Theory: Sodium carbonate is the salt of a week acid, carbonic acid ( H 2 C O3).

Its reaction
with HCl in a two-step process and may be represented as,

N a2 C O 3(aq) + HCl (aq) → NaHC O 3 (aq) + NaCl (aq) (1)

NaHC O 3 (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H 2 O (l) + C O 2 (g) (2)

The overall reaction may be represented as

N a2 C O 3(aq) + 2HCl (aq) → 2NaCl (aq) + H 2 O (l) + C O 2 (g) (3)

It is clear that 1 mole of N a2 C O 3 reacts with 2 moles of HCl, so following expression can be
written:

Moles of base : Moles of acid = Coefficient of base : Coefficient of acid

Moles of base Coefficient of base

Or =
Moles of acid Coefficient of acid

Or coefficient of acid  Moles of base = Coefficient of base  Moles of acid

Coefficient of base
2  (M N a2 C O 3  V N a2 C O 3) = 1  (MHCl  VHCl) (4) [ Molarity =
Coefficient of acid
]

Data for titration:

Observation Initial Final burette Difference, Average

No. burette reading, mL mL volume of
reading, mL HCl, V mL

1 0 5.8

2 5.8 27.5 21.7 19.45

3 27.5 44.7 17.2

Calculation:
Massof N a2 C O 3 taken
A) Calculation for the molarity of N a2 C O 3 solution = be taken¿ 
Mass of N a2 C O 3 ¿
0.05M

1.350
=  0.05M
1.325
 = 0.051 M
B) From equation (4), calculate the concentrate (M) of HCl solution:

2(MN a2 C O 3 V N a2 C O 3)
MHCl =
VHCl

20.051 10
=
19.45

= 0.052 M

Result: 0.052 M

Discussions:

The following causes can be assumed for the possible cause of error: While the solution of
N a2 C O3was prepared, a little amount of extra water might have been added into the
volumetric flask, this can be one of the reasons.
If these causes could be avoided, we could have got a perfect result of the concentration of
Commercial Hydrochloric Acid.

Question Answers:

Q (1): what are the primary and secondary standard substance? Give examples and mention
few characteristics of these substance.

Ans: A primary standard is a reagent that is extremely pure, stable, it not a hydrate/has no
water of hydration, and has a high molecular weight. A secondary standard is a standard
that is prepared in the laboratory for a specific analysis. It is usually standardized against a
primary standard.

Examples of primary standards for titration of bases are:

>> potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP): KHC8H4O4, mol wt. = 204.23 g/mol
>> potassium hydrogen iodate: KH(IO3)2, mol wt. = 389.92 g/mol
Examples of primary standards for redox titrations are:
>> potassium dichromate: K2Cr2O7, mol wt. = 294.19 g/mol
>> sodium oxalate: Na2C2O4 mol wt. = 134.00 g/mol

The base NaOH is an example of a secondary standard. Commercially available NaOH

contains impurities of NaCl, Na2CO3, and Na2SO4, and readily absorbs H2O from the
atmosphere. To determine the concentration of NaOH in a solution, it is titrated against a
primary standard weak acid, such as potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHC8H4O4.
Q (2): What method/precaution should be taken while weighing the solid base on the
balance?

Ans: There are a number of different techniques in determining weight by the use of the
analytical balance. No single method is preferable under all conditions. Students and
laboratory technicians should be-come familiar with all the various techniques as a general
background. Then they can select the method suited to conditions present and the
equipment available.

First, the student or laboratory worker, should understand certain terms and procedures
basic to all weighing operations:

1. The "sensitivity" of a balance is usually expressed in terms of the amount of weight which
will cause the pointer to deflect or move 1/4 of a division on the index scale. Sensitivity is
sometimes also expressed in terms of the change in the equilibrium point caused by a 1 mg.
weight, the change being expressed in scale divisions per milligram.

The "sensitivity reciprocal" is defined as the amount of weight required to cause a change in
the position of rest of the pointer equal to one division of the graduated index.

2. A careful distinction should be made between the two general methods of weighing. A
"zero method" is one in which a rider, chain, or other balancing device is adjusted, until the
equilibrium position is the same as the zero reading. In "deflection weighing," the actual
departure from the zero reading is used to determine a part of the recorded weight of the
object.

3. The term "zero" is usually applied to the center of the index scale, rather than to a
reading produced by the balancing of the beam.

4. The "zero point" of an unloaded balance is the mean of the swings in each direction. This
may or may not be at the zero of the index scales. Theoretically, the equilibrium position or
"rest point" should be at the zero on the index.

5. Only balances that have regularly installed damping devices to stop swinging of the beam
come to rest quickly. When damped balances approach their final position very slowly.
avoid taking the reading until the balance has actually reached a rest point. Withdrawing the
magnet somewhat to reduce the degree of dampening will allow the balance to swing more
freely so as to reach a more positive rest point.

6. On free-swinging balances, the motion should not be stopped or controlled by touching

the pan or other parts of the balance. Length of swing may be controlled by moving the
weighing chain, or by careful use of a rider weight. Usually, skillful manipulation of the pan
arrests will assure a reason-able length of swing.
7. Equilibrium position may be either estimated or computed. On the former, note the
center point from which the indicator seems to move to each side. For short swings, this
method is surprisingly accurate; but on long swings, it is not practical.

8. A computed equilibrium position is calculated from the plus and minus readings at the
turning point, or extreme end of each swing. At least three successive swings should be
taken, and an average of both the plus and minus figures calculated. The equilibrium point is
then the average of the plus and minus results. To eliminate plus and minus calculations,
some prefer to number the index scale from left to right, making the center line number 10.

Q (3): How do you clean your burette and pipette for your experiment?

Ans: wash in water with detergent. use a burette brush to scrub the inside wall. flush with
plenty of water making sure all the solution comes out through the open stopcock valve.
then before use flush through 2 full volumes of the burette with your titrant.

Q (4): What is the role of indicator in your titration?

Ans: A substance that changes color in response to a chemical change. An acid–base

indicator (e.g., phenolphthalein) changes color depending on the pH. Redox indicators are
also used. A drop of indicator solution is added to the titration at the beginning; the
endpoint has been reached when the color changes.

Q (5): Why methyl orange is taken as an indicator?

Ans: Methyl orange is a pH indicator frequently used in titrations because of its clear and
distinct color change. Because it changes color at the pH of a midstrength acid, it is usually
used in titrations for acids.