AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF STRONG ACID AND STRONG BASE

TITRATION

Hisar School
Istanbul, Turkey

Bahar Defne, zeynep.bahar@hisarschool.k12.tr

Ulutaş Mercan, mercan.ulutas@hisarschool.k12.tr

January, 2019
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Abstract: In this investigation, the titration of a strong acid, HCl, with a strong base, NaOH,
was conducted. The investigation primarily aimed to determine the molarity of the HCl
solution by titrating it with a NaOH solution of known concentration. During the study,
several important data regarding the acid base titration process were precisely recorded in
addition to the pH measurements that were done in every 0.5 mL addition of NaOH. With
the data obtained during the titration, a graphical representation of the titration experiment
was generated. By interpreting the titration graph it was possible to determine the equivalence
point, the pH at this particular point and the molarity of the HCl solution that was completely
titrated by the added NaOH solution.

Key Words: Acid, Base, Titration, pH Values, Molarity, Volume.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3

Methods and Materials 5

Results and Discussion 5…

Conclusion 7.-l

References 8
 1. INTRODUCTION

In aqueous solutions, a compound solution the basic properties of a solution

that produces H+ ions upon dissolution is
termed an acid while a compound that
produces OH- ions when dissolved in water
is called a base. (Lumen and Tidewater,
2017). The formula below represents a
chemical equation HCl ionizes in H2O and
as the HCl donates H+ ions it is evident that
it is an acid.
HCl (aq) + H20 (l) à H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
In addition, the formula below,
demonstrates the ionization of NaOH in
H2O and the donated OH- ions by the
NaOH, proving that it is a base.
increases. As a solution gets acidic the pH
value of the solution decreases. On the
contrary, when the solution becomes basic
the pH value of the solution increases. The
pH value range is on a scale of 1 to 14 as
shown in Figure 1 – pH value of 1 being
exteremely acidic and 14 being exteremely
basic. A pH of 7 is considered neutral-
neither an acid or a base. The pH of a
solution can be determined by taking the log
value of the H+ ions’ concentration and
multiplying it with -1 as shown in the
following equation.
pH = - log [H+]

NaOH (aq) + H20 (l) à OH- (aq) + Na+ (aq)

Acids and bases differentiate as strong and

weak acids and bases. Strong acids are
molecular compounds that essentially
Figure 1 Standardized pH Scale
ionize to completion in aqueous solution,
disassociating into H+ ions and the
Titration is a technique used in
additional anion; there are very few
chemistry to help determine the
common strong acids. All other acids are
concentration of a reactant mixed within an
"weak acids" that incompletely ionized in
unknown solution. The process involves
aqueous solution. (Brent, 2009). Therefore,
adding a known solution to the unknown
from the chemical equations representing
solution until a reaction occurs. This
complete ionizations above, it can be safely
reaction is most commonly detected by
infered that HCl is a strong acid while
observing a color change.
NaOH is a strong base. Other common
strong acids are HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, HBr,
A acid-base titration model is set
HI, HCIO4; while LiOH, NaOH, KOH,
with a Erlenmeyer flask, a burette and a .
RbOH, CsOH are examples of strong
acid-base indicator. The titration can be
bases.
done with different combinations of acids
Acids increase the number of H+
and bases such as: a strong acid and strong
ions in the solution. As a result of the
base, strong base and weak acid or weak
increase in number of H+ ions the acidity of
base and strong acid.
a solution increases accordingly. Likewise,
when the number of OH- ions increase in a
 In a titration of a strong acid and
strong base there is complete dissociation;
hence a neutralization reaction occurs. This
type of a titration requires the dispense of a
strong base or acid with a buret to determine
the equivalence point. At the equivalence
point of a reaction the number of moles of
the acid is equal to the number of moles of
the base which indicates that at that point
the reaction has been neutralized. (Oxlade,
2002).
Figure 2 Graphical representation of the titration of
a strong acid with a strong base
Figure 3 Graphical representation of the titration of
a weak acid with a strong base
The pH curve diagram in Figure 3
represents the titration of a weak acid with
a strong base. The initial pH value is higher
than that of Figure 2 as the acid used is a
weak acid compared to Figure 2’s strong
acid. In addition, there is a sharp increase in
pH at the beginning of the titration and after
the sharp increase the pH values increase in
a much slower rate. The equivalence point
of this titration is higher than 7, as it can be
seen from Figure 3. The main reasoning
behind this is that the strong base dominates
over the weak acid in terms of the OH- ions
it donates to the solution, the ample amount
of OH- ions pulls the pH value up.
Figure 4 Graphical representation of the titration of
a weak acid with a strong base
The pH curve diagram in Figure 4
represents the titration of a weak acid with
a strong base. As it can be seen from the
diagram the pH is below 7. If a strong acid
and weak base is titrated the pH of the base
will start high but drop rapidly because the
weak base reacts with a strong acid.
2. METHODS AND MATERIALS
This study was conducted in a single
experiment by titrating HCl with NaOH and
recording the pH value in every 0.5 mL of
the base added. The primary objective of the
experiment was to determine the
concentration of the acid (HCl) of unknown
molarity by using a standard base (NaOH)
solution.
MATERIALS measured and recorded. A particular
The chemicals used in this study and enchancement made in this experimental
the lab equipment were all supplied by the procedure was that the change of pH for the
Hisar School Chemistry Department. For volumes of NaOH between the intervals
the single experiment, several different 23.0 mL and 23.5 mL was measured in
pieces of equipment were used such as a every 0.1 mL addition of NaOH. The
graduated cylinder, 2 beakers, a dropper, a reasoning behind this experimental choice
250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, and a pH meter. will be discussed in the following sections.
In addition, a buret, a double buret clamp,
and a buret stand were used to form the
titration apparatus used in the experiment. 3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The data obtained from this titration
Furthermore, 3 drops of phenolphthalein,
experiment were graphed utilizing the
25 mL of HCl solution (unknown
“Google Sheets” software supported by
concentration), distilled water, and 50 mL
Google.
of 0.1 M NaOH was used as the chemicals
during the study.
Interpreting the Data
As the increasing PH value trend [1 to 13]
PROCEDURE
on both the HCl-NaOH titration graph
The titration apparatus that was set
(Figure 6) and the experimental data table
by the Hisar School Chemistry Department
(Figure 5) clearly demonstrates, the
consisting of a buret, a double buret clamp,
experiment initiated having a strong acid
and a buret stand was put on the table. The
HCl and proceeded by the addition of a
250 mL Erlenmeyer flask was then filled by
strong base NaOH.
25 mL of unknown concentrated HCl
solution which was then placed on the
bottom of the apparatus. In a separate
beaker 50 mL of 0.1 M NaOH was prepared
and poured into the buret when the control
mechanism, stopcock, of the buret was
closed, perpendicular to the buret. 3 drops
of phenolphthalein were dropped into the
Erlenmeyer flask which contained the HCl
solution. Then, titration was started by
opening the stopcock for a specific amount
of time that would let 0.5 mL of NaOH into
the Erlenmeyer flask which contained the
HCl solution. After 0.5 mL of NaOH was
released from the buret the beaker
containing the new solution was measured Figure 5 Experimental data table of the strong acid
with a pH meter. The pH meter was then and strong base titration.

cleaned with distilled water. At each new

volume change, the pH of the solution was
The initial PH value of the pure HCl
solution was measured to be 1.53. After the
initial PH measurement of the acid, the PH
was measured in every 0.5 ml addition of
the NaOH solution to the HCl.
Figure 6 Strong acid and strong base titration graph
As it is evident from the titration
graph in Figure 6, the titration reached its
equivalence point at a pH value around 7
and at this point, 23.2 mL of NaOH solution
was added to the acid solution. This point
can be marked as the equivalence point as it
is clearly a turning point for a dramatic
change in the pH. Up until to 23.0 mL the
pH is well under 7 however, when the
volume of NaOH hits above 23.2 mL the pH
of the solution rockets above 7, not only
changing its characteristic to base from acid
but also starts an increasing pH trend. This
equivalance point was able to be detected
due to an altration made in experimental
procedure. During the addition of volumes
of NaOH between the intervals 23.0 mL and
23.5 mL, contrary to the pH measurements
taken in every 0.5 mL addition of NaOh, the
pH was measured in every 0.1 mL addition
of NaOH, as shown in the data in Figure 7.
This interval was chosen purposedly with
respect to the equivalence concentration
determined in several previous titration
experiments.
From the equivalence point, the pH
value increases with every added 0.5 mL of
NaOH, giving the titrate stronger basic
characteristics. However, it is important to
point out that the pH increases are not
significant and the graph can even be
considered to be leveling off after the
equivalence point. When the NaOH
solution is completely poured into the HCl
solution the pH value was determined to be
12.53, marking the end of the process.
Figure 7 pH measurements during the addition of
volumes of NaOH between 23.0 mL and 23.5 mL
Determining the Concentration of HCl
Solution
As the equivalance point of a titration
process is the point at which the moles of
the titrant is equal to the moles of the
unknown solution, the concentration of
unknown solution of HCl can be determined
by using the following equation:
Macid x Vacid = Mbase x Vbase
With substituting the experimental data in
this equation, it is possible to determine the
molarity of the acid:
(Macid) (25 mL) = (0.1 M) (23.2 mL)
Macid = 0.093 M
The molarity of the acid of unknown
concentration is 0.093 M.
CONCLUSION

In this study, the volume of NaOH required

to completely titrate strong acid HCl was
determined, as well as the concentration of
the HCl being titrated. Certain important
experimental data, such as the equivalence
point, the pH at that point , the trend of pH
values obtained from this titration
experiment were especially important in
order to understand the characteristics of a
titration process of a strong acid with a
strong base. With respect to the results and
the consistent data obtained, we can safely
conclude that when a strong acid is titrated
with a strong base the pH value starts well
below 7 and then undergoes a jump that
changes the nature of the titrant to that of a
base. Furthermore, the pH values after the
equivalence point all indicate the basic
nature of the titrant and even though the pH
value increases it is very insignificant
compared to that of the jump occurred to get
to the equivalence point.
REFERENCES

Boundless. “Boundless Chemistry.”

Lumen, Acid- Base Titrations.

Brent, Lynnette. Acids and Bases. New

York, NY: Crabtree Pub., 2009. Print.

Lumen, and Tidewater Community

College. “College Chemistry 1 Labs.” Lab
7 Introduction |College Chemistry 1 Labs,
2017

Oxlade, Chris. Acids & Bases. Chicago, IL:

Heinemann Library, 2002. Print.

Figure 1: Acids and Bases: 8.31 - The PH

Scale, IB Chem.

Figure 2: Kotz, et al. Chemistry and

Chemical Reactivity. 7th edition. Belmont,
California:
Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2009.

Figure 3: Levie, Robert De. Aqueous Acid-

Base Equilibrium and Titrations. New
York: Oxford University Press Inc. 1991

Figure 4: Petrucci, Ralph H., et al. General

Chemistry: Principles and Modern
Applications.

We wish to thank Sevinç Erdoğmuş for

their kind contribution.