Date: November 15, 2021

Lab#: 2
Title: Standardization of Sulphuric Acid with Sodium Carbonate
Aim: To determine the concentration of a solution of sulphuric acid using a standard solution
of sodium carbonate.
Apparatus and Materials: Burette, (50.00 cm3). pipette (25.00 cm3), filter funnel, sulphuric
acid solution (unknown concentration), sodium carbonate
solution (0.1 M), screened methyl orange indicator
Procedure:
1. The burette was rinsed and filled with sulphuric acid. The initial reading was
recorded.
2. The pipette was rinsed with some of the sodium carbonate solution and 25 cm3 aliquot
of sodium carbonate was carefully transferred to a clean Erlenmeyer flask.
3. Two (2) drops of the screened methyl orange indicator was added and the flask was
swirled.
4. Sulphuric Acid was run from the burette into the flask, with swirling until the solution
changed from green to pale grey. The burette reading was recorded.
5. The titrations were repeated thrice and two concordant results were obtained.
Results:
THE VOLUME OF SULPHURIC ACID REQUIRED TO REACH THE ENDPOINT
Total Volume (cm3) 1 2 3
Initial Volume 7.30 14.70 21.62
Final Volume 14.70 21.62 28.51
Total Volume Used 7.40 6.92 6.89
Average Titre Volume 6.91

Equation for the Reaction:

Na2CO3 (aq) + H2SO4 (aq) → Na2SO4 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
Number of moles of Sodium Carbonate in 25 cm3 of the standard solution
1000 cm3 → 0.1 mol
25 cm3 → 𝑥
25 𝑐𝑚3 𝑥 0.1 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑥= 1000 𝑐𝑚3

𝑥 = 2.5 𝑥 10−3 𝑚𝑜𝑙

Using Mole Ratio, the number of moles of Sulphuric Acid in the mean Volume of Acid
Used
Using mole ratio = Na2CO3 → H2SO4 = 1:1
Na2CO3 = 2.5 x 10 -3 mol; then
2.5 𝑥 10−3 𝑚𝑜𝑙
H2SO4 = 1

H2SO4 = 2.5 x 10 -3 mol

Molar Concentration of Sulphuric Acid Solution
25 cm3 → 2.5 x 10-3 mol
1000 cm3 → 𝑥
2.5 𝑥 10−3 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 1000 𝑐𝑚3
𝑥= 25 𝑐𝑚3

𝑥 = 0.1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑚−3
Mass Concentration of Sulphuric Acid Solution
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0.1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑚−3 𝑥 98 𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 9.8 𝑔𝑑𝑚−3
Limitations:
• End-point may have not coincided with the equivalence point because the colour
change may not have been detected instantly.
• There may have been an air bubble in the stopcock of the burette during titration
which may have caused incorrect volume readings.
Conclusion:
The Molar Concentration and Mass Concentration of sulphuric acid is 0.1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑚−3 and
9.8 𝑔𝑑𝑚−3 respectively.
Reflection:
My understanding of the titration process has improved as a result of this experiment. From
this experiment, I have learnt how properly differentiate between the pipette and the burette,
something which has always been a trouble for me to do. Titration is relevant in everyday life
because it is used to analyse the purity of medicines. I will publish my results in the local
newspaper.