Experiment 1

May 15, 2010 Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to determine the pH of an unknown solution using an acid-base indicator. Using indicators, we were able to place each of nine solutions within a thin range of pHs. Using a pH meter and an electrode, we were able to measure the theoretical pH of nine solutions as well as our unknown sample and a sample of tap water. We were also instructed to create a buffer solution with a pH of 6.5 using solutions in the lab.

Procedure: The experiment was performed as stated on the laboratory printout for experiment number 1: Acid-Base Equilibrium and Buffers. There were no exceptions and/or changes. Data For Table 1, see page 4 Table 2. Buffers and pH indicator used 6.00 6.40 6.80 7.20 7.60 8.00 8.40 8.80 unknown #94 aqueous sample (water fountain) bromthymol blue color lime green light green green teal aqua blue blue blue color: light green/green pH: 6.40-6.8 color: teal/ aqua pH: 7.20-7.60 yellow yellow yellow-orange yellow-orange red-orange red magenta dark pink color: yellow/yellow-orange pH: 6.4-6.8 color: red-orange pH: 7.6 crestol red

Sample Calculations Henderson-Hasselbalch7.8(given)= 7.21 + log(HPO42-/ H2PO4-) log([HPO42-]/[H2PO4-])= 7.8-7.21= 0.59 [HPO42-]/[H2PO4-]= 10.59= 3.8905 Let x= volume of 0.1M Na2HPO4(aq) and y= volume of 0.1M Na2H2PO4(aq) Then x+y=50 [H2PO4-]= (y)(0.1)/(50) [HPO42-]= (x)(0.1)/50=3.8905(y)(0.1)/(50) X=50-y (50-y)=3.8905y 50=4.8905y Y= 12.85 X=50-12.85=37.15 pH calculations: 1) Weak acids: 0.100 M HC2H3O2 and 0.100 M H3PO4 Ka = = = 1.76 x 10-5 for HC2H3O2 *quadratic formula was calculated using a TI-83 Plus x = .0013266 -log(x) = pH = 2.88

2) Weak base: 0.100 M NH3 Kb = = = 1.79 x 10-5 for NH3 *quadratic formula was calculated using a TI-83 Plus x = .001338 -log(x) = pOH = 2.87 pH = 14-2.87 = 11.13 3) Salt of weak acids: 0.100 M NaC2H3O2 and 0.100 M Na3PO4 Kw/Ka = = = 4.55 x 10-2 for Na3PO4 *quadratic formula was calculated using a TI-83 Plus x = .06741999 -log(x) = pOH = 1.17 pH = 14-1.17 = 12.83 4) Salt of weak base: 0.100 M NH4Cl Kw/Kb = = = 5.59 x 10-10 for NH4Cl *quadratic formula was calculated using a TI-83 Plus x = 7.47 x 10-6 -log(x) = pH = 5.13 5) Intermediate salts: 0.100 M NaH2PO4 and 0.100 M Na2HPO4 pH = = = 4.67 for Na2HPO4 6) Salt formed from weak acid and weak base: 0.100 M NH4C2H3O2 Since this equation involves a Ka and Kb that are so similar (since each represents an opposite process), the pH is going to be roughly around 7.00. pH ~ 7.00 Conclusion & Discussion In this lab, we were able to determine the pH of several solutions in a number of ways. We used calculations in order to determine the pH from given pKas, as well as a pH meter with an electrode, and different indicators that allowed us to place each solution within a thin range of pHs. We were also instructed to produce a buffer with a pH of 7.8. The solution given with a pKa closest to this value was

H2PO4- , so we created a buffer using this and its conjugate base. We used the HendersonHasselbalch equation to determine the exact ratio of acid to base needed to create the buffer, and in taking the actual pH with a pH meter, we were successful in creating a buffer with a pH of 7.8.
We used indicators to determine the pH of a given unknown, #94. Due to information given that the pH of the unknown solution was between 6 and 8, we were able to choose two different indicators to determine the pH. We chose Bromthymol blue and Crestol red. Using this, we determined the pH of our unknown to be around 6.27. We also calculated the theoretical pH values for the nine known aqueous solutions, and then used indicators to determine which range of pHs each solution was in. This lab ran quite smoothly. Our pH calculations came roughly between 1.0 unit of our pH values and ranges and our buffer solution was within .10 of our given pH. The only error that may have occurred would be human error such as our measurement. I would not change anything from this lab, it was fair and easy to perform. Results: Part 2: 1. See Table 1. 2. Most acidic to least acidic: H3PO4 > HC2H3O2 > H2PO4- > C2H3O2- = NH4Ac = Unk# 94 = H2O > NH4+ > HPO42- > PO43- > NH3.

3.

There were a few discrepancies in our calculations due to ranges being too wide, and ranges of two solutions overlapping. Overall, the data we calculated was roughly within 1.0 unit of our range so there were not any major disagreements among the values. Our calculated results were roughly within 1.0-1.5 units of our experimental results. Most of our measurements were fairly accurate, although there were a few that were above or below our calculated pHs by more than 1.0 unit. This is most likely due to human error in that some ranges were too wide to make an exact estimate as to the pH.

Part 4: 1. There were some discrepancies in our data between the pH obtained with the pH meter and the calculated pH for several solutions. I believe this is primarily due to human error, in that the pH meter was difficult to use at times and we did have some trouble calibrating and using the device. I think all of the ranges we determined were fairly accurate, but overall the calculated results were more accurate than these sometime wide ranges. Experimentally, the pH meter is what I would consider the most accurate. 2. In table 4 we concluded that our range of pH for our unknown #94 was between 6.0-7.0. With a pH meter, we determined the pH to be roughly 6.27. I would consider this an accurate result because it falls within our range.

Part 5: 1. The final pH of the buffer solution we created was 7.84; we were instructed to create solution with a pH of 7.8. Our calculations were correct. 2. See Table 3.

Table 3. Calculated pH and final

HC2H3O
2

C2H3O2
-

H3PO
4

H2PO4 4.45 4.67 .27

HPO42 8.91 9.94 1.03

PO4311.3 7 12.8 3 1.46

NH3 10.9 5 11.1 3 0.18

NH4
+

Final pH values Target pH Absolute Differenc e

2.68 2.88 .20

6.87 8.88 2.01

1.57 1.56 .01

5.95 5.13 0.82

NH4A c 6.73 ~ 7.0 .27

Unk # 94 6.27 -----------

H2O 7.55 -----------