Experiment 3

Title Acid and base titration

Objective To determine the concentration of sodium hydroxide solution
through titration technique using hydrochloric acid (HCl) and
sulphuric acid (H2SO4).
Apparatus  Volumetric flask 250 mL
 Filter funnel
 Beaker 1 x 250 mL
 Burette 1 x 50 mL
 Pipette 1 x 25 mL
Material a) 100 mL 1.000 x 10-2 M HCl solution
b) 100 mL 1.000 x 10-2 M H2SO4 solution
c) 10 mL C solution containing NaOH (with pipette)
d) Phenolphthalein solution
Procedure 1. 10 mL of C solution was put in volumetric flask, diluted
with water to the mark and mixed thoroughly. The
solution was transferred to a clean beaker. Solution was
labelled as C. A flask was rinsed with water twice.
2. Burette was cleaned and rinsed with 5 mL HCl solution
(1.000 x 10-2 M) twice. 25 mL of HCl solution (1.000 x
10-2) was placed to burette using funnel.
3. Pipette was cleaned and rinsed twice using C solution. 25
mL of C solution was transferred into three Erlenmeyer
flask. 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator was added.
4. The initial volume reading was recorded to the nearest two
decimal points. C solution was titrated with HCl from
burette to a colourless solution end point. The final
volume reading was recorded and the used acid volume
was calculated.
Note: Phenolphthalein colour will changed from magenta
(base) to colourless (acid)
5. The titration was repeated until the different volume of
acid is in the range of 0.003 for three experiments.
 6. The concentrations of NaOH solution (that was in flask)
and the concentrations of C solution were calculated.
7. Step 3 to 7 was repeated by replacing HCl with H2SO4.
Data
1. HCl
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Initial burette 26.00 mL 26.90 mL 35.00 mL
reading
Final burette 34.20 mL 35.00 mL 43.70 mL
reading
Volume of 8.20 mL 8.10 mL 8.70 mL
HCl used
Average
volume of (8.20 + 8.10 + 8.70) mL = 8.33 mL
HCl used 3

2. H2SO4
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Initial burette 19.90 mL 24.00 mL 27.90 mL
reading
Final burette 24.00 mL 27.90 mL 31.80 mL
reading
Volume of 4.10 mL 3.90 mL 3.90 mL
H2SO4 used
Average
volume of (4.10 + 3.90 + 3.90) mL = 3.97 mL
H2SO4 used 3
Concentration of solution C (NaOH) for HCl (1.000 x 10-2 M) :

NaOH + HCl  NaCl + H2O

M1V1 = 1
M2V2 1

MNaOH (25.00 mL) = 1

(0.01 M) (8.33 mL) 1

MNaOH = (0.01 M) (8.33 mL)

(25.00 mL)

MNaOH = 3.33 x 10-3 M

Concentration of solution C (NaOH) for H2SO4 (1.000 x 10-2 M):

2NaOH + H2SO4  Na2SO4 + 2H2O

M1V1 = 2
M2V2 1

MNaOH (25.00 mL) = 2

(0.01M) (3.97 mL) 1

MNaOH = 2 (0.01M) (3.97 mL)

25.00 mL

MNaOH = 3.18 x 10-3 M

Discussion In this experiment, indicator was used to help to determine the
end point. Indicator used in this experiment is phenolphthalein.
End point was determined when there is colour change in the
analyte from magenta to colourless. Equivalent point was
determined when number of moles of acid is equal to number of
moles of base.
When the colour of analyte has turned into light pink, we need
to clean the inner wall of conical flask and burette tip using
distilled water while titrating. When distilled water is used to
clean the inner wall of conical flask and burette while titrating, it
will remove the residue or remaining titrant at the inner wall of
conical flask and burette tip to help to decolourised the analyte
and to get an accurate end point.
While conducting the experiment, we need to wear goggle for
eye protection because we are dealing with acid and base. We
need to prevent the acid or base from entering our eyes because it
might lead to eyes injuries.
Other than that, we also need to prevent parallax error to ensure
we get an accurate data. When reading the volume of burette, we
need to ensure our eye level is parallel to the burette scale.
Lastly, we need to stop titrating immediately when the colour of
analyte has turned to colourless to prevent us from using excess
titrant. We need to know the correct way to perform titration.
Conclusion The concentration of sodium hydroxide solution was
determined through titration technique using hydrochloric acid
(HCl) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4). For HCl, the concentration of
sodium hydroxide solution is 3.33 x 10-3 M while for H2SO4, the
concentration of sodium hydroxide solution is 3.18 x 10-3 M.
Reference 1. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
2. www.avogadro.co.uk