ENCHEM1L: Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory

Experiment No.: 7

Water Analysis

I. Objective

This activity aims to

a) determine the pH and conductivity of water.

b) test the solubility of different chemicals in water.
c) purify the water using adsorption and hydroxide precipitation.

II. Topic Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

a) Learn how to compare conductivity of water samples.

b) Learn how to check the pH of water samples.
c) Learn how to test solubility of substances in water.
d) Learn how to purify the water using activated carbon for adsorption and hydroxide precipitation
processes.

III. Discussion

Water is a polar inorganic compound that has unique properties. Water is also an amphoteric
compound that can act either as an acid or base. It undergoes autoionization, the process in which water
spontaneously forms low concentrations of H3O+ and OH - ions by proton transfer from one water
molecule to another. Pure water is neutral with pH equal to 7. In general, water with a pH lower than 7
is considered acidic, and with a pH greater than 7 is considered basic. The pH can be measured accurately
using a pH meter.

Water is the universal solvent because of the polar nature of its molecules. It can dissolve many
compounds, thereby forming aqueous solutions with these compounds. Electrolytes are substances that
ionize when dissolve in water and form a solution that conducts an electric current. Conductivity is a
measure of water's capability to pass electrical flow. This ability is directly related to the concentration of
ions in the water. These conductive ions come from dissolved salts and inorganic materials such as alkalis,
chlorides, sulfides, and carbonate compounds. Conductivity is useful as a general measure of water
quality.

Water can be purified using adsorption and hydroxide precipitation. Adsorption is the process of
separating the constituent of a fluid by transferring it to the surface of a solid phase which is the
adsorbent. Adsorbents with large surface area and porous can adsorb ions or molecules. Materials such
as activated carbon, zeolite, silica gel, etc. are good adsorbents, thus can be used for adsorption process.
Hydroxide precipitation, on the other hand, relies on the process of precipitating metal ions into metal
hydroxide by increasing the pH of the metal ion solution. These two processes are used to treat
wastewater to achieve a clean water.

National University Fairview, College of Engineering and Technology – General Engineering

ENCHEM1L: Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory

IV. Materials

Test tube rack naphthalene powder 3 - filter paper

6 – test tubes calcium carbonate powder ruler

1 – Graduated Cylinder (10 mL) potassium chloride powder

1 – Graduated Cylinder (100 mL) ethyl alcohol

2 – beaker (500 mL) coconut oil

3 – beaker (100 mL) Zeolite

2 – Erlenmeyer flask (250 mL) Activated carbon powder

1 – stirring rod 300 ppm Methylene Blue Solution

1 – dropper 0.1 M CuSO4

2 – watch glass 0.5 M NaOH

1 - funnel distilled water

1 – conductivity apparatus mineral water

1 – pH meter tap water

1 – electronic balance alkaline water

V. Procedure

A. Solubility of different chemicals in water

1. Measure 5-mL of distilled water in 3 separate test tubes. Add a pinch of naphthalene, calcium
carbonate and potassium chloride to each test tubes respectively. Classify the added substance
as soluble, insoluble or slightly soluble in water.
2. Measure 5-mL of distilled water in 3 separate test tubes. Add 5-7 drops of ethanol and oil to each
test tubes respectively. Classify the added liquid substance as miscible, immiscible or partially
miscible in water.
3. Record the results in table 6.1.

B. pH of water

1. Transfer 50-mL of water sample to 100-mL beaker.

2. Dip the electrode of the pH meter into the water sample.
3. Determine the value of pH of water from the digital display of the pH meter.
4. Repeat procedures 1 to 4 using other water samples.
5. Record the results in table 6.2.

National University Fairview, College of Engineering and Technology – General Engineering

ENCHEM1L: Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory

C. Conductivity of water

1. Transfer 150-mL of water sample to 500-mL beaker.

2. Dip the conductivity apparatus to the water sample (with the supervision of your instructor).
3. Determine if the water sample exhibits poor or good conductivity.
4. Repeat procedures 1 to 3 using other water samples.
5. Record the results in table 6.3.

D. Adsorption of Methylene Blue using adsorbents

1. Transfer 25 mL of 300 ppm Methylene blue sol'n into 250 mL erlenmeyer flask.
2. Add 0.2 grams of activated carbon.
3. Mix it by swirling the flask for 10 minutes.
4. Do the same procedure for zeolite in another flask. Instead of using activated carbon, add 0.2
grams of zeolite to 25 mL of 300 ppm methylene blue sol’n.
5. After swirling for 10 minutes, let the adsorbents settle at the bottom of the flask.
6. Note the color of the two mixtures. Record it in table 6.4.

E. Hydroxide Precipitation of CuSO4

1. Transfer 30 mL of 0.1 M CuSO4 in 500 mL beaker.
2. Check the pH of the solution using pH meter. Record the result in Table 6.5
3. Add 0.5 M of NaOH to CuSO4 solution until precipitates appear and liquid solution becomes
clear and colorless.
4. Record the height (using ruler) and color of the precipitate while in solution in table 6.5.
5. Use pH meter to check the pH of the clear/colorless solution. Record the total volume of the
base added in the solution in table 6.5.

VI. Data and Result

Table 6.1 SOLUBILITY OF CHEMICALS IN WATER
Substances SOLUBLE SLIGHTLY INSOLUBLE
SOLUBLE
Naphthalene
Calcium carbonate
Potassium chloride
MISCIBLE PARTIALLY IMMISCIBLE
MISCIBLE
Ethanol
Cooking oil

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ENCHEM1L: Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory

Table 6.2 pH OF WATER

WATER pH pOH [H+] [OH-] Acidic/Basic/

SAMPLES (pH meter) Neutral
Distilled
Mineral
Alkaline
Tap

Table 6.3 CONDUCTIVITY OF WATER

WATER SAMPLES POOR GOOD NO

CONDUCTIVITY CONDUCTIVITY CONDUCTIVITY

Distilled

Mineral

Alkaline
Tap

Table 6.4 ADSORPTION OF METHYLENE BLUE SOL’N USING DIFFERENT ADSORBENTS

Adsorbents Color of the Methylene Blue sol’n after Adsorption Process

Activated Carbon

Zeolite

Table 6.5 HYDROXIDE PRECIPITATION OF CuSO4 SOLUTION

Initial color of the solution

Initial pH of the solution

Color of the precipitate

pH of the clear/colorless solution

Total volume of NaOH added in the solution

National University Fairview, College of Engineering and Technology – General Engineering

ENCHEM1L: Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory

VII. Treatment of Data and Result

Use tables, graphs, and/or charts to present your data. Solve for the pOH, H+, and OH- of each water
samples. Discuss the results obtained from the experiment.

VIII. Questions

1. What causes the pH of water to change?

2. What factors affect solubility of substances in water?

3. What are the factors affecting the adsorption of ions or molecules into the surface of adsorbent?

4. What is the meaning of the word “precipitation” based on the experiment?

IX. Conclusion

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