PW N°01 : Preparing solutions and calcul of pH

I. Aim of the PW
- Reminder of solution preparation:

* From a liquid.
* From a solid.
- How to calculate pH
II. Theoretical background
 Solution : In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture resulting from the
dissolution of one or more solutes (dissolved chemical species) in a solvent. The
solute molecules (or ions) are then solvated and dispersed in the solvent.

 Solute : Any substance that can be dissolved in the solvent.

 Solvant : Constituent present in greater quantity and in the same physical state (phase)
as the solution.

Note : an aqueous solution is one whose solvent is water.

 Concentration of a solution : this can be defined as

 Molarity (M) (molar concentration) : the number of moles of solute per liter of
solution. (mol. L-1) :
M = C.n = n/V
 Normality (N) : the number of gram equivalents of solute per liter of solution.
The gram equivalent is the quantity of solute comprising one mole of the particles under
consideration (H+, OH, e ...etc.).
Normality = number of gram equivalents x Molarity.

N=z.M
 For acids Z is the number of H+ released during the reaction

Example : HCl = Cl- + H+ (Z= 1)

H2SO4 = SO42- + 2H+ (Z= 2)
 For bases Z is the number of OH- released in the reaction

 Example : NaOH = Na+ + HO- (Z= 1) ;

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  Ba(OH)2 = Ba2++ 2HO- (Z= 2)

Mass concentration : It is the weight concentration expressed in units of mass per liter of
solution, generally expressed in g. L-1.

Cm = m/V ; M.M (molar mass) = Cm/Cn.

 Dilution : consists of preparing, from a stock solution, a daughter solution with a

lower concentration.

Note : Adding a solvent (for example, water) to a solution does not change the amount of
solute, but it changes the concentration of the solution.

n1 = n2

So : N1V1 = N2V2 or C1V1 = C2V2

 pH of an aqueous solution : The pH, in scientific terms, is a measure of the acidity or

basicity of a solution. It is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the
concentration of hydrogen ions (H+)

pH = -log [H+]

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Values below 7
indicate acidity, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity or basicity.

III. Different methods of preparing a solution

III.1. By dissolving
This is the dissolution of a solid product in distilled water to form a homogeneous solution.
III.2. By dilution

a/ From a commercial solution

A chemical product marketed in a liquid state is characterized by two main indications :
- The purity (%).
- The density
Example : Sulfuric acid (d= 1,83, b=99%).

b / From a titrated solution

This is the transition from a previously prepared concentrated solution (mother solution) to a
more dilute solution (daughter solution).

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 IV. Experimental section
IV.1. Preparation of a NaCl solution

We want to prepare a NaCl solution with a concentration of 0.1 M.

Procedure:

- Weigh out the required mass of NaCl.

-Transfer the weighed quantity to a 50 ml volumetric flask.

-Make up to the mark with distilled water.

-Shake the flask until the product is completely dissolved.

-Make up to the mark with distilled water.

IV.2. Preparation of an H2SO4 solution from a previously diluted solution:

We want to prepare a 0,5% sulfuric acid solution from a diluted one with a concentration of
2M.

Procedure :

- Put a volume of water in a 100 ml flask.

- Put the calculated volume V in the 100 ml flask using a graduated pipet.

- Complete the volume with distilled water to the fill line.

- Close the flask with a stopper and shake the solution to homogenize it.