH
because its pH transition range aligns well with the equivalence point of the reaction.
During the titration, phenolphthalein provides a sharp and easily visible color change,
transitioning from colorless in acidic conditions to pink in basic conditions. This makes it
particularly suitable for weak acid-strong base titrations, as the equivalence point is
slightly basic, ensuring accurate detection of the endpoint.

2. Calculate the theoretical volume of 1 M NaOH required to neutralize 25 mL of

vinegar, assuming the acetic acid concentration in the vinegar is approximately
0.8 M.

3. Describe the safety precautions you must take when performing a titration
involving NaOH and vinegar. Why is it important to follow these precautions?

To guarantee safety in the lab, several safety measures need to be followed when
titrating vinegar and NaOH. First, to guard against chemical splashes, put on the
appropriate PPE, such as gloves, safety goggles, and a lab coat. NaOH is a powerful base
that can irritate skin, burn skin, or harm eyes, use it carefully. If contact occurs, clean the
afflicted area thoroughly with water right away. Make sure your workspace is clutter-free
to avoid spills or contamination and operate in an area with good ventilation to prevent
vapor inhalation. Additionally, to avoid splattering, always add NaOH to vinegar

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

gradually and thoroughly.

VI. Lab Report: Titrimetric Method of Analysis for Acetic Acid Concentration in Vinegar
Samples

Trial Initial Final Volume Analyte % Error

Volume Volume Difference Concentration
Rough
Titration
1. Datu 50 mL 38 mL 12 mL 0.24 M
Puti
2. Silver 50 mL 37 mL 13 mL 0.26 M
Swan
3. Lorin’s 50 mL 40 mL 10 mL 0.20 M
Vinegar

Solution:

VII. Data Analysis

1. How does the concentration of acetic acid in each vinegar sample compare to the
others? Which sample has the highest and lowest concentration?

2. Was the color change at the endpoint distinct and easy to observe for each sample?
How might this affect the accuracy of your results?

VIII. Questions
1.Under what conditions is the burette usable?

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

A burette is usable when it meets certain conditions to ensure accurate and reliable
measurements. First, it must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any residue that could alter
the volume of liquid delivered. It should also be free of leaks, particularly around the
stopcock, as any leakage would result in inaccurate readings. The burette must be
properly calibrated to ensure the graduations are precise. Additionally, it should not
contain air bubbles in the liquid column or tip, as these can cause errors in volume
measurement; any bubbles must be removed before starting the titration.

2. Describe the changes in the analyte after adding the indicator and after the end
point.

The vinegar is still acidic before the phenolphthalein is dropped. When the
phenolphthalein is added, it stays in its acidic and colorless state. However, the solution
gradually changed into basic form during titration, and finally the hue changed to pink,
signifying the endpoint.

3. Explain the importance of a suitable indicator in obtaining accurate results.

Because it produces a visual color shift that signifies the achievement of the endpoint, an
appropriate indicator is crucial, particularly for obtaining precise titration results.
Furthermore, this guarantees the precise moment of neutralization to prevent excessive or
insufficient titration and to offer precise concentration calculations. `

4. What are the possible sources of error in a titration procedure beside the
unavoidable errors in reading a burette?

Some possible sources of error in the experiment are overuse of the titrant which makes the
solution over titrated. Also, in preparation of the solution, so

Necessary materials needed are included in the file attached. However, do not forget to bring the
following:
1. Laboratory Gown/Coat
2. Gloves
3. Facemask
4. Scrunchies for girls
5. Tissue Paper per group
6. Dishwashing Liquid per class
7. Distilled Water per class

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