Chemistry: Redox Reactions

Inquiry Question
Do all acids and bases behave the same when being
neutralized? Comparing acid-base titration curves – Video
Lab Analysis

Name: ___________________________ Date: ____________

Acids and bases react and neutralize each other. We often use titrations to quantitatively determine acid or base
strengths…but are they all similar? Could we not just look at pH=7 and call things neutral? The purpose of this lab
analysis is to compare 3 different acid-base titrations and the graphs they make. We will look at:

• Part I is a Strong Acid-Strong Base Titration

• Part II is a Weak Acid-Strong Base Titration
• Part III is a Weak Base-Strong Acid Titration.

Begin by watching the video at this link: Titration Curves

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Data and Observations:

Fill in Table 1 with the correct values using the data provided at the end of the video.

Table 1: Acid-Base Titration pH values

Part 1 Part II Part III

25.00mL of 0.100M HCl 25.00mL of 0.100M CH3COOH 25.00mL of 0.100M NH3
0.100 M NaOH in burette 0.100 M NaOH in burette 0.100 M HCl in burette

Volume of pH Volume of pH Volume of pH

NaOH (mL) NaOH (mL) HCl (mL)
0.00 0.00 0.00
5.00 5.00 5.00
10.00 10.00 10.00
15.00 15.00 15.00
20.00 20.00 20.00
22.00 22.00 22.00
24.00 24.00 24.00
24.50 24.50 24.50
24.80 24.80 24.80
24.90 24.90 24.90
24.95 24.95 24.95
24.99 24.99 24.99
25.00 25.00 25.00
25.01 25.01 25.01
25.05 25.05 25.05
25.10 25.10 25.10
25.20 25.20 25.20
25.50 25.50 25.50
26.00 26.00 26.00
28.00 28.00 28.00
30.00 30.00 30.00
40.00 40.00 40.00
50.00 50.00 50.00

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Part I and II Graphs:

Create a graph of pH vs. Volume of NaOH added for Part I and Part II. This is best done in a program
such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets but can also be done on graph paper and scanned in to be
submitted.

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Part III Graph:

Create a graph of pH vs. Volume of HCl added for Part III. This is best done in a program such as
Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets but can also be done on graph paper and scanned in to be submitted.

Analysis:
1. The equivalence point of an acid-base titration graph occurs at the point the graph comes closest to
being vertical. In general, this will be near the middle of the graph. Determine the equivalence point
for each graph.

Graph Strong Acid-Strong Base Weak Acid-Weak Base Weak Base-Strong Acid

Equivalence
Point

2. What is the basic shape of each graph for the first 20 mL added?

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3. What letter does the middle portion of the first two graphs resemble?

4. What is the basic shape of each graph for the last 20 mL added?

5. For the first 2 graphs, why does the pH only rise slightly as the first 20 mL is added? Hint: pH is
directly linked to the amount of H+ present in solution.

6. For the first 2 graphs, why does the pH suddenly spike upwards around the 22 mL mark?

7. What are the two significant differences between the graphs?

8. Use your data booklet and choose an indicator that would be best for each titration. The equivalence
point is key!

Graph Strong Acid-Strong Base Weak Acid-Weak Base Weak Base-Strong Acid

Indicator

9. Calculate the concentration of H+ at the equivalence point for each graph.

[H + ] = 10−pH

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10. It is possible to predict the equivalence point for a given titration using the Ka values from your
data booklet. The reaction that is taking place in Part II is acetic acid plus sodium hydroxide to form
water and sodium acetate. Write an equation for this reaction below.

At the equivalence point, all of the reactants have been used up and water is neutral so we only have
the sodium acetate salt. Sodium ion is a spectator so the only thing that has an effect on the pH is the
acetate ion. From your data booklet, find the Ka value that has the acetate ion on the right side and
record it below.

As we are starting with the acetate ion rather than the acid we need to transform this Ka into a Kb. Show
this calculation below using the formula given.

Kw
Kb =
Ka

The formula for Kb for acetate ion would be:

[CH3 COOH][OH− ]
Kb =
[CH3 COO− ]
The concentrations for CH3COOH and OH- must be equal so the numerator for the equation becomes
[OH-]2. The concentration of acetate ion will match the original concentration of acetic acid so it will
be 0.100 M. Plug in these values and the value of Kb you calculated above into this equation and solve
for [OH-].

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Finally, convert the [OH-] into pOH and then pH using the formulas below to find the predicted
equivalence point.

pOH = -log[OH-]

pH = 14 - pOH

11. Using a similar procedure to question 10 (but not identical) calculate the theoretical equivalence
point for the Part III titration. The original reaction is ammonia plus hydrochloric acid to produce
ammonium chloride. Chloride is the spectator ion and the Ka for ammonium will be your starting point.
Hint: You do NOT need to use Kb!

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