EXPERIMENT 30 – VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS

Name________________ Per _____

OBJECTIVE: To become more familiar with volumetric analysis.

MATERIALS
Buret containing 0.081 M HCl (red tape) Buret containing vinegar (yellow tape)
Buret containing NaOH of unknown molarity (blue tape) Phenolphthalein indicator
Erlenmeyer flask Distilled water bottle

PROCEDURES:
PART I: TITRATION OF AN UNKNOWN BASE H+ + OH- → H2O
1. Record in Data Table 1 the level of the liquid in the buret containing HCl by reading the bottom of the
meniscus to the nearest 0.1 mL. Repeat for the buret containing base.

2. Let about 10 mL of HCl flow into a clean 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask.

3. Add about 15 mL distilled water and 3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator to the flask and swirl.

4. Add the NaOH solutions slowly (drop by drop), until the palest pink color persists at least 15 seconds
while swirling.

5. Again record the level of the liquid in the HCl buret. The difference between the initial and final
readings is the volume of HCl used. Record the level of the base in the buret. The difference between
the initial and final readings is the volume of NaOH used.

6. Empty the flask in the sink. Rinse with distilled water and repeat steps 1-5 for a total of three titrations.
Note that the flask need not be dried between titrations.

DATA TABLE
Trial 1
Initial Reading HCl Initial Reading NaOH
Final Reading HCl Final Reading NaOH
Volume 0.081 M HCl used Volume NaOH used
Trial 2
Initial Reading HCl Initial Reading NaOH
Final Reading HCl Final Reading NaOH
Volume 0.081 M HCl used Volume NaOH used
Trial 3
Initial Reading HCl Initial Reading NaOH
Final Reading HCl Final Reading NaOH
Volume 0.081 M HCl used Volume NaOH used

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EXPERIMENT 30 – VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS

CALCULATIONS
PART I
1. Average volume of HCl used: _____________mL
2. Average volume of NaOH used: ___________mL
3. Use the equation M a V a= M b V b to calculate the molarity of the base, Mb.

Mb = _____________M

PROCEDURES
Part II: CALCULATING THE PERCENT ACETIC ACID IN COMMERCIAL VINEGAR
CH3COOH + OH- → CH3COO- + H2O

1. Record in Table 2 the level of liquid in the vinegar buret. Repeat for the buret containing base.

2. Dispense 2 mL vinegar into a clean 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Add about 30 mL distilled water and 3
drops of phenolphthalein to the flask, then swirl.

3. Titrate the vinegar with the NaOH solution until the palest pink color persists for several seconds.

4. Again record the level of the liquid in the vinegar buret and also the NaOH buret.

5. Repeat steps 1-4 for a total of three titrations.

DATA TABLE 2
Trial 1
Initial Reading Vinegar Initial Reading NaOH
Final Reading Vinegar Final Reading NaOH
Volume Vinegar used Volume NaOH used
Trial 2
Initial Reading Vinegar Initial Reading NaOH
Final Reading Vinegar Final Reading NaOH
Volume Vinegar used Volume NaOH used
Trial 3
Initial Reading Vinegar Initial Reading NaOH
Final Reading Vinegar Final Reading NaOH
Volume Vinegar used Volume NaOH used

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EXPERIMENT 30 – VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS

CALCULATIONS
PART II
1. Average volume of vinegar used: ____________ mL

2. Average volume of NaOH used: _____________ mL

3. Calculate the number of moles of NaOH used to neutralize the vinegar sample. (Remember to convert the
average volume in mL to liters.)
moles NaOH = molarity NaOH x liters NaOH

4. How many moles of acetic acid are there in the vinegar sample? (Remember moles of acid = moles of base
in a neutral solution.)

5. What is the molar mass of the acetic acid, CH3COOH?

6. Use your answers from #4 and #5 to calculate the mass of acetic acid in the vinegar sample.

7. Find the mass of the vinegar sample. The density of vinegar is about 1.00 g/mL. Use the average volume of
vinegar from #1.

8. Calculate the mass percent of acetic acid in the vinegar.

percent acetic acid = mass acetic acid x 100% =

mass vinegar

9. Why is it acceptable to add water to the Erlenmeyer flask, but not to the buret?
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