People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

Ministry of Higher
Education and Scientific Research

University of Algiers1 (Benkhedda Benyoucef ) Loboratory of General Chemistry

Faculty of Sciences 1 st Year of the Common Core
Department of Material Sciences Year 2023-2024

TP N°2: Preparation of Aqueous Solutions

By Dissolution and Dilution

Calculating quantities of reagents and products, as well as preparing solutions, are integral parts of the daily tasks
performed by technical personnel in quantitative chemistry. Quantitative chemistry, which involves determining
the proportions of reagents and products, relies on straightforward calculations utilizing chemical principles.

Theoretical part
1. Definitions of a Solution
A solution is composed of one or more substance (the solute) dissolved in another substance (the solvent)
forming a homogenous mixture.

Solution = Solute + Solvent

Two types of solution can be obtained:
 Homogeneous solution: In this type of solution, there is only one phase, and the components are miscible,
meaning they mix evenly.
 Heterogeneous solution: This type of solution is composed of two or more phases, and the components are
non-miscible, meaning they do not mix evenly.
 Solute: The solute is any substance in a pure state placed in the solvent in a quantity smaller than that of the
solvent. A solution can contain more than one solute. This solute can be solid, liquid, or even gaseous when
in a pure state.
 Solvent: The solvent is any substance that is present in a larger quantity and is in the same physical state
(liquid, solid, or gas) as the solution. A liquid solution is called aqueous when the solvent is water.
1.1. Density of a solution (ρ): We define density (ρ) as the ratio of the mass of an object to the volume it
occupies, usually (g/mL) or (gm/cm3). The equation is given by:
𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝒎
ρ= ; ρ= (g/cm3 or g/ml)
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝑽

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 2. Concentration of a solution
The concentration of a solution refers to the quantity of solute dissolved in a particular quantity of solvent or
solution. There are several ways of expressing concentration:

2.1.Molar Concentration (Molarity CM)

Molarity indicates the number of moles of solute dissolved in a litre of a solution; has the symbol C M or M,
and the unit, moles per litre (mol/L).
𝐧 𝐦 𝐦
CM= (mol/L) where n = Therefore : CM= 𝐌𝐰 .𝐕 (mol/L)
𝐕𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐰

Mw :Molecular weight (molar mass)

2.2.Normal Concentration (CN Normality)

Represents the number of equivalents contained in one liter solution. The unit of normality is eq/L
𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝐧𝐞𝐪
N = CN = = (eq/L)
𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎 𝐕𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

 Number of equivalent (neq) is the quantity of substance comprising one mole of the particles
𝐦
considered (H+,OH-,é…etc) neq =
𝐞𝐪.𝐰𝐭

Equivalent weight (eq.wt) : Molecular weight is divided by the number of reacting units (H+ for acid-
base and electron for oxidation-reduction reaction)
𝑴𝑾 𝐦×𝒁
Eq.wt = So: CN =
𝐌𝐖×𝐕
(eq/L)
𝒁

 For acids, z is the number of reacting H+

Example
HCl → Cl-+ H+ z=1
H2SO4 → SO42-+ 2H+ z=2
 For bases, z is the number of reacting 𝑂𝐻 −
Example
NaOH → Na+ + OH- z=1
Ba(OH)2 → Ba2++ 2OH- z=2

 For salts, z is the Number of cation× valency or Number of anion× valency

Example
Al2 (SO4)3 → 2Al +3 + 3SO4-2 z = 2×3 = 6
CaCl2 → Ca2++2 Cl- z =1×2 = 2
 For oxidation-reduction reaction, z is the number of electrons
Example
MnO4- + 5 é + 8H + Mn+2 + 4H2O→ z=5
 Normality (CN) and molar concentration (CM) are linked by the following relationship:
CN = z ×CM

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 2.3.Mass Concentration (Weight concentrationT)
Mass concentration represents the mass in grams of the solute per unit volume of solution, typically expressed
in g/L. 𝒎
T = (g/L) 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 (g/L)
𝑽𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

 Mass concentration (T) and molar concentration (CM) are linked by the following relationship
T= CM. Mw

2.4. Molale Concentration (Molality Cm)

denotes the number of moles of a given substance dissolved in one kilogram (1 Kg) of solvent (not solution).
We can calculate it when divide the number of moles (n) of solute by the mass (mS) of the solvent.:
𝐧𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞
Cm = (𝐦𝐨𝐥/𝐊𝐠)
𝐦𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

2.5.Percent Concentration (٪C)

Percent concentration (٪C) is expressed as the number of grams of solute contained in 100g of solution.
𝐦𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞
٪C = 𝐦 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

2.6.Mole fraction (xi)

denotes the number of moles of solute as a proportion of the total number of moles in a solution. It has
the symbol (xi) and could be calculated by the following formula:
𝒏𝒊
xi =
3. Solution Dilution ∑𝐧𝐢

Dilution is the process whereby a solution is made less concentrated (or more dilute) by the addition of
solvent. In laboratories, solutions are often stored in their concentrated forms, called stock solutions. Solutions
of lower concentrations are prepared from stock through dilution.

C1.V1 = C2.V2

Where M and V are concentration and volume, respectively, and the subscripts “1” and “2” refer to the
solution before and after the dilution, respectively. Now, since the product of molarity and volume equals
moles, the number of moles before and after dilution stays the same. Thus, dilution does not change the
amount of solute in the solution. n1 = n2

Stock solution (S1) Dilluted Solution (S2)

(n1=C1V1) Dilution (n2=C2V2)

Experimental part

1. Purpose of practical work: the aim of this manipulation is to know how to prepare a solution of given
concentration by dissolving a solid and diluting a stock solution.

2. Materials and Reagents Used

Materials Reagents
- Electronic balance - Distilled water
- Volumetric flask of 100 ml - Sodium chloride NaCl (M = 58.5 g/mol; purity p = 95%)
- Beaker, Pipette - Solution of commercial hydrochloric acid HCl (35% d= 1.18; M=36.5
-Watch glass ; Spatula g/mol)
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 3. Preparation of a Solution by Dissolving a Solid Compound

From sodium chloride (purity p = 95%), prepare with precision, a volume V = 100 mL of an aqueous solution of
NaCl with a molar concentration CM = 0.5 mol/L.
Preparing a solution by dissolving a solid compound requires accurately calculating the mass of pure solute.
 Calculation
Determine the necessary mass of NaCl to be weighed for the preparation of a solution with a concentration of
0.5 mol/L in a volumetric flask of 100 mL (Molar mass of NaCl = 58.5 g/mol). Take into consideration the
purity of the salt being used.
 Operating Mode
1- Place an empty watch glass on the balance pan. Press the tare
or zero button and wait for the display to show: 0.0 g. 1 2
2- Using a spatula, take a small amount of powdered solid and
slowly transfer its contents into the watch glass until the
desired mass is achieved.

3- Pour the content of the watch glass into a volumetric flask of

100 mL
4- Rinse the watch glass and the funnel using a wash bottle filled
with distilled water, pouring all the rinsing water into the 3 4
volumetric flask.

5- Add distilled water to fill approximately ¾ of the flask's

volume. 5 6
6- Cover the flaskl with a stopper and mix well by turning it
several times.

7 8

7- Add more distilled water until it reaches the calibration

mark.

8- Mix the solution thoroughly again.

4. Preparation of a Solution by Dilution of a Stock Solution

Prepare 100 mL of a 0.2 mol/L HCl solution from a commercial HCl solution with the following information:
density (d) = 1.18; concentration (35%); molar mass (M) = 36.5 g/mol.

The preparation of a solution by dilution requires the precise calculation of the volume (V1) to be drawn from
the stock solution.
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  Calculation
Calculate the volume of the stock solution (commercial HCl solution) to be taken to prepare 100 mL of a
dilluted solution with a concentration CM= 0.2 mol/L

 Operating Mode

1- Pour an adequate amount of the stock solution into a 1 2

clean and dry beaker (never draw liquid directly from
the bottle to avoid contaminating the entire solution).

2- Add a small amount of distilled water into the

volumetric flask (always pour the acid into the water,
not the other way around, to prevent dangerous
splashes).

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3- Measure the necessary volume of the stock solution
using a pipette equipped with a pipette filler. 3
4- Carefully pour the measured volume of the stock
solution into the appropriate volumetric flask.

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5- Fill the volumetric flask approximately ¾ full with
distilled water

6- Seal the flask and shake it to mix the contents. 5

7- Finish filling the volumetric flask with distilled water

using a wash bottle until it reaches the calibration
mark.
8- Seal the flask and shake it again to ensure thorough
mixing.

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