Titration Lab

Lab Report

Passakorn Tedumrongvanich 6361009

Korndanai Suebwongchai 6361065

Varit Suriyasomboon 6361089

Saruti Piphatsirikajorn 6361176

General Chemistry 11

Ms. Shaini Sudheer

18 March 2022
Abstract

This laboratory was designed to illustrate and explain the titration technique to determine

concentration of HCl in difference indicator. The experiment used phenolphthalein and methyl

orange as indicators, the result exhibits that concentration of HCl is found to be 0.600 M and

0.575 M by using phenolphthalein and methyl orange, respectively. The significant difference of

determined concentration of HCl stems from the difference in the end-point of indicators. From

this results can be concluded that the difference pH between equivalent and end-point of

indicator generates error of an experiment. The proper choice of indicator should have the

possible smallest difference value of equivalent point and end-point.

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 Table of contents

Abstract 1

Introduction 3

Experiment 8
Chemicals 8
Instruments/ glassware / equipment 8
Procedure 8
Flowchart 10

Data and Results 11

Pre-lab questions 11
Data Table 13
Explanation 14

Discussions 15
Post-lab question 15
Discussion 16
Calculation 17

Conclusion 19

Error/Suggestion 20

References 22

2
Introduction

Acid is an ionic compound composed of the cation H+. Acids are defined as any chemical

that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in an aqueous solution. A base is the polar

opposite of an acid chemically. A base is a substance that raises the concentration of the

hydroxide ion (OH-) in water (Mott, n.d.). Since these first definitions were proposed by

Arrhenius in 1884, they are referred to as the Arrhenius definition of an acid and a base,

respectively (Khan Academy, n.d.). The Brønsted-Lowry and Lewis theories are two further

techniques of naming acid-base. The Brønsted-Lowry theory defines acid-base interactions

through proton transfer across chemical species. Any species capable of contributing a proton,

H+, is referred to as a Brønsted-Lowry acid, whereas any species capable of absorbing a proton

is referred to as a base (Khan Academy, n.d.). This requires that each Brønsted-Lowry acid

include hydrogen capable of dissociating into H+. To accept a proton, a Brønsted-Lowry base

must have at least one lone pair of electrons capable of making a new connection with it. On the

other hand, Lewis acids and bases are defined as electron-pair acceptors and donors, respectively.

A Lewis base can transfer two electrons to a Lewis acid, forming a coordinating covalent

connection. Lewis acids accept an electron pair and are electrophilic, meaning they attract

electrons, whereas Lewis bases donate an electron pair and are nucleophilic, meaning their lone

pair is attracted to a positive charge (Libretexts, 2020).

When an acid and a base mix to form water and salt, this is referred to as a neutralization

reaction. It is formed when the ions H+ and OH- unite to make water. A strong acid reacts with a

strong base with a pH of 7. When a strong acid and a weak base combine, the resulting pH is less

than 7, but when a strong base and a weak acid combine, the resulting pH is more than 7. When a

solution is neutralized, it produces salts when equal quantities of acid and base mix (Jessie A.

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Key and David W. Ball). The needed amount of acid is equivalent to one mole of protons (H+),

whereas the required amount of base is equal to one mole of OH-. While acids and bases each

have a unique chemistry, their reaction cancels out to generate a fairly innocuous molecule called

water. Indeed, the conventional way for an acid and a base to interact is as follows:

acid + base → water + salt

where the term “salt” refers to any ionic substance that is soluble or insoluble and is generated

when an acid reacts with a base.

In this experiment, the technique of titration will be explored. Titration is a technique

used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by comparing it to a known solution.

Typically, until the reaction is complete, the titrant is added to a known quantity of the analyte

from a buret (Admin, 2021). It is a procedure for estimating the concentration of a dissolved

material by calculating the least quantity of a known concentration reagent necessary to create

the desired effect when combined with a known volume of the test solution (Admin, 2021).

An acid-base titration is a quantitative analytical technique for estimating the

concentration of an acid or base by neutralizing it with a known concentration standard base or

acid solution. In an acid-base titration, a neutralization reaction is utilized (Admin, 2021). The

concentration of a particular base or acid is measured by neutralization with a known acid or

base. This is often accomplished by dropping the standard solution into an Erlenmeyer flask

containing the solution opposite to the standard solution and the indication of interest using a

buret. The indicator that was applied will change color to signal the endpoint. The indicator

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changes color in response to variations in the pH of the solution. An appropriate indicator should

be used to find the equivalence point and reduce indicator error (Libretexts, 2021).

This experiment will focus on Strong acid-Strong Base titration, which is distinguished

from others such as weak base-weak acid, weak acid-strong base, and strong acid and weak base

(Libretexts, 2021). Titration with a strong acid and a strong base that dissociate completely in

water results in a strong acid-strong base neutralization reaction. A buret must be used to

dispense a strong base into a container of strong acid, or vice versa, to determine the equivalence

point. By titrating an acidic solution with a known concentration of a basic solution, or vice

versa, until neutralization occurs, a strong acid-strong base titration is used to determine the

concentration of an acidic solution (Libretexts, 2021). In an aqueous solution, a strong acid is a

completely ionized acid. This means that, in contrast to a weak acid, when a strong acid is added

to a solution such as water, the entire amount of strong acid dissociates into its ions. Likewise, a

strong base is a completely ionized base in an aqueous solution. This indicates that when a strong

base is dissolved in a dilute solution such as water, it dissociates into its ions.

Strong acid-base titration is a quantitative analytical technique for estimating the

concentration of an acid or base by neutralizing it with a known concentration standard base or

acid solution. At the start of the titration experiment, a drop of an indicator is applied to monitor

the equivalent point of reaction which changes color to signal the endpoint. The indicator

changes color in response to variations in the pH of the solution. An appropriate indicator should

be used to find the equivalence point and reduce indicator error. After the titration, the

concentration and volume of titrant and volume of analyte are recorded and this information is

continuously used to determine the concentration of the analyte.

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 An indicator is extensively used in labs and educational settings. According to the

Britannica article, a chemical indicator is a substance that responds with specific qualities of

materials. Normally, the reaction results in a change in the indicator's color. The indicator's color

can be used to differentiate between acids and bases. However, the indicator's color cannot

always be utilized to differentiate compounds. Certain indicators undergo physical or chemical

transformations when they come into contact with a material.

Following that, phenolphthalein will be utilized as the indicator in this experiment. The

chemical formula for phenolphthalein is C2OH14O4. Phenolphthalein is a colorless chemical

compound with a pH of less than 8.5 and a pH of greater than 9 when it is pink or red

(Britannica, n.d.). Due to this feature, phenolphthalein can be employed as a distinguishing agent

between basic compounds. Additionally, phenolphthalein is a medication; it takes effect within

6-8 hours and is effective for 3-4 days. Irritation and rash may occur in the kidneys and on the

skin. However, it is prohibited due to its potential to cause cancer in people and animals

(Britannica, n.d.). Another indicator is used in this experiment. In the laboratory, methyl orange

is frequently employed as a pH indicator. Methyl orange is an organic substance as well,

however, it is not a naturally occurring indication due to its production. Methyl oranges, with the

chemical formula C14H14N3NaO3S, change from yellow to orange when it reacts with an acidic

pH solution. However, the color remains yellowish when it reacts with a basic or neutral pH

solution and interacts between pH values of 3.1 and 4.4 (Admin, 2021).

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 Indicator Acidic form pH range of color Basic form
change

Phenolphthalein 8.2-10.0

3.1-4.4
Methyl orange

This experiment uses a titration procedure between NaOH and HCl solution in order to

estimate the concentration of HCl using a variety of different indicators. In this experiment,

phenolphthalein and methyl orange were utilized as markers.

Objectives

1. To investigate a neutralization reaction and the basic laboratory methods via acid-base

titration experiment

2. To determine concentration of acid in a sample from acid-base titration

3. To investigate the effect of different indicators toward the determination of concentration

in unknown sample

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Experiment

Chemicals

- Sodium hydroxide

- Hydrochloric acid

- Phenolphthalein

- Methyl orange

- Distilled water

Instruments/ glassware / equipment

- Beakers

- Buret

- Buret stand

- Funnel

- Volumetric pipette

- Erlenmeyer flask

- Dropper

- Rubber Bulbs

Procedure

1. Measure the molarity of the NaOH solution and record it on the data table.

2. Obtain about 100 mL of NaOH solution in a clean beaker.

3. Place a funnel on top of the buret.

4. Add 5 mL of NaOH to the buret from a beaker.

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5. Move the runnel around to ensure all sides are coated with the substance.

6. Drain the solution into a waste beaker using the stopcock. Rinse again with a second 5

mL quantity of base.

7. Fill the buret with NaOH solution until it reaches 0.0 mL. Then, open the stopcock to

enable a few drips to rinse through the buret's tip. This will assist to eliminate any

remaining air bubbles in the buret tip.

8. Record the initial buret reading.

9. Draw 10.00 mL of HCl solution into the volumetric pipette and transfer it into an

Erlenmeyer flask .

10. Then, add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein into the flask

11. Place the flask under the buret to fill it with the base solution.

12. Swirl the flask while regulating the stopcock to drop the base solution until a pink color

remains for at least 30 seconds.

13. Record the final reading of the buret.

14. Pour the contents of the flask down the drain.

15. If more NaOH is required, refill the container and record the new volume.

16. Pipette a new sample, add phenolphthalein, and titrate as previously done.

17. Conduct additional titrations until two of them differ by no more than 1.0%.

18. Repeat the experiment but use methyl orange as indicator instead of phenolphthalein and

the color at the end point must be light orange instead of pink.

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Flowchart

10
Data and Results

Pre-lab questions

1. How will you know when your titration is finished?

The titration is completed when the color of the indicator has been changed to last longer

than 30 seconds or permanent changes (the experiment reaches the endpoint). If base ( such as

NaOH) is used as a titrant of the titration experiment and phenolphthalein is used as an indicator,

the color of the solution will be changed from colorless to bright pink. In the case of methyl

oranges as an indicator, the color of the solution will be changed from yellow to orange as shown

in figure A.

Figure A. The colors of before end-point, end-point and after end-point of phenolphthalein and

methyl orange as base is a titrant in titration experiment.

Phenolphthalein Methyl orange

Before End-Point After Before End-Point After

end-point end-point end-point end-point

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 2. Label the pH scale below with acid, base, and neutral, indicating numbers for each.

Acid Neutral Base

pH 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
3. On the scale above, use an arrow to show where your equivalence point is located.

Acid Neutral Base

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pH 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
↑

Since the experiment is titration between strong base (NaOH) and strong acid (HCl), the

equivalent point must be 7.00.

4. Write the neutralization reaction that occurs between hydrobromic acid (HBr) and

lithium hydroxide (LiOH).

The reaction between hydrobromic acid and lithium hydroxide at equilibrium is

HBr + LiOH ⟶ LiBr + H2O

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Data Table

Concentration of Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution: 0.500 M

Balanced equation of the titration reaction : HCl + NaOH ⟶ H2O + NaCl

Phenolphthalein Methyl orange

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 1 Trial 2

Initial buret volume (mL) 3.50 16.00 5.00 20.00

Final buret volume (mL) 15.50 28.00 16.50 31.50

Volume of base (mL) 12.00 12.00 11.50 11.50

Volume of base (L) 0.0120 0.0120 0.0115 0.0115

Moles of base (mol) 0.0060 0.0060 0.0058 0.0058

Acid to Base Mole Ratio 1:1 1:1 1:1 1:1

Moles of acid (mol) 0.0060 0.0060 0.0058 0.0058

Volume of acid (L) 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100

Acid concentration (M) 0.600 0.600 0.575 0.575

Average concentration 0.600 0.575

(M)

pH 9.40 3.70

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Explanation

Calculate the volume of sodium hydroxide by subtracting the final buret volume from the

beginning buret volume. The number of moles of NaOH is determined by multiplying its

concentration by its volume (L). From the chemical reaction of HCl and NaOH, the mole ratio of

HCl : NaOH is 1:1. Thus the moles of HCl must be equal to moles of NaOH. The concentration

of acid is determined by dividing the moles of acid by the volume in liters of the acid. Then,

calculate the average concentration by combining the acid concentrations from both experiments

and dividing by two.

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Discussions

Post-lab question

1. How would it affect your results if you used a beaker with residual water in it to measure

out your standardized sodium hydroxide solution?

If residual water is left in the beaker, the experiment's results will be inaccurate, since the

concentration of sodium hydroxide will be diluted by residual water. Thus, this affects the

determination of the concentration of acid because the volume of sodium hydroxide will be used

in the experiment higher than its actual resulting in the calculated concentration of hydrochloric

acid will be higher than the actual.

2. How would it affect your results if you used a wet Erlenmeyer flask instead of a dry one

when transferring your acid solution from the volumetric pipette?

Any distilled water in a wet Erlenmeyer will change its volume, but won't change the

number of moles of acid or base inside it. And the concentration of acid or base is calculated

from the amount of acid and base so the wet Erlenmeyer flask will not affect the result of

titration

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 3. How do you tell if you have exceeded the equivalence point in your titration?

The titration experiment is performed between strong acid (HCl) and strong base (NaOH)

solutions. The pH value at the equivalence point must be equal to 7. Thus we need to use an

indicator that has a pH range of color change (endpoint) of nearly 7. Because the color of an

acidic and basic form of the indicator is different, it can tell us when the equivalent point has

exceeded. For example, the color of phenolphthalein will be pink at a pH higher than 8.2. So,

when the color of the solution turns light pink, it means the titration has exceeded the equivalent

point.

Discussion

When phenolphthalein is used as an indicator, the concentration of HCl is 0.6, but when

methyl orange is used, the concentration is 0.58. Because of this, it is revealed that the endpoint

of methyl orange is in the range of 3.0 - 4.4, which suggests that the titration technique will

require less NaOH to reach the endpoint than it will reach the equivalence point. Given that

phenolphthalein has an endpoint that falls between 8.2 and 10.00, the titration procedure will

need more NaOH than is required to reach the equivalence point, as well as more Methyl orange

than is necessary. As a result, phenolphthalein generates more HCl than methyl orange when

exposed to light.

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Calculation

The equation of the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide in
equilibrium is listed below

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) ⟶ NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

From the reaction above, the mole ratio of HCl : NaOH = 1 : 1

The calculation of the concentration of acid was primarily done by using the dilute

formula:

𝑀1𝑉1 = 𝑀2𝑉2

where 𝑀1 is the molarity of acid, 𝑉1 is the volume of acid, 𝑀2 is the molarity of base, and 𝑉2 is

the volume base.

Trial 1 in Phenolphthalein

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑉𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 𝑀𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻𝑉𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑥 10.00 𝑚𝐿 0.500 𝑀 𝑥 12.00 𝑚𝐿

1,000
= 1,000

MHCl = 0.600 M

Trial 2 in Phenolphthalein

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑉𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 𝑀𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻𝑉𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑥 10.00 𝑚𝐿 0.50 𝑀 𝑥 12.00 𝑚𝐿

1,000
= 1,000

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 MHCl = 0.600 M

Average concentration in phenolphthalein as indicator;

0.600+0.600
2
= 0. 600 M

Trial 1 in Methyl orange

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑉𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 𝑀𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻𝑉𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑥 10.00 𝑚𝐿 0.500 𝑀 𝑥 11.50 𝑚𝐿

1,000
= 1,000

MHCl = 0.575 M

Trial 2 in Methyl orange

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑉𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 𝑀𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻𝑉𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑥 10.00 𝑚𝐿 0.500 𝑀 𝑥 11.50 𝑚𝐿

1,000
= 1,000

MHCl = 0.575 M

Average concentration in methyl orange as indicator ;

0.575 + 0.575
2
= 0. 575 M

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Conclusion

The experiments are an investigation of titration between strong acid and strong base via

titration technique. These experiments focus on the effect of indicators toward determination of

concentration of HCl. The results show that the determined concentrations of HCl are

significantly different by varying indicators of phenolphthalein and methyl orange. From this

result can be concluded that the difference between the end-point and the equivalent point

provides error of titration. Thus, the most accurate concentration is provided when the

experiment is kept as small as possible by the proper choice of an end-point related to the types

of acid and base in the neutralization reaction.

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Error/Suggestion

When the reaction between the two solutions comes to a standstill, the titration is

complete. When indicators change color to indicate that a reaction has ceased, the shift is not

instantaneous. When used in an acid-base titration, the indicator's color may brighten somewhat

before completely changing color. Additionally, each individual interprets color differently,

which affects the outcome of the experiment. If the color of the solution has changed somewhat,

an excessive quantity of titrant from the burette may be applied, resulting in overshooting. To

achieve accurate titration, it is critical to precisely determine the volume of substances employed.

Burette markings, on the other hand, are frequently misconstrued. One way to misread the

volume measurement is to observe it at an angle. From above, the apparent volume appears to be

smaller, but from below, it appears to be greater. Another method of determining inaccuracy is to

glance in the wrong direction. The volume of a solution is determined at the bottom of the

concave curve. If the reading is taken from the curve's top portions, the volume measurement

will be incorrect.

Concentration errors have a direct impact on measurement accuracy. The most frequent

sort of mistake occurs when the initial concentration is wrong, which can occur as a result of

chemical breakdown or fluid evaporation. It is possible that the solution was prepared incorrectly

or that contaminants were introduced into it, for example, when contaminated equipment was

used. Even the technique for cleaning your equipment, if performed incorrectly, may influence

the concentrations of the solutions being tested.

Students must adhere to stringent criteria for handling and operating the equipment

throughout the experiment, as even the tiniest error might result in inaccurate findings. For

instance, spinning the solution may result in a loss of solution, which may alter the results.

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Filling errors might result in the formation of air bubbles in the burette, blocking the liquid's

flow.

Additionally, human or equipment-related mistakes are conceivable. When the incorrect

reagents are chosen or the inappropriate quantity of indicator is employed, a human error occurs.

Burettes are the most common source of an equipment error, as they can develop leaks over time.

Even a small amount of fluid loss will affect the titration results.

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