Chemists routinely prepare solutions of known concentration, known as standard

solutions. The mass of solute required is accurately measured and then transferred Figure 1.22 Glassware
carefully to a volumetric flask, which is accurately calibrated for a specific volume. commonly used in the
laboratory: (a) conical
The solvent is added steadily with swirling to help the solute to dissolve, until the final or Erlenmeyer flask – its
level reaches the mark on the flask. shape makes it easy to mix
liquids as the flask can be
easily swirled; (b) beaker;
(a) (b) (c) (d)
250 (c) measuring cylinder; (d)
200
100
volumetric flask; (e) pipette;
150
90 (f) burette. Standard solutions
250 100
200 ml 50 80 are prepared using volumetric
150
70 flasks.
ml 100 60
50
40 Note that concentration
30
is specified per volume
20
of final solution, not
per volume of solvent
added. This is because
(e) 10 cm3 volume changes occur on
dissolving the solute.
(f)
The term molarity, M,
has been widely used
Worked example to express amount
Explain how you would prepare 100 cm3 of a 0.100 mol dm–3 solution of NaCl. concentration, but it is
falling out of common
Solution Concentration n= number of usage. It will not be
Volume used in IB examination
3 3
moles of solute
Ensure that cm are converted to dm by dividing by 1000. (mol)
questions, so make sure
you are fully familiar with
n = cV c= concentration
the terms mol dm–3 and
of solute (mol
g dm–3. (Note that M is
100 dm^-3)
n = 0.100 mol dm–3 × dm3 = 0.0100 mol used specifically to refer to
1000 v= volume of
molar mass.)
solution (dm^3)
M(NaCl) = 22.99 + 35.45 = 58.44 g mol–1 n= cV
∴ mass required = 0.0100 mol × 58.44 g mol–1 = 0.584 g CHALLENGE
3
Add 0.584 g NaCl(s) to a 100 cm volumetric flask, and make up to the mark with YOURSELF
distilled water. 6 When sodium hydroxide
pellets (NaOH) dissolve in
Concentration can also be expressed in mass (g dm–3). water, there is a decrease
in the total volume of the
Worked example solution. Explain what might
Calculate the concentration of a 0.0400 mol dm–3 solution of sodium carbonate, cause this.
Na2CO3, in g dm–3. m= nM
m: mass required
Solution n: number of moles A standard solution is
M: molar mass g one of accurately known
M(Na2CO3) = (22.99 × 2) + 12.01 + (16.00 × 3) = 105.99 g mol–1 mol^-1 concentration.

m = n M ∴ m = 0.0400 mol × 105.99 g mol–1 = 4.24 g

number of moles
∴ [Na2CO3] = 4.24 g dm–3 of solute (mol) =
concentration of solute
(mol dm–3) × volume of
solution (dm3)
n = cV

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