LABORATORY MANUAL PHD124

SEMESTER MARCH-AUGUST 2023

EXPERIMENT 4 :
INTRODUCTION TO pH AND BUFFER SOLUTIONS

NAME NUR ALYA BATRISYIA

BINTI ZUKMI
STUDENT ID 2022869192
PROGRAM CODE PH110
GROUP P2PH1102C1
DATE OF EXPERIMENT 6th June 2023
LECTURER’S NAME SITI SHAHIRAH BT MAT
DAUD & CHM. NOR AMIN
HASSAN
INTRODUCTION
A buffer solution is a solution that resists a change in its pH upon the
addition of small quantities of either an acid or a base. An example of
such a solution is one containing a weak acid and the salt of the weak
acid, or a solution of a weak base and the salt of the weak base. A
solution containing NH4Cl with NH3 will be a buffer solution. We will look
at a buffer consisting of a weak acid, CH3COOH (aq), and its conjugate
base, CH3COO-(aq). The addition of a small amount of a strong acid will
increase the hydronium ion present in the solution. This amount of
hydronium ion will react with an equal amount of the anion of the weak
acid to form an un-ionized weak acid.
𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂− (𝑎𝑞) + 𝐻3 𝑂+ (𝑎𝑞) ⇌ 𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻(𝑎𝑞) + 𝐻20(𝑙)
This removes the added hydronium ion and changes the equilibrium
amounts of the weak acid and its anion.
Meanwhile, the addition of a small amount of strong base will increase
the hydroxide ion present in the solution.
𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 (𝑎𝑞) + 𝑂𝐻− (𝑎𝑞) ⇌ 𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂− (𝑎𝑞) + 𝐻2𝑂(𝑙)
This amount of hydroxide ion will react with an equal amount of the weak
acid to form an increase in the amount of the anion of the weak acid
(which is a weaker base than the hydroxide). This removes the added
hydroxide ion and changes the equilibrium amounts of weak acid and its
anion. In this way the increased amounts of hydrogen or hydroxide ion
are replaced by the weaker acid molecule or weaker base ion. It is also
used to calibrate the pH measurement system (electrode and meter).
In short, Buffer has high resistant to the changes of pH in its solution
when it’s added strong acid or strong base which can make the pH of
the solution rise or lower drastically by neutralizing small amounts of
added acid or base, thus maintaining the pH of the solution to make
them remain stable.
Buffer has a pH close to it’s pKa of the weak acid. When desired pH of
a buffer solution is near the pKa of the conjugate acid being used,
the equation of Henderson-Hasselbalch can be applied as a simple
approximation of the solution pH.
pH meter is used to determine the pH of a solution to determine whether
it’s acidic or basic by measuring the hydrogen ion activity of the solution.
A reference electrode, which remains constant regardless of pH, plus a
pH-responsive electrode make up a pH metre. Although a mercury-
mercurous chloride (calomel) electrode is occasionally employed, the
pH-responsive electrode is typically made of glass, and the reference
electrode is typically a silver chloride electrode.
Below is the classifications of pH classes.

Objectives
(1) To understand the concept of pH.
(2) To prepare a series of buffer solutions by adding different
compositions of NaH2PO4.2H2O and Na2HPO4.2H2O.
(3) To determine the pH of a buffer solution after the addition of a strong
acid or base.
Chemicals
Solution A: 0.1 M Sodium dihydrogen phosphate, NaH2PO4.2H2O.
Solution B: 0.1 M Sodium hydrogen phosphate, Na2HPO4.2H2O.
0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH, 0.1 M CH3COOH and 0.1 M CH3COONa.

Apparatus
pH meter, pH universal paper, 50 mL burette, 10 mL pipette, pipette
pump, 50 mL beaker,100 mL beaker, Pasteur pipette with bulb and glass
rod.
Procedure
(A) Introduction to pH

The pH value of these samples below were determined by using the

pH universal paper and they were indicated whether they are acidic
or basic in nature
SAMPLE pH VALUE ACIDIC/BASIC
NATURE
Milk 6 Acid
Lime Juice 2 Acid
Soft/Carbonate drink 3 Acid
Bleach 14 Basic
Soap/Detergent 7 Neutral
Perfumed household 5 Acid
cleaner

(B) Introduction to buffer solutions

I. Preparation of phosphate buffer

a) A burette was rinsed with deionized water and followed
by Solution A. The burette was then filled with Solution A.
b) Another burette was rinsed with deionized water and
followed by Solution B. The burette was then filled with
Solution B
c) Mixtures of Solution A and B were prepared in Table 1 by
transferring both solutions from the burettes into a
clean,dry 50mL beakers. Each beaker were labelled with
its appropriate beaker number.
d) The pH value of these mixtures were determined by using
pH meter and the pH values were recorded in Table 1.
e) 5ml of 0.1M NaOH was added into each beaker and the
pH value were recorded.
 Beaker no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Volume A 20 18 16 8 4 2 0
(ml)
Volume B 0 2 4 12 16 18 20
(ml)
pH value 4.61 5.83 6.17 8.43 7.29 7.83 8.97
pH value after 6.39 6.58 6.64 11.63 9.97 10.34 10.83
adding NaOH
Table 1: The pH values of phosphate buffer

II. pH determination of deionised water and an acetate buffer.

The following solutions were prepared in the 100ml beakers,
and the pH of these solutions were measured by using pH
meter. The pH values were then recorded in Table 2.
No. Solutions pH value
i. 50ml deionised water 5.06
50ml deionised water+ 1ml 0.1M 3.08
HCl
50ml deionised water+ 5ml 0.1M 1.78
HCl
ii. 50ml deionised water 5.43
50ml deionised water+ 1ml 0.1M 10.85
NaOH
50ml deionised water+ 5ml 0.1M 11.65
NaOH
iii. 25ml 0.1M CH3COOH + 25 ml 4.50
0.1M CH3COONa
25ml 0.1M CH3COOH + 25 ml 4.46
0.1M CH3COONa + 1ml 0.1 HCl
25ml 0.1M CH3COOH + 25 ml 4.28
0.1M CH3COONa + 5ml 0.1 HCl
iv 25ml 0.1M CH3COOH + 25 ml 4.41
0.1M CH3COONa
25ml 0.1M CH3COOH + 25 ml 4.42
0.1M CH3COONa + 1ml 0.1 NaOH
25ml 0.1M CH3COOH + 25 ml 4.55
0.1M CH3COONa + 5ml 0.1 NaOH
Table 2: The pH values of deionised water and an acetate buffer
Precaution step:
The bulb of the pH meter was rinsed with deionised water after each
time being used
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

DISCUSSION 1:

Based on beaker 3:
The experimental value of pH before the addition of NaOH : 6.17
The theoretical value of pH before the addition of NaOH:

Mole of Solution A = 0.1 x 0.016L

= 1.6 𝑥 10−3 mol
Mole of Solution B = 0.1 x 0.004L
= 4 𝑥 10−4 𝑚𝑜𝑙

1.6 𝑥 10−3
Molarity of Solution A =
0.02
= 0.08M

4 𝑥 10−4
Molarity of Solution B =
0.02
=0.02M

pKa = 6.8

[ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
pH = pKa + log
[𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]
[ 0.02]
= 6.8 + log
[0.08]
= 6.2

The experimental value of pH after the addition of NaOH : 6.64

The theoretical value of pH after the addition of NaOH:

Mole of NaOH : 0.1𝑀 𝑥 0.005𝐿

=5 𝑥 10−4 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒

Total amount of mole after addition of NaOH

For Solution A : 1.6 𝑥 10−3 mole - 5 𝑥 10−4 mole

= 1.1 𝑥 10−3 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
For Solution B = 4 𝑥 10−4 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 + 5 𝑥 10−4 mole
= 9 𝑥 10−4 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒

1.1 𝑥 10−3
New molarity of Solution A =
0.025
= 0.044M

9 𝑥 10−4
New molarity of Solution B =
0.025
=0.036M

Thereotical pH would be :
[ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
pH = pKa + log
[𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]
[ 0.036]
= 6.8 + log
[0.044]
= 6.71

We can simplify the experimental and thereotical pH based on the table

below :
BEFORE ADDING AFTER ADDING
NAOH NAOH
EXPERIMENTAL 6.17 6.64
VALUE
THEREOTICAL 6.2 6.71
VALUE

Then we can calculate the %error:

6.17−6.2
%Error before adding NaOH = 𝑥 100%
6.2

= 0.48%
6.64−6.71
%Error after adding NaOH = 𝑥 100%
6.71

= 1.04%
These errors could happen due to:

1. I didn’t wait for the pH meter to reach ‘READY’ completely and just
jotted down the pH right after I see the number after I placed the
bulb in the solution.
2. I measured the volume for solution A and B wrong

So, these errors could be prevented with :

1. I should wait until the pH meter is ready
2. I should measure the volume of the solutions correctly with the
burette by observing the meniscus the correct way.

DISCUSSION 2:

COMPARISON OF pH in solutions (i) and solutions (iii)

pH in solutions (i) decrease drastically and pH in solutions (iii) decreases

in low amount. This is because in (i), HCl is added more into the
deionized from 1 ml to 5 ml in amount. Adding an acid to water will raise
concentrations of the distinctive cation of water. Based on the chemical
equation below:

𝐻𝐶𝑙 (𝑎𝑞) + 𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙) ⇌ 𝐻3 𝑂+ + 𝑋 −

This means that addition of acid will donate hydrogen ion to water and
produce hydronium ion. The more acid is added, more 𝐻3 𝑂+ is
produced, thus making the pH decreases and more acidic.

For solutions in (iii)

Buffer system of CH3COOOH and CH3COONa is added with HCl,

strong acid. CH3COONa could be formed from equation below:

𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 (𝑎𝑞) + 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 (𝑎𝑞) ⇌ 𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝑁𝑎 + 𝐻2 𝑂

CH3COOH is an acid that donated hydrogen ion and thus CH3COONa

is it’s conjugate base.

𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝑁𝑎 ⇌ 𝑁𝑎+ + 𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂−

The H+ in HCl, will react with the anion in the CH3COONa, which is
CH3COO-.

𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂− + 𝐻+ ⇌ 𝐶𝐻𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻

This reaction will make the conjugate neutralise the H+ in the

HCl,basically destroying it as unionized acetic acid and thus making the
solution has no drastic decrease of pH and only slight decrease because
CH3COOH, weak acid that will low effect on pH is produced back. And
the process will repeat until no more HCl exists.

COMPARISON OF pH in solutions (ii) and (iv)

The pH solutions in (ii) increases drastically while pH solutions in (iv)

increase a little. This means that solution (ii) has no buffer because there
was no resistant in pH change. Solution (iv) has buffer solution contains
because it has resistance to pH changes even when being added with
excess acid or base.

For the solutions in (ii), the solutions increase because of the addition of
NaOH where in this case the addition of NaOH will raise the
concentration of distinctive anion of the water. Based on the chemical
equation below:

𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 ( 𝑎𝑞) + 𝐻2 𝑂 (𝑙) ⇌ 𝑁𝑎+ (𝑎𝑞) + 𝑂𝐻− (𝑎𝑞)

Addition of NaOH in water will produce Na+ and OH-, in which the OH-
makes the solution basic. The more NaOH is poured in the water, more
OH- is produced and the solution will more basic.

For solutions in (iv)

Strong base, NaOH is added to buffer system of CH3COOH and

CH3COONa.

𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 (𝑎𝑞) + 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 (𝑎𝑞) ⇌ 𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝑁𝑎 + 𝐻2 𝑂

The NaOH is the base that received hydrogen ion and thus H2O is it
conjugate acid.In The case for basic buffer, The OH- in NaOH will react
with the hydrogen ion, H+ in CH3COOH.
 𝑂𝐻− + 𝐻+ ⇌ 𝐻2 𝑂

The hydrogen ion will removed the basic feature in OH- in water
form,H2O and thus no increase in pH because there’s no hydroxyl ion.
Process will repeat until no more NaOH is added.

QUESTION

1.From your results in Part I, deduce the best buffer solution

among the solutions listed in Table 1. Explain your choice.

ANSWER: Best buffer is in beaker 3. This is because there’s no drastic

increase of pH of the solution. Thus, this solution has the strongest
buffer action.

2. Calculate the pH of the buffer system made up of 0.25 M

C6H5COOH and 0.35 M C6H5COONa.

[ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
ANSWER : pH = pKa + log
[𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]
[ 0.35]
= 4.20 + log
[0.25]
= 4.35
3. What is the pH after the addition of 20 mL of 0.1 M HCl to 500 mL
of the above buffer solution?

ANSWER :

Addition of HCl will react with water:

𝐻𝐶𝑙 + 𝐻2 𝑂 ↔ 𝐻3 𝑂+ + 𝐶𝑙 −

The hydronium ion will react with the conjugate base to produce more
acid :

𝐶6 𝐻5 𝐶𝑂𝑂− + 𝐻3 𝑂+ ↔ 𝐶6 𝐻5 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 + 𝑂𝐻−

Thus, more acid is produced and less conjugate base will be produced.

FOR C6H5COOH:
Mole for 𝐶6 𝐻5 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 = 0.25 x 0.5
= 0.125mole
New mole for 𝐶6 𝐻5 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 = 0.125 + ( 0.1 x 0.02)
= 0.127 mole
Molarity = 0.127/ 0.5
= 0.254M

FOR C6H5COO-:
Mole for 𝐶6 𝐻5 𝐶𝑂𝑂− = 0.35 x 0.5
= 0.175 mole
New mole for 𝐶6 𝐻5 𝐶𝑂𝑂− = 0.175 - ( 0.1 x 0.02)
= 0.173 mole
Molarity = 0.173/ 0.5
= 0.346M

CALCULATION FOR THE NEW PH:

[ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
pH = pKa + log
[𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]
[ 0.346]
= 4.20 + log
[0.254]
= 4.33
4. Describe how you would prepare a 1 L solution of 0.1 M sodium
acetate (CH3COONa)/0.1 M acetic acid (CH3COOH) buffer system
with a pH of about

ANSWER :
To know the amount of volume needed:

[ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
pH = pKa + log
[𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]

[ 𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂−]
5= 4.7 + log
[𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻]
[ 𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂−]
0.3 = log
[𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻]
[ 𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂−]
= 2M
[𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻]

To know the volume needed for both CH3COONa and CH3COOH:

0.1 𝑚𝑜𝑙
2=
𝑉
= 500 mL for both
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I was able to understand the concept of pH where it is a

measurement of how basic or acidic aqueous or other liquid solutions
are. Meaning is that acidic solution has more hydrogen ions while basic
solution has more hydroxyl ions. We were also able to prepare a series
of buffer from addition of strong acid or strong basic into the buffer
solution of weak acid with it conjugate base or weak basic with it’s
conjugate acid. The buffer system will resist the pH change and make
the solution maintains it’s pH. Although they were quite minor errors, but
I have learned what I should avoid to prevent some errors of the pH in
the future. The percentage error I gained were 0.48% and 1.04%
Lastly, I also managed to determine the pH of a buffer solution in which
the conjugate base/acid will react with the strong acid/base to reverse
back the conjugate to it’s original acid/base,destroying the H+ or OH-
that was added to and maintain the pH.
REFERENCES

1. Libretexts. (2023). Introduction to Buffers. Chemistry LibreTexts.

Retrieved from

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical

_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_a

nd_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Acids_and_Bases/Buffers/Introduction

_to_Buffers

2. Kho, C. H. (2005). Physical Chemistry for STPM.

3. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2009, February 5). PH

meter | Definition, Principle, & Facts. Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/technology/pH-meter

4. Engineering, O. (2023). pH Meter. https://www.omega.com/en-us/.

Retrieved from https://www.omega.com/en-us/resources/ph-meter

5. Bailey, G. H. (2007). Chemistry for Matriculation. Bailey Press.