International University, Vietnam National University - HCMC

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REPORT

Experiment 2: pH and Buffers

Group: 4 - Section 1 - Date: 17/09/2022

Group member:

% Contribution
Seq. Full name Student ID Signature Score
(Total = 100%)

1 Nguyễn Thiện Tống BEBEIU21280 20

2 Nguyễn Thành Trí BEBEIU21283 20

3 Võ Đại Trí BEBEIU21271 20

4 Trương Quang Trường ITITIU20130 20

5 Huỳnh Anh Tú IEIEIU21145 20

Total score:____/15

Table of contents
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I.Introduction……………………………………………………………………………… Page 4
II.Experimental methods…………………………………………………………………..Page 5
1. pH of deionized water……………………………………………………………….. Page 5
2. pH of strong acid……………………………………………………………………...Page 6
3. pH of weak acid……………………………………………………………………… Page 6
4. pH of salts…………………………………………………………………………… Page 6
5. pH of Buffers…………………………………………………………………………. Page
6
III.Results and discussion………………………………………………………………….Page 7
1. pH of deionized water………………………………………………………………... Page 7
2. pH of strong acid……………………………………………………………………...Page 8
3. pH of weak acid……………………………………………………………………… Page 9
4. pH of salt…………………………………………………………………………… Page 11
5. pH of buffer………………………………………………………………………….Page 12
Part 1: Addition of 10 drops 0.1M HCl……………………………………………... Page
13
Part 2: Addition of 10 drops 0.1M NaOH…………………………………………..Page 14
IV.Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………...Page
15

List of tables
Laboratory instrument …………………………………………………………………………. Page 3

List of chemicals used …………………………………………………………………………..Page 3

Table 1. Measured result of pH change in deionized water …………………………………… Page 7

Table 2. Measured result of pH change of hydrochloric acid …………………………………. Page 8

Table 3. Measured results of acetic acid ……………………………………………………… Page 10

Table 4. Measured result of pH of different salts ……………………………………………...Page 11

Table 5. Measured result of pH of 2 different buffer solutions ………………………………..Page

12

Table 5.1. Measured result of pH change to buffer solutions when adding HCl ……………... Page 13

Table 5.2. Measured result of pH change to buffer solutions when adding NaOH …………... Page 14

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Laboratory instrument:

Volume flasks 4

Small beakers 2

Big beaker 1

Stirring rod 1

pH meter 1

Bottle of distilled water 1

Volumetric pipette 1

Test tube track 1

Cylinder 1

List of chemicals used:

Experiment Chemicals used

1 -Deionized water

-0.1M Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

-Distilled water
2
-0.1M sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

-0.01M sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

-0.1M acetic acid (CH3COOH)

3 -0.01M acetic acid (CH3COOH)

-0.001M acetic acid (CH3COOH)

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-0.1M sodium chloride (NaCl)

4 -0.1M sodium Acetate (CH3COONa)

-0.1M ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)

-0.1M acetic acid (CH3COOH)

-0.1M sodium Acetate (CH3COONa)

5
-0.1M Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

-0.1M sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

I. Introduction

The acidity or basicity of a solution is represented by pH. The lower the pH, the greater the

acidity, and the higher the pH, the greater the basicity. The concentrations of hydrogen ions (H +)

and hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution allow us to calculate the acid/base level. When an acid

donates protons, it produces hydrogen ions (H-) or hydronium ions (H3O+), while a base accepts

protons and produces hydroxide ions (OH-).

Water, also known as amphoteric, can be either acidic or basic. In other words, protons are both

given and received by water.

2H2O → H3O+ + OH-

At the equilibrium, the ion product of water is only 1 x 10-14 at 25oC

Kw = [H3O+][OH-] = 10-14

Calculation of pH:

pH = -log[H3O+]

pH + pOH = 14

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[H+][OH-] = 1 x 10-14

In neutral solutions, pH = 7

In acidic solutions, pH < 7

In basic solutions, pH > 7

In water, strong acids and bases completely dissociate to form hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions,

as appropriate. Weak acids only partially dissociate and produce very little or no H +. This

indicates that a balance between the dissociated and undissociated forms has been achieved:

HA ↔ H+ + A-

The acid ionization constant (Ka), also known as the acid dissociation constant (K a), is an

equilibrium constant that describes the ionization or dissociation of an acid and measures the

acid's strength in solution.

Ka = ¿ ¿

A buffer is a substance that can withstand a significant pH change in response to a small acid or

base addition. A weak conjugate acid-base pair, either a weak acid and its conjugate base or a

weak base and its conjugate acid, must make up a buffer in order to maintain a pH range. The

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation can be used to calculate changes in the pH of buffer solutions.

pH = p K a +log ¿

II. Experimental methods

1. pH of deionized water

Firstly, a cylinder was used to measure out 50 mL of distilled water, which was then poured into

a beaker. Then, stirring for 20 seconds continuously with a stir rod was followed by recording

the pH using a pH meter. Lastly, repeat step 2 until the pH value was not significantly changed.

In the process, the second phase has repeated a total of nine times.

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2. pH of strong acid

Preparing 10ml 0.1M HCl was taken along with approximately 20ml 0.1M NaOH and 100 ml

0.01 NaOH solution was prepared by mixing 10 ml 0.1M NaOH and 90 ml H 2O. After

preparation, 10 ml 0.1M HCl was taken by pipette, dripped to the volumetric flask containing

100 ml 0.01M NaOH solution and the pH was recorded by the pH meter. Next, 90 mL distilled

water was added to the solution. The solution was stirred by the stir rod and the pH was recorded

by the pH meter. Then, 10 mL 0.1M NaOH is added to the solution. The solution is stirred by the

stir rod and the pH was recorded by the pH meter. Lastly, 90 mL 0.01M NaOH was added to the

solution. The solution is stirred by the stir rod and the pH is recorded by the pH meter.

3. pH of weak acid

Solution A was prepared with 0.1M NaCl, solution B was ready with 0.01M CH3COOH by

diluting solution A 10 times and solution C was diluted solution B 10 times or solution A 100

times. After that, the pH and Ka of three solutions by taking 20 mL of each was recorded.

4. pH of salts

Solution A, B, C, respectively, were prepared with 0.1M NaCl, 0.1M CH 3COONa and 0.1M

NH4Cl. After that, the pH and Ka of three solutions by taking 20 mL of each is recorded.

5. pH of Buffers

Beakers 1, 2, 3, 4, respectively, were prepared with 50 mL 0.1M CH 3COOH, 50 mL 0.1M

CH3COONa, 40 mL 0.1M HCl and 40 mL 0.1M NaOH. After preparing, 10 mL 0.1M

CH3COOH and 40 mL 0.1M CH3COONa were mixed to have buffer A, then the pH was

recorded twice by the pH meter. The solution is divided equally into buffer A1 and buffer A2,

then the pH was recorded again. Next, 10 drops 0.1M HCl was added to A1 solution by dropper

and 10 drops 0.1 NaOH was added to A2 solution by dropper. More drops 0.1M HCl was added

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to A1 solution and more drops 0.1 NaOH was added to A2 solution to change the pH by one unit

from the start. The VHCl in drops are recorded for both. Last section, to make buffer B, mix 40

mL of 0.1 M CH3COOH with 10 mL of 0.1 M CH 3COONa. The pH is then measured twice with

a pH meter. After dividing the solution equally between buffers B1 and B2, the pH is once more

measured. 10 drops of 0.1M HCl was added into the B1 solution and 10 drops of 0.1 NaOH was

added into the B2 solution. Adjusting the pH by one unit from the beginning, more drops of

0.1M HCl were added to B1 solution, and more drops of 0.1 NaOH were added to B2 solution.

For both, the VHCl in drops was noted.

III. Results and discussion

1. pH of deionized water

Table 1. Measured result of pH change in deionized water

Observed pH
Time Explanation
(second) 1st 2nd
(Group 4) (Group 1)

0 5.35 6.3 Following theory, the extent of distilled water is very

small, the concentration of H3O+ and H+ are equaled. So,

20 5.7 6.16
the pH value of water is nearly 7.
40 5.55 6.12 After doing the first experiment, our group (group 4)

60 5.50 6.09 found out the pH value of distilled water decreased from

5.7 to 5.5 and 5.58 to 5.56. Also the same result as group
80 5.52 6.00
1, it dropped from 6.3 to 5.8.

100 5.58 5.95 The reason why our group had a little increase from 5.52

to 5.58 is that maybe the container of the water or the

120 5.56 5.88

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140 5.57 5.80

160 5.5 5.77

stirring rod has a little quantity of base so it pushed the

pH up which leads to the change of the pH value of

Based on the theory, the pH value of distilled water must be nearly 7. But after doing this
water.

experiment, the pH value that we received is different from 7 and also different from group 1.

Perhaps the container of the water or the stirring rod that our group used has an amount

of base. Therefore the pH value of our group is unequal with others.

So, in reality, the final result of the experiment is affected by a lot of factors. In order to

have an exact result, we need to be careful and make sure we have the criterion condition to do

the experiment.

2. pH of strong acid

Table 2. Measured result of pH change of hydrochloric acid

Measured pH
Theoretical
Solution 1st 2nd Explanation
pH
(Group 4) (Group 1)

10 mL of HCl was a strong acid so its pH

1 1.3 1.71
0.1M HCl value was small as the [H+] = 0.1

involved in.
Add 90 mL of
2 3.4 2.9 When adding the distilled water into
distilled water
HCl, the solution is diluted and the
Add 10 mL of 7 9.8 10.92 concentration of H+ decrease. The
0.1M NaOH current [H+] = 0,01, thus the pH

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Add 90 mL of
11.65 11.04 11.5
0.01M NaOH value calculated is 2.

The pH value kept increasing due to

the addition of NaOH (strong base)

to the mixture, the [OH-] increased

Data calculation: and formed a water molecule.

The mole of 10mL of 0,1 M HCl: n = CM x V = 0,1 x 0,01 = 0,001 (mole)

The theoretical pH of 10mL of 0,1 M HCl: pH = - log[0,1] = 1

After adding 90mL of distilled water, the V of solution increased to 100mL = 0,1L

n 0.001
Thus,[H+] = =¿ =¿ 0,01M
V 0.1

The theoretical pH of 0,01M HCl: pH= -log[0,01] = 2

After adding 90mL of 0,1M NaOH, the V of solution increased to 190mL = 0,19L

The mole of adding OH = Cm x V = 0,01 x 0,09 = 9 x 10-4 (mole)

( )
−4 −4
n
The current [OH-]¿ =¿ 9 ×10 . Thus, the final = 14 - ( −log (9× 10 ) ) =11.65
V 0.19 0.19

3. pH of weak acid

Table 3. Measured results of acetic acid

Measured pH
Averaged
Solution 1 st
2nd Explanation
Ka
(Group 4) (Group 1)

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Acid acetic is a weak acid, so it

dissociates partially in the solution. This

0.1M substance has [H+]=[A-]

3.7 4.13 2.26x10-7
acetic acid
Ka1 = (10-3.7)2 / 0.1 = 3.98x10-7

Ka2 = (10-4.13)2 / 0.1 = 5.49x10-8

The dissociation of H+ decreased as

solution concentration decreased.

0.01M
4.8 5.5 1.305x10-9
Ka1 = (10-4.8)2 / 0.1 = 2.51x10-9
acetic acid

Ka2 = (10-5.5)2 / 0.1 = 1x10-10

H+ dissociation decreased as solution

concentration decreased.
0.001M
6.58 5.84 2.1491x10-11
Ka1 = (10-6.58)2 / 0.1 = 6.91x10-13
acetic acid

Ka2 = (10-5.84)2 / 0.1 = 2.08x10-11

We have a given equation to calculate:

Ka = [H+][A-] / [HA]

From the above result, the concentration of solution influences the pH of the solution. The lower

the equilibrium constant Ka, the higher the pH, and vice versa.

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4. pH of salt

Table 4. Measured result of pH of different salts

Measure pH
Predicted
Solution 1st 2nd Explanation
pH
(Group 4) (Group 1)

The pH of salt is ~7, but it is

measured at around 4.44 in this

0.1M NaCl ~7 4.44 5.24
experiment. This could be due to

technical issues with the pH meter.

CH3COONa is a salt formed by

combining a weak acid and a strong

0.1M base. It dissociates in solution into

>7 6.5 6.56
CH3COONa CH3COO- and Na+. The pH

measurement is close to the predicted

pH.

NH4Cl is a salt formed by combining

a weak base and a strong acid. It

dissociates in solution into NH4+ and

0.1M NH4Cl <7 5.11 5.75 Cl-. Ion Cl- is a neutral ion. However,

because Cl- is a strong acid, the pH of

the solution is less than 7. The pH

value is almost exactly predicted.

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The pH measurement is close to the predicted pH in experiment 1, which could be due to

technical issues with the pH meter or the stir being mixed with some impurities.

5. pH of buffer

Table 5. Measured result of pH of 2 different buffer solutions

Volume (mL) Volume (mL) Measured pH

Calculated
Buffer 0,1M 0.1M [Acid] [Base] 1st 2nd
pH
CH3COOH CH3COONa (Group 4) (Group 1)

5.74 (1sttime) 6.00 (1sttime)

A 10.0 40.0 0.02M 0.08M 5.34
5.81 (2ndtime) 5.99 (2ndtime)

4.9 (1sttime) 5.09 (1sttime)

B 40.0 10.0 0.08M 0.02M 5.01
4.64 (2ndtime) 4.38 (2ndtime)

Data Calculation:

Determining the [Acid], [Base] and the pH value:

Mixture A:

CH3COOH ↔ CH3COO- + H+

0.001 0.001 0.001 (mol)

CH3COONa ↔ CH3COO- + Na+

0.004 0.004 0.004 (mol)

n 0.001
[Acid] = [CH3COOH] = = =0.02(M )
V 0.01+ 0.04

n 0.004
[Base] = [CH3COONa] = = =0.08( M )
V 0.01+ 0.04

n
CH3COO-= 0.004 + x ≃ 0.004

The equilibrium constant of CH3COOH is 1.8 × 10-5

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Ka = ¿ ¿

⇒ x= 4.5× 10-5 (M)

Thus the pH is pH= -log[x] = 5.34

Part 1: Addition of 10 drops 0.1M HCl

Table 5.1. Measured result of pH change to buffer solutions when adding HCl

Total volume
pH from HCl (drops) to
pH after adding
Buffer the start, change pH by Explanation
10 drops HCl
pH0 one unit (pH0-
1)

While CH3COONa entirely

dissociates in solution, weak

4.74 (367 acid CH3COOH only partially

A 5.74 5.61
drops) does so.

CH3COO- + H+ → CH3COOH

Na+ + CH3COO- → CH3COONa

Although it is clear that the

B 4.66 4.59 3.59 (361
ethanoate ions outnumber the H+
drops)
ions in the solution, the pH of

the mixture is still acidic since it

also contains CH3COOH,

CH3COO-, H+, and Na+ from

CH3COONa and CH3COOH.

When 0.1M HCl is added,

ethanoate ions react with the H+

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from the HCl, remove the

surplus H+, and form additional

CH3COOH. As a result, the pH

value
When we added acid HCL into the buffer, the value pH ofdecreased
the solution
becauseis the
not

concentration of H+ increased.

The reality volume in the experiment is different compared with the theoretical one
due to the laboratory conditions and mistakes during experimental procedure.

Part 2: Addition of 10 drops 0.1M NaOH

Table 5.2. Measured result of pH change to buffer solutions when adding NaOH

pH from Total volume NaOH

pH after adding
Buffer the start, (drops) to change pH Explanation
10 drops NaOH
pH0 by one unit (pH0-1)

When NaOH is added to

A 5.69 6.2 6.7 (20 drops)
the solution, acetic acid

CH3COOH reacts with

B 4.64 4.74 5.63 (60 drops)
NaOH to form CH3COO-

to generate CH3COONa,

shifting the equilibrium of

the solution to the right,

therefore the pH of the

solution does not increase

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significantly.
When we added base NaOH to the buffer, the value pH increased because the

concentration of H+ decreased.

The reality volume in the experiment is different compared with the theoretical one due

to the laboratory conditions and mistakes during experimental procedure.

IV. Conclusion

In actuality, determining whether a solution is acidic, basic, or neutral has important

implications. This affects how reaction results are predicted. Strong acids and bases can

completely dissolve in water, but weak acids and bases can only do so partially. As a result, a

balance between the dissociated and undissociated forms is established.

A buffer, which consists of a weak conjugate acid-base pair—either a weak acid and its

conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid—maintains the pH range.

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