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GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

REPORT 2
EXPERIMENT 2: pH AND BUFFERS

Group: 3 Section: Wednesday morning Date: 9/3/2022

Group members: Châu Thành Huy_BEBEIU20018

Bùi Nhật Khoa_BEBEIU20028

Nguyễn Đỗ Kim Ngân_BEBEIU20221

Nguyễn Lê Bảo Long_ITITIU20138

Score: __________

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1. pH OF DEIONIZED WATER

Observed pH
Time
Explanation
(second)
1st 2nd
0 7.88 7,80
20 7,71 7,68
40 7,52 7,50 - Deionized water theoretically should
have a pH of 7. However, the moment it
60 7,46 7,50
encounters the air, CO2 gas starts to
80 7,24 7,20
react with water, forming carbonic acid
100 7,17 7,03 and lowering the pH of the solution.
120 6,87 7,00 - Both experiments show that stirring
140 6,98 7,01 helps CO2 gas dissolves faster, so the
160 pH keeps decreasing.
…
…

Comments:

- Due to the presence of CO2 gas in the air, a solution exposed to open air is bound to have
its pH decreased gradually but only to a certain point since the maximum concentration
of CO2 in the solution is affected by the percentage of CO2 in the air.
- Any mixing motion will help the gas dissolve faster.

2. pH OF STRONG ACID

Theoretical Measured pH
Solution Comments/ Explanation
pH 1st 2nd
- At the beginning of the
10 mL of 0.1M HCl 1 1,30 1,68 experiment, the pH level
of 10ml 0.1M HCl was
Add 90 mL of distilled 1,68.
2 2,32 1,18 - After diluting it with
water
90ml of distilled water,
the pH level of the
Add 10 mL of 0.1M
7 11,69 10,78 solution has decreased
NaOH
dramatically.
- Then, when added 10
Add 90 mL of 0.01M mL of 0.1M NaOH, the
11.65 11,90 11,90
NaOH
pH of the mixture

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developed to 2.14. This

is because of the
reaction of the acid HCl
and the base NaOH:
HCl + NaOH → NaCl +
H2O
- NaCl is known popularly
as salt, and its pH level is
7. Although in the lab
section, the pH is h

Comments:
- The pH of strong acids varies from 0 to 3.
- The pH of strong bases varies from 12 to 14.
- The pH of salt is 12.
- If we add more acid or base to the salt, the pH will change.

3. pH OF WEAK ACID
Measured pH
Solution Ka Comments/ Explanation
1st 2nd
- The pH of the acidic solution
is always lower than 7.0, so
the recorded pH values of
0.1M acetic acid 2,57 2,59 𝟕𝟕, 𝟏𝟏 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟓𝟓 acetic acid range from about
3 to 5.
- As we diluted the acetic acid,
the pH of it rose. This is
when the acetic acid's
concentration decreases, its
acidity will be reduced.
0.01M acetic acid 2,67 2,98 𝟐𝟐, 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟓𝟓 - We can find Ka, and we
can also determine whether
an acetic acid is a weak or
strong acid by applying the
equation
pKa= - log(Ka).
- Theoretically, the pH of
0.1M acetic acid is 1
according to pH=
0.001M acetic acid 2,98 5,83 𝟓𝟓, 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟔𝟔 log[H3O+]. However, the
recorded pH of 0.1M acetic
acid is 2.98, which shows
that only a small amount of
acetic acid dissociates and
forms a little H3O+.
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Therefore, acetic acid is

weak acid. The same results
can be found in the 2
remaining cases.

Comments:
MA x VA = MB x VB ⇒VA= 2mL ⇒ Vwater 1 = 18mL
- Similarly with solution C: MB x VB = MC x VC ⇒VB = 2mL ⇒ Vwater 2 = 18mL
- We have:

CH3COOH ⇆ H + + CH3COO-
0.1M
x x x
0.1-x x x
o pH= - log[H+ ]= - log[x]

[𝐻𝐻 + ][𝐴𝐴− ] 𝑥𝑥 2
o Ka= =
[𝐻𝐻𝐴𝐴] 0,1−𝑥𝑥

4. pH OF SALTS
Predicted Measured pH
Solution Averaged Ka Explanation
pH 1st 2nd
- NaCl is a neural salt, so
0.1M NaCl 7 6,72 6,24 𝟏𝟏, 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 the pH value is around
7.0.
- CH3COONa is a salt
made of ion Na+ which
0.1M is a strongly basic ion,
>7 7,21 7,34 𝟐𝟐, 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
CH3COONa and CH3COO- which is a
weakly acidic ion;
CH3COONa is a basic salt
whose pH is more than
7.0
- NH4Cl is a salt made of
ion NH4+, which is a
0.1M NH4Cl <7 5,85 5,87 𝟏𝟏, 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 weakly basic ion and
Cl- which is a strongly
acidic ion; NH4Cl is an
acidic salt whose pH is
less than 7.0

Comments:
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- In the case of NaCl, the pH level is reduced slightly due to the reaction with CO2 in the air.
NaCl +H2O + CO2 → Na2CO3 + HCl.
- The product HCl makes the pH level of the salt reduce.

5. pH OF BUFFERS
 Section 2 Buffer A

Calculated Measured pH
Volume Volume
Volume Volume pH
(mL) 0.1M (mL) 0.1M
Buffer 0.1M HCL 0.1M NaOH (expected
CH3COOH CH3COONa
result) 1st 2nd

A 10 40 0 0 5.36 4.57 4.61

A1 25 0 0 5.36 4.50 4.57

A2 25 0 0 5.36 4.82 4.84

A11 25 10 drops 0 5.18 5.11 5.11

A12 25 100 drops 0 4.10 4.33 4.35

A21 25 0 10 drops 5.38 5.14 5.15

A22 25 0 100 drops 6.36 6.08 6.10

Data Calculation:

a. Expected pH result of A
- Determining the [Acid], [Base] and the pH value:
- pKa of acetic acid is 4.76

10
𝑛𝑛𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀1 ⋅ 𝑉𝑉1 = 0,1 × = 0,001 (𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)
1000
40
𝑛𝑛𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀2 ⋅ 𝑉𝑉2 = 0,1 × = 0,004 (𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)
1000
CH3COOH ↔ CH3COO- + H+

0.01 x x (mol)

CH3COONa  CH3COO- + Na+

0.004 0.004 0.004 (mol)

𝑛𝑛 0.001
[Acid] = [CH3COOH] = = = 0.02 𝑀𝑀
𝑉𝑉 0.01+0.04

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𝑛𝑛 0.004
[Base] = [CH3COONa] = = = 0.08 𝑀𝑀
𝑉𝑉 0.01+0.04

𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑒𝑒 0,08
 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑃𝑃𝑘𝑘𝑎𝑎 + 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � � = 4.76 + 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � � = 5.36
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 0,02
- We use the same calculating method to calculate the pH of A1 and A2

b. When HCl is added to the buffer solution, the pH value decreases slowly.

CH3COOH(aq) + H2O ⇆ CH3COO-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

CH3COONa(aq) → CH3COO-(aq) +Na+(aq)

- It can be seen from the chemical equation that CH3COOH dissociates partially to produce
CH3COO- and H3O+. CH3COONa is entirely ionized in a water solution.

- If we add a little volume of HCl to the solution, hydrogen ions will combine with
ethanoate anions, producing a little more undissociated ethanoic; thus, the pH will not
change significantly since there is no rise in hydrogen ion concentration.  It requires an
exceedingly large amount of H+ to change the pH of a buffer solution by 1 unit

c. When NaOH is added to the buffer solution, the pH value increases very slowly.

- If a strong base is added to the buffer compound, the hydroxide ions will be neutralized
by the hydrogen ions, making it resist the change in pH  It requires an exceedingly large
amount of OH- to change the pH of a buffer solution by 1 unit

d. Comment and explanation

- The pH calculated and the pH measured in the buffers are slightly different in the
beginning (buffer A, A1, and A2), which were lower than expected. The reason might be
because:
o The method errors when we are mixing the solution.
o We have not thoroughly rinsed the pH meter electrode's tip or have not waited
when the pH meter is running stably after washing.

 Section 3: Buffer B

Volume Volume (mL) Measured pH

Calculated pH
Volume Volume
Buffer (mL) 0.1M 0.1M (expected
0.1M HCL 0.1M NaOH
CH3COOH CH3COONa result) 1st 2nd

B 40 10 0 0 4,16 3,89 3,87

B1 25 0 0 4,16 3,77 3,65

B2 25 0 0 4,16 3,60 3,32

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B11 25 10 drops 0 4,10 3,62 3,48

B12 25 118 drops 0 2,89 2,87 2,81
,
B21 25 0 10 drops 4,30 3,92 3,93

B22 25 0 196 drops 4,98 4,94 5,01

Comments and explanation:

a. Data Calculation:
- Determining the [Acid], [Base] and the pH value:
- pKa of acetic acid is 4,76

40
𝑛𝑛𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀1 ⋅ 𝑉𝑉1 = 0,1 × = 0,004 (𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)
1000
10
𝑛𝑛𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝐶𝑀𝑀2 ⋅ 𝑉𝑉2 = 0,1 × = 0,001 (𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)
1000
CH3COOH ↔ CH3COO- + H+

0,004 x x (mol)

CH3COONa à CH3COO- + Na+

0.001 0.001 0.001 (mol)

𝑛𝑛 0.004
[Acid] = [CH3COOH] = = = 0.08 𝑀𝑀
𝑉𝑉 0.01+0.04

𝑛𝑛 0.001
[Base] = [CH3COONa] = = = 0.02 𝑀𝑀
𝑉𝑉 0.01+0.04

𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑒𝑒 0,02
 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑃𝑃𝑘𝑘𝑎𝑎 + 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � � = 4.76 + 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � � = 4,16
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 0,08
b. Add HCl to butter B

- When we add a little volume of HCl into butter B, we can see hydrogen ions will combine
with ethanoate anions, producing a little more undissociated ethanoic. Because there is
not enough increase in hydrogen ion concentration, the pH will not change much. So, the
solutions require an exceedingly large amount of H+ to change the pH of a buffer solution
by 1 unit

c. Add NaOH to butter B

- Because NaOH is a strong base, the hydroxide ions will be neutralized by the hydrogen
ions and make solutions resisting the change in pH. Nevertheless, it decreases slowly due
to OH- drops in. So, It requires an exceedingly large amount of OH- to change the pH of a
buffer solution by 1 unit
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d. Comments and explanation:

- The pH calculated and measured in the buffers varies somewhat, and the measurement is
always lower than the computation. This might be due to erroneous mixing
measurements or, more crucially, CO2 gas in the air.

Semester II: 2021-2022