Lab # 8

Title: Titration Curves – Weak Acid-Strong Alkali

Aim: To construct a titration curve for a titration between a weak acid (ethanoic acid) and a
strong alkali (NaOH).
Apparatus/Materials: N/A
Reagents: N/A

Diagram:

CH3COOH (aq)

Method:
1. The pH value using the following combinations of CH3COOH and NaOH was calculated.
Results:

Volume of CH3COOH Volume of NaOH pH

25 0 2.88
25 1 3.359788758
25 2 3.67930216
25 3 3.874698574
25 5 4.137940009
25 10 4.563908741
25 15 4.916091259
25 20 5.342059991
25 24 6.120211242
25 24.5 6.43019608
25 24.9 7.136199347
25 24.95 7.438100546
25 24.99 8.137766256
25 25 9.22
25 25.01 9.300943145
25 25.05 9.999565923
25 25.1 10.30016227
25 25.5 10.99567863
25 26 11.29242982
25 30 11.95860731
25 35 12.22184875
25 40 12.3631779
25 45 12.45593196
25 50 12.52287875

Calculations:
pH of pure acid
Ka for CH3COOH = 1.74 × 10-5 moldm-3
Hence if [CH3COOH] = 0.1, then:
Ka = ¿ ¿

x2
1.74 × 10-5 moldm-3 =
0.1
x2 = 1.74 × 10-6 moldm-3

x ¿ √ ( 1.74 ×10−6 molⅆ m−3 )

x = 1.32 × 10-3
Hence pH = -log(1.32 × 10-3)
pH = 2.88

pH when acid is in excess

On adding 1cm3 of NaOH:
We now have a buffer and hence use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:
[salt ]
pH = pka - log
[acid ]
pKa = -log ( 1.74 × 10-5)
= 4.76
1
[salt] = moles of NaOH added = ( × 0.1)
1000
= 1 × 10-4 moldm-3
[acid] = moles of acid present – moles of base added
25
= × 0.1 - 1× 10-4
1000
= 2.4 × 10-3 moldm-3
−4 −3
[salt ] 1× 10 moldm
Hence, =
[acid ] 2.4 ×10−3 moldm−3

= 1/24
So, pH = 4.76 + log(1/24)
= 3.38

pH at equivalence point
On adding 25cm3 of NaOH the acid and alkali have reacted completely with each other.
However, the ethanoate ion can act as a base.
CH3COO- + H2O ------ CH3COOH + OH-
pKb = 14 - pKa
 = 14 – 4.76
= 9.24
So, Kb = 10-9.26
= 5.50 × 10-10
The concentration of the solution is half of the original solution since the volume has been
doubled.

Kb =[ C H 3 COOH ] ¿ ¿ = 5.50 × 10-10

Hence concentration OH- = √ (5.50 ×10−10¿ × 0.5)¿

= 1.66 × 10-5 moldm-3

pOH = -log(1.66 × 10-5)
= 4.78
pH = 14 – 4.78
= 9.22

pH when alkali is in excess

30
Moles of NaOH added = × 0.1
1000

25
Moles of CH3COOH initially present = × 0.1
1000

30 25
Moles of NaOH = × 0.1 - × 0.1
1000 1000

1
=
2000
 30+25 55
Volume of mixture = =
1000 1000

1 1000
Hence concentration of OH- ions = ×
2000 55

= 9.09 × 10-3 moldm-3

pOH = -log(9.09 × 10-3 moldm-3)

= 2.04

Hence, pH = 14 – 2.04

= 11.96

Two graphs of pH vs volume were plotted, one by hand and one by computer.
Discussion: The titration of a weak acid with a strong base involves the direct transfer of protons

from the weak acid to the hydoxide ion. The reaction of the weak acid, acetic acid, with a strong

base, NaOH, can be seen below. In the reaction the acid and base react in a one to one ratio.

C2H4O2(aq)+OH−(aq)→C2H3O−2(aq)+H2O(l)(1)

In this reaction a buret is used to administer one solution to another. The solution administered

from the buret is called the titrant. The solution that the titrant is added to is called the analyte. In

a titration of a Weak Acid with a Strong Base the titrant is a strong base and the analyte is a

weak acid. In order to fully understand this type of titration the reaction, titration curve, and type

of titration problems will be introduced.

Sources of error:

1. Random Error

2. User Error

Precautions:

1. Calculate results properly

2.

Limitations:

1. Drawing a graph may not make calculations accurate

Conclusion:
A titration curve for a weak acid and a strong alkali was constructed.