DETERMINATION OF THE SOLUBILITY PRODUCT CONSTANT OF

CALCIUM HYDROXIDE
M.M. DERELO1 AND A. REYES2
1
Division of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education
2
Department of Mining Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Date Submitted: 11 September 2019
Date Performed: 4 September 2019

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

1. Account for the differences in color of Solutions 1, 2, 3, and 4 after adding the
appropriate visual indicators. Express in terms of the pKa’s of phenolphthalein and
methyl orange.
Solutions 1 and 2 were added with methyl orange indicator – which has a color range of
red to yellow, acidic to basic, respectively. The rest of the solutions, 3 and 4, were added with
phenolphthalein indicator – colorless to red range. Solutions 1 turned orange red which meant the
pH is somewhere between 3.1 and 4.5. Solution 2 gave out a color of orange which could’ve meant
it having a pH greater than 4.5. Solution 3 had a light pink color which could be equated to a pH
more than 8.3 but less than 10; while a much less intense pink was observed on Solution 4 which
meant the pH value should fall under the same range as the previous mentioned.

2. Describe and rationalize the observed effect upon addition of 3 drops of 1.0 M HCl or of
3 drops of 1.0 M NaOH to Solution 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Upon the addition of 3 drops of 1.0 M NaOH, the pH values of those respective solutions
change a bit more drastic compared to the rest. Solutions 2 and 4 are classified as buffer solutions,
thus, they change their pH values much lesser compared to the other two solutions left.

3. Compare the different methods of determining pH: visual indicators, pH meter, and
calculations. Compare the accuracy of the three methods.
There were various ways to determine the pH of the solutions such as using the color
ranges through the visual indicator used, measuring using the digital pH meter, and calculating
through the use of equations. Among all these, calculating would be the most accurate for this
gives the theoretical pH value. Between the remaining two, pH meter is the calibrated one which
makes it more dependable than the visual indicators. As mentioned, indicators mostly depend on
observations and judgements.

4. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the calculated parameters?
Rationalize.
There could be a lot of probable sources of error that might affect the calculated
parameters, and one of the primary ones is commonly observed during preparation of solutions.
Any inaccuracy and imprecision, and improper handling during the preparation could lead to
discrepancies in the pH values. Next to this, perhaps, during the experimentation proper, an
operator error might’ve been done due to the judgement in terms of the observations. Lastly, with
the pH meter, a systematic error could be come out from the device itself if not properly calibrated,
contaminated with other solutions (acid or base).
REFERENCES

[1] Analytical Chemistry Academic Group. Chemistry 26.1 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
Manual. 2017. Quezon City: Institute of Chemistry, UP Diliman. 8-10.

[2] Christian, G. D., Dasgupta, P. K., & Schug, K. Analytical Chemistry (7th ed.). 2014. Hoboken, NJ:
John Wiley and Sons. 62-65.

[3] Harris, D. C. Quantitative Chemical Analysis (8th ed.). 2010. New York: W.H. Freeman.