Core Practical 2

Aim:

To find the concentration of a solution of sodium hydroxide.

Context:

This is an inorganic investigation. A neutralisation reaction takes place between an acid (sulfamic acid) and a metal
hydroxide (sodium hydroxide), producing a metal salt (in this case sodium sulfamate) and water.

H 2 NS O 2 OH ( aq )+ NaOH ( aq ) NaOS O 2 N H 2 ( aq ) + H 2 O(l)

→

Variables:

The independent variable is the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution, and the dependent variable is the
volume of the sulfamic acid solution needed to neutralise the sodium hydroxide solution.

For each trial, the same volume of sodium hydroxide was used, thereby resulting in the same volumes of sulfamic
acid.

The control variables are the concentration of the sulfamic acid and the volume of sodium hydroxide.

Risk Assessment:

Sulfamic acid is a strong acid. It can cause irritation to skin and is highly toxic when ingested. To reduce this risk, we
can be careful when titrating the acid, and wear gloves when handling the acid. Wear goggles to protect your eyes
from any splashing of chemicals. It is also very harmful to aquatic life, and so it must be disposed properly.

Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and is highly corrosive. It can cause severe burns and is highly reactive. To reduce
the risk from sodium hydroxide, we must be very careful when measuring a volume of it using a pipette.

Scientific Diagram:
Results Table:

Rough Trial 1 Trial 2

Final burette reading (cm³) ± 0.05 23.10 20.05 21.25
Initial burette reading (cm³) ± 0.05 5.50 2.00 3.20
Titre (cm³) ± 0.05 17.60 18.05 18.05

Mass of H2NSO2OH = 2.50 g

No. of Moles of H2NSO2OH = 0.026 mol

Volume of H2NSO2OH = 250 cm3

Concentration of H2NSO2OH = 0.10 mol/dm3

Mean titre = 18.05 cm3

No. of Moles of H2NSO2OH in the titre = 0.0019 mol

No. of Moles of NaOH in the solution = 0.0019 mol

Volume of NaOH = 25 cm3

Concentration of NaOH = 0.074 mol/dm3

Data Analysis:

It is seen that the titre is 18.05 cm 3 as the two trials show that value for the volume of the sulfamic acid. This means
that the experiment is reliable as concordant results have been recorded.

Conclusion:

The concentration of the given sodium hydroxide solution is approximately 0.074 mol/dm 3. The actual concentration
is 0.08 mol/dm3. The percentage difference in the experimental value and the actual value is:

0.08−0.074
∗100=7.5 %
0.08
Evaluation:

There are 3 main sources of random error – the measurement of the volume of sulfamic acid in the volumetric flask
and the burette and pipette readings. This method of finding the concentration of a solution is accurate, but the
precision of instruments and apparatus used must be high, otherwise large random uncertainties may creep into the
results.

Uncertainties:

Volume of Sulfamic acid = 250 ± 0.6 cm3

Percentage Uncertainty = 0.6*100/250 = 0.24%

Volume of titre = 18.05 ± 0.05 cm3

Percentage Uncertainty = 0.05*100/18.05 = 0.28%

Volume of NaOH = 25 ± 0.03 cm3

Percentage Uncertainty = 0.03*100/25 = 0.12%

Total Uncertainty = 0.24+0.28+0.12 = 0.64%

Concentration of Sodium Hydroxide solution with uncertainty = 0.074 ± 0.00047 mol/dm3

The addition of methyl orange as an indicator could have affected the results of this experiment. The random
uncertainties in this experiment is very low, so there must be some systematic error as there is a 7.5% difference
between the theoretical and experimental value.

Citations:

1. Student Safety Sheet for Sulfamic Acid:

Cleapss.org.uk. (2020). [online] Available at: http://science.cleapss.org.uk/Resource-Info/HC098B-Sulfamic-
acid-and-sulfates-VI.aspx [Accessed 11 Nov. 2020].

2. Sulfamic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Titration (plus equation) (doc):

Google.com. (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj_18mr4fnsAhXO8HMBHf-
hBEMQFjAAegQIBhAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.umanitoba.ca%2Foutreach%2Fcrystal%2Fresources
%2520for%2520teachers%2FSulfamic%2520Acid%2520Titration%2520C12-5-
10.doc&usg=AOvVaw33lak4JXiawj7OD20E_leP [Accessed 11 Nov. 2020].