UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY (UMaT),

TARKWA
SCHOOL OF PETROLEUM STUDIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL AND PETROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

A REPORT ON DETERMINATION OF WATER HARDNESS BY

COMPLEXOMETRIC TITRATION

BY
FELIX YEBOAH
SPE41.014.114.21
CLASS: RP II

COURSE NAME: CHEMISTRY LABORATORY PRACTICES

COURSE CODE: RP 273

COURSE LECTURER: AMI JOHANNES

MARCH 2023
Abstract

A buffer is a solution that helps keep the pH of other solutions at a steady level with
the addition of limited acids or bases. The purpose of this experiment was prepare two
buffer solutions (CH3COOH+CH3COONa and H2CO3+NaHCO3 ) and the pH
determine by dipping a pH paper into the buffer solutions. The buffering action was
demonstrated by either adding an acid or base to the buffer and recording the new
pH.The four buffers were tested by adding 0.5mL of 0.1M NaOH and 0.5ml of 0.1M
HCL.The results found that acetate remained a buffer after addition of NaOH.
However, addition of HCL caused a dramatic pH drop because the proton (H+ ) from
the acid binded to neutral water molecules forming H3O+ which raised the
concentration of

Graphical abstract

In the graph shown, it depicts how the buffer helps to keep the pH levels steady for as
long as it can, but when too much base is added, the buffer will reach its capacity and
the excess base will cause the pH to rise quickly, while an addition of excess acid will
cause the pH to drop quickly.
Introduction

In the real world, pH levels are important in the function of many life processes. For
instance, the average human body’s average pH level is approximately 7.4, and if
there are any changes to that pH at all, no matter how small it may be, one would
eventually get sick and die, since the human body is not meant to handle such a large
fluctuation of pH levels. These pH levels are the measurement of Hydronium ions
(H3O+) in a solution and are measured on a pH scale going from 0 to 14, with 7 being
neutral, anything less than 7 would be considered acidic, and anything greater than 7
would be considered basic. One might wonder how a person’s pH levels do not
change so easily, and the answer is because of a solution is known as a buffer. The
main function of buffers is to help keep pH levels steady when a certain amount of
acids or bases are introduced in a solution. Once a buffer has reached its limit, the
solution will exponentially increase or decrease, depending on if a base or an acid
were used, respectively. . Buffers are made from weak acids or bases paired with their
conjugate bases or acids, and weak acids and bases are used because they do not
disassociate fully in a solution and the hydrogen or hydroxide (OH –) ions will mostly
stay connected to the other molecules, unlike strong acids or bases that will
completely dissociate into either the hydrogen or hydroxide ions.

In this experiment the pH of solutions were accurately measured using pH indicator

strips. And also buffer solutions were created and the effects of adding acid and base
to each solution was tested.
Aims and Objectives of experiment

The main objective of this experiment is to prepare different pH buffer solutions with a weak
conjugate acidbase pair, and determine the pH of the solutions.Mix the pH buffer solutions with
hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide in order to understand how buffers resist changes in pH
upon the addition of acid and base solutions.

Apparatus/Materials:

pH paper, Kim-wipes, Wash bottles, 10mL beakers

Chemicals:

0.1 M HCL,

0.1 M acetic acid (CH3COOH),

150.1 M sodium acetate (CH3COONa),

0.1 M carbonic acid or club soda or seltzer,

0.1 M NaHCO3

0.1 M NH3 (aq) (aqueous ammonia),

0.1 M NaOH (Sodium hydroxide)

Precautions taken during the experiment;

1.Lab coats, safety glasses, and enclosed footwear must be worn at all times in the
laboratory.
2.Use only the standard colour chart supplied with the pH paper for assessing the pH.
3.Wash the test tube and other glass apparatus thoroughly with distilled water before use
4.Keep the pH strips away from chemical fumes.
Preparation of chemicals used calculation

The tables below shows the percentage purities, molecular weights, densities, volume,

concentrations and pH of chemical compounds involved in the experiment and the pH

of their resulting buffers.

TABLE 1.0

Solution Percentage Purity ％ Molecular weight Density g/L

g/mol
CH3COOH 99.8 60.05 1.18
NH3 35 34.50 1.18
HCL 37 36.46 1.18

Concentration × Molar mass ×Volume prepared

V R eq × % Strenght=
Density

Where VReq is the required volume of solution to prepare 0.1M

concentration in 0.25mL of distilled water.

0.1× 60.05× 0.25

VReq (CH3COOH) = =1.3m L
99.8 ×1.18

0.1× 34.50× 0.25

VReq (NH3)= = 2.1mL
35× 1.18
0.1× 36.46 ×0.25
VReq (HCl) = = 2.1mL
37 ×1.18

Table 1.1
Compound Molecular weight (g/mol)
NaOH 40
NaHCO3 84.01
CH3COONa 136.08
Calculations for the required mass of solid components of compounds to be dissolved to prepare a
standard solutions of the compounds in table 1.1 above is as follows,

Mass = concentration × molecular weight × volume

Mass(NaOH) = 0.1M × 40g/mol×0.25mL=1g

This implies that 1g of solid NaOH will be dissolved in 0.25L to prepare

0.1M NaOH

Mass(NaHCO3) = 0.1M × 84.01g/mol×0.25mL =2.1g

Similarly 2.1g of solid NaHCO3 will be dissolved in 0.25L to prepare

0.1M NaHCO3

Mass(CH3COONa) = 0.1M × 136.08g/mol×0.25mL=3.402g

Also, 3.402g of solid CH3COONa will be dissolved in 0.25L to prepare 0.1M CH3COONa.
Procedures:

1. 5mL of 0.1M HCl was poured into a 10mL beaker. A 2-cm long universal pH
paper was dipped into the solution.The paper was removed from the solution and the
colour compared with the colour chart .The obtained pH recorded on the report sheet.

2. The same procedure was repeated with 0.1M acetic acid, 0.1M sodium acetate,
0.1M carbonic acid (or club soda or seltzer), 0.1M sodium bicarbonate, 0.1M
ammonia, and 0.1M NaOH. For each solution, a different cleaned dry beaker was
used. The results recorded on the Report Sheet.

3. 5mL of 0.1M acetic acid was added to a dry and clean 10-mL beaker. A 2 cm long
universal pH paper was dipped into the solution and the result recorded.

4. The same procedures were repeated with 0.1M sodium acetate, 0.1M carbonic acid,
0.1M bicarbonate, and 0.1M ammonia. For each solution a dry and clean beaker was
used. The data obtained recorded on the Report Sheet.

5. Four buffer systems in four separate labels were prepared in dry and clean 50-mL
beakers, as follows:

a. 5 mL 0.1M acetic acid 5 mL 0.1M sodium acetate

b. 1 mL 0.1M acetic acid 10 mL 0.1M sodium acetate

c. 5 mL 0.1M carbonic acid 5 mL 0.1M sodium bicarbonate

d. 1 mL 0.1M carbonic acid 10 mL 0.1M sodium bicarbonate

The pH of each buffer system with the aid of universal pH paper was measured. The
data obtained recorded on the Report Sheet.

6. Each of the four buffers was divided into two halves (5mL each) and placed into
clean and dry 10-mL beakers.

For the first sample of buffer (a), 0.5 mL was added to, 0.1M HCl.The pH of the
mixture was measured with the aid of universal pH paper and data recorded on the
Report Sheet.
For the second sample of buffer (a) 0.5 mL was added to 0.1M NaOH. .The pH of the
mixture was measured with the aid of universal pH paper and data recorded on the
Report Sheet.
Results from experiment

Table 1.2
Solutions Concentration Volume Observed pH paper
(M) used colour reading
(ml)
Hydrochloric acid 0.1 5 Orange 3
(HCl)
Acetic acid 0.1 5 Curry 5
(CH3COOH)
Sodium 0.1 5 Light green 6
acetate (CH3COONa)
Carbonic acid (H2CO3) 0.1 5 Light green 6

Sodium 0.1 5 Deep Green 8

bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
Ammonia(NH3) 0.1 5 Blue 12

Sodium hydroxide 0.1 5 Violet 14

(NaOH)

Table 1.3

Buffer solutions Calculated Observed pH

pH colour reading

A 5ml of 0.1M acetic acid +5ml of 0.1M 4.7 curry 5

sodium acetate

B 5ml of 0.1M acetic acid +10ml of 0.1M 4.7 curry 5

sodium acetate

C 5ml of 0.1M carbonic acid +5ml of 6.4 green 7

0.1M sodium bicarbonate

D 5ml of 0.1M carbonic acid +10ml of 6.4 green 7

0.1M sodium bicarbonate
1st Buffer solution(5ml CH3COONa+ 5ml CH3COOH) pH=5
Split into two halves A1 and A2 5ml each
Table 1.4
Buffer System pH
A1+0.5ml of 0.1M HCL 5
A2 +O.5ml of 0.1M NaOH 5

2nd Buffer solution (10mlCH3COONa +1ml CH3COOH)pH=5

Split into two halves B1 and B2 5ml each
Table 1.5
Buffer System pH
B1+0.5ml of 0.1M HCL 5
B2 +O.5ml of 0.1M NaOH 5

3rd Buffer solution (5ml Carbonic acid +5ml Sodium bicarbonate) pH=8
Split into two halves C1 and C2 5ml each
Table 1.6
Buffer System pH
C1+0.5ml of 0.1M HCL 7
C2 +O.5ml of 0.1M NaOH 10

4th Buffer solution(1ml H2CO3 +10ml NaHCO3)pH=8

Split into two halves D1 and D2 5ml each
Table 1.7
Buffer System pH
D1+0.5ml of 0.1M HCL 8
D2 +O.5ml of 0.1M NaOH 7
Preparation of buffer solutions calculation

Acetic acid, CH 3 COOH , Ka = 1.8x10− 5

Carbonic aid, H 2 C O3, Ka = 4.4x10− 7

Buffer solution(Sodium Acetate and acetic acid)
Calculating for the pH of Acetate;
+¿+¿¿ -
HC2H3O2 ⇌ H C2H3O2

-
NaC2H3O2→Na+ +C2H3O2

+¿+¿¿ -
HC2H3O2 ⇌ H C2H3O2

I 1M 0 1M
C -x +x +x
F 1-x x 1+x
x(1+ x )
Ka=1.8×10-5 = x≈0
(1− x)

x(1+ 0)
=1.8×10-5 =
(1− 0)

X=1.8×10-5mol/L
pH = -log (1.8x10− 5) = 4.745
Buffer solution(Sodium bicarbonate and carbonic acid)
Calculating for the pH of carbonic acid
H 2 C O3 → HCO−3 + H +¿¿

pH = -log (4.4x10− 7) = 6.357.

Discussion

In this experiment the results obtained (Table1.2) for the testing of the pH of the

chemical compound (Acetate and carbonic acid) proof to be correct compared to the
pH calculations.