KUT 101

GENERAL CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL I

SEMESTER II 2023/2024

EXPERIMENT 9: GRAVIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF

PHOSPHORUS IN PLANT FOOD

NO NAMA NO MATRIX

1. NUR HANNAN BINTI SHARIZAL 22302040

2. NUR SALSABILA BINTI SABRI 22301680

GROUP : THURSDAY (10:00 to 13:00 pm)

LECTURER'S NAME :MADAM SYAZA ATIKAH NIZAR
INTRODUCTION:

Gravimetric method is the analytical chemistry method in which the objective is to determine the
amount of constituents that is present in the sample of material based on the mass material. (3)
Gravimetric is known as the oldest quantitative technique and the most widely used until these days.

In general, gravimetric techniques involve the preparation of unknown material by weight the initial
mass. The unknown material that undergoes separation to get the desired constituent and the isolated
constituent is weight. The amount of the particular constituent in the sample is observed and can be
computed by using a few formulas.(1) There is another method called volumetric method which
involves the determination of the reagent’s volume. This method is less efficient than the gravimetric
method because it produces less accurate results even though it is less time-consuming. Gravimetric
may be more time-consuming and difficult but it produces more accurate results.

In this experiment, we will illustrate the gravimetric method as a tool in determination of phosphorus
in plant food. Phosphorus will be determined by precipitation of the insoluble salt magnesium
ammonium phosphate hexahydrate according to the following equation.

5H2O(l) + HPO2-4 (aq) + NH+(aq) + Mg2+(aq) + OH-(aq) MgNH4PO4.6H2O

The labels on plant food usually have a set of numbers such as 15-30-15. These numbers mean that
the plant food typically is guaranteed to contain at least 15% nitrogen, 30% phosphorus which is
expressed as P2O3, and 15% potassium which is expressed as K2O.

OBJECTIVE:

1.To illustrate an application of gravimetric analysis to a consumer product

2. Calculate the percentage of phosphorus inside the plant food.

APPARATUS

Balance Funnel supprort

Beakers (6) 250 mL Ring stand
Filter paper (whatman no.40) Stirring rods (3) with rubber policeman
Funnels (3)

CHEMICALS

75% aqueous isopropyl alcohol

10% aqueous MgSO4 .7H20
Plant food
2 M NH3 (aq)
METHODOLOGY

Weight 1.0 g unknown saple using filter paper.Tehn the sample was tensferred into 250 mL beaker
and mass was record.20 ml distilled water was added and the mixture was stirred with glass string rod
to dissolve the sample.Although all plant food are advertised to be water soluble ,they may contain a
small amount of insoluble residue.Our sample,did not dissolve completely then we remove the
insoluble material by filtration.22.5 ml of 10% Mgso4.7H2O was added .then 75 ml of 2 M NH3 was
added while string.A precipitate of MgNH4PO4.6H2O was form.the mixture allowed to sit at
temperature for 15 minute to comple the precipitation . the precipitate was collected on a preweight
piece of filter paper.

A filter paper was weight.the paper the has been folded (Figure 9.1) and fit into a glass funnel.The
filter paper then has been wet with distilled water .Then tensferred completely the precipitated and all
solution from beaher onto filter.The preciapetd has been washed with two ot three 5 ml distilled water
.This to make sure all precipitated was transferred without left behind.10 ml portion 75% isopropyl
alcohol was poured trought the filter paper.Then the filter was removed and placed in a numbered
watch glass and stored it to dry in locker until next lab period.The procedure was repeated with two
more sample.In our next lab period, the MgNH4PO4.6H2O was thoroughly dry.Weight the filter and
the MgNH4PO4.6H2O together .Mass was recorded and the percentage of phosphorus and P2O5 was
calculated .

Figure 9.1

SAFETY PRECAUTION:

One of the safety precaution is make sure the sample is completely dry. The sample that is not
completely dry affects the final mass of the precipitate and forms inaccurate results.Next,make sure to
pour down the glass rod carefully to prevent the filter paper from being torn. It will cause the loss of
mass of the sample if filter paper that was torn. This will affect the average mass of dry precipitate
and become a bit inaccurate.Avoid parallax error during measuring the solution in the beaker or
measuring cylinder. The position of eyes must be perpendicular to the scale at the point where we are
reading.
RESULT

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass of sample , (g) 1.0162 1.0635 1.0384

Mass of filter paper ,(g) 1.5861 1.5847 1.5621

Mass of filter paper , (g) and 2.1539 2.1901 2.0375

MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O , (g)

Mass of MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O , (g) 0.5678 0.6054 0.4654

Mass of P in original sample , (g) 0.0717 0.0764 0.0587

Percent in phosphorus , (%) 7.06 7.18 5.65

Average percentage of phosphorus ,(%) 6.63

Standard deviation 0.477

Percent of P₂O₅ , (%) 16.16 16.46 12.95

Average percentage of P₂O₅ , (%) 15.19

Standard deviation 1.3758

CALCULATION

Mass of phosphorus in the sample

● Trial 1
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃 30.97 𝑔 𝑃
(0.5678 g MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 245.414 𝑔 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)

= 0.0717 g

● Trial 2
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃 30.97 𝑔 𝑃
(0.6054 g MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 245.414 𝑔 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)

= 0.0764 g

● Trial 3
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃 30.97 𝑔 𝑃
( 0.4654g MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 245.414 𝑔 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)

= 0.0587 g

Percent in phosphorus

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
Percentage , % P = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
× 100%

● Trial 1
0.0717 𝑔
Percentage , % P = 1.0162𝑔
× 100 % = 7.06 %

● Trial 2
0.0764 𝑔
Percentage , % P = 1.0635𝑔
× 100 % = 7.18 %
 ● Trial 3
0.0587 𝑔
Percentage , % P = 1.0384𝑔
× 100 % = 5.65 %

Average percentage of phosphorus

Average percentage of Phosphorus (%)

∑ 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 (%)
= 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 , 𝑁

7.06+ 7.18 + 5.65

= 3

= 6.63 %

Standard deviation

∑(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥̅)²
Standard deviation s = 𝑁−1

(7.06−6.63)² + (7.18−6.63)² + (5.65−6.63)²

= 3−1

= 0.477

Do any of your results differ from the mean by more than two standard deviations?

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙 = 𝑥̅± 𝑠

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 =6.63% ±0.477%

|7.06 −6.63| =0.43%

|7.18 −6.63| =0.55%

|5.65 −6.63| =0.98%

There is one of the data that differ from the mean by more than two standard deviations
2𝑠 = 2 ×0.477% = 0.954%.
REPORTED PERCENT OF PHOSPHORUS

Percent of phosphorus = 6.63%

Percent of P₂O₅

● Trial 1

Mass of P₂O₅

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃

( 0.5678 g MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 245.414 𝑔 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 ) ×

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂ 𝑂₅ 141.9 𝑔 𝑃₂𝑂₅

( 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂𝑂₅
) = 0.1642 g

Percent of P₂O₅

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃₂𝑂₅ , 𝑚 (𝑔)

Percentage of P₂O₅ in the sample = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
× 100%

0.1642 𝑔
= 1.0162𝑔
× 100% = 16.16%

● Trial 2

Mass of P₂O₅

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃

(0.6054 g MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 245.414 𝑔 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 ) ×

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂ 𝑂₅ 141.9 𝑔 𝑃₂𝑂₅

( 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂𝑂₅
) = 0.1750 g

Percent of P₂O₅

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃₂𝑂₅ , 𝑚 (𝑔)

Percentage of P₂O₅ in the sample = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
× 100%

0.1750 𝑔
= 1.0635𝑔
× 100% = 16.46%
 ● Trial 3

Mass of P₂O₅

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃

(0.4654 g MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 245.414 𝑔 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 ) ×

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂ 𝑂₅ 141.9 𝑔 𝑃₂𝑂₅

( 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂𝑂₅
) = 0.1345 g

Percent of P₂O₅

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃₂𝑂₅ , 𝑚 (𝑔)

Percentage of P₂O₅ in the sample = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
× 100%

0.1345 𝑔
= 1.0384𝑔
× 100% = 12.95%

∑ 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑃₂𝑂₅ 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 (%)

Average percentage of P₂O₅ = 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠, 𝑁

16.16 % + 16.46 % + 12.95 %

= 3
= 15.19%

Do the guaranteed and experimental values agree within two standard deviations?

∑(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥̅)²
Standard deviation , s = 𝑁−1

(16.16−15.19)² + (16.46−15.19)² + (12.95−15.19)²

3−1

= 1.9457

2s=2x 1.9457% =3.8914%

No, the guaranteed minimum percent P₂O₅ does not agree with the experimental value of

P₂O₅ because |30.00% −15.19%| =14.19% which is greater than the value of two standard

deviations 2𝑠 = 2 × 0.1845% =0.3690%

QUESTION

1.The following percentages of chloride were found in a sample : 22.52% ,22.14%.22.61%

and 22.75% a) Find the mean ,the standard deviation and relative standard deviation b) Can

any result be discarded?

22.52+22.14+22.61+22.75
a) Mean= 4
= 22.505​

2 2 2 2
(22.52−22.505) +(22.14−22.505) +(22.61−22.505) +(22.75−22.505)
Standard deviation = 4

= 0.261

𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
relative standard deviation = 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛
𝑥100

0.261
= 22.505 𝑥100%

= 1.160%

b) Based on the standard deviation rule, none of the given percentages (22.52%, 22.14%,

22.61%, and 22.75%) can be considered outliers, as none of them lie more than three

standard deviations from the mean.

Thus, no results should be discarded

2.What is the percent phosphorus in Mg𝐾𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂?

Molar mass Mg𝐾𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 = 24.305+39.098+30.974+63.996+108.09

=266.463g/mol

30.974𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
266.463𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.116

Percentage phosphorus in Mg𝐾𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂= 0.116 x 100% = 11.6%

3.Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 has a solubility of 0.023g/100 ml in water.Suppose a 5.02 g sample was

washed with 20 ml of water .What fraction of the Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 would be lost?

0.023 𝑔 𝑥
100 𝑚𝑙
= 20 𝑚𝑙

x = 0.046 g

0.046 𝑔
Fraction MgNH4PO4.6H2O would be lost = 5.02 𝑔
= 0.00916

4.Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 loses 𝐻2𝑂 stepwise as it is heated.Between 40 ℃ and 60℃ ,the

monohydrate is formed and above 100℃ ,the anhydrous material is formed.What is the

phosphorus percentage of the monohydrate and the anhydrous material?

Molar mass monohydrate,Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4.𝐻2𝑂 = 24.305 + 14.007+ 4(1.008) + 30.974+

4(15.999) + 2(1.008) +15.999

= 155.297 g/mol

Molar mass anhydrous,Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4 = 24.305 + 14.007+ 4(1.008) + 30.974+4(15.999)

= 137.29 g/mol

30.974 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
Phosphorus percentage for monohydrate,Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4.𝐻2𝑂 = 155.297 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙 x 100%= 19.95%

30.974 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
Phosphorus percentage for anhydrous,Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4 = 137.29 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
x 100% = 22.56%
5.Ignition of the Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂production for this reaction .If 2.50 g of

Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 are ignited ,how many grams of Mg𝑃2𝑂7.are formed?

2Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 → Mg𝑃2𝑂7+𝑁𝐻3+𝐻2𝑂

Molar mass Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂= 24.305+14.007+30.974+63.996+108.09 +

4(1.008)

= 245.38g/mol

Molar mass Mg𝑃2𝑂77= 48.61+61.948+111.993

= 222.551g/mol

2.50 𝑔
Mole 2 Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 = 245.38 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.01 mole

0.01 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
Mole 1 Mg𝑁𝐻4𝑃𝑂4⋅6𝐻2𝑂 = 2𝑙
= 0.005 mole

222.551𝑔
Mass Mg𝑃2𝑂7= 0.005 mole x 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
= 1.113 g

6.What is the percentage of 𝑃2𝑂5 in Mg𝑃2𝑂7?

Molar mass Mg𝑃2𝑂7 = 48.61+61.948+111.993

= 222.551g/mol

Molar mass 𝑃2𝑂5 = 61.948+79.995 = 141.943g/mol

141.943𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
Percentage = 222.551𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
x 100% = 63.78%
7.Today sodium content in food is an important health concern .How many milligrams of

sodium are present in 1 ounce of table salt (NaCI)?

Molar mass NaCI = 22.990+35.453 =58.443g/mol

Molar mass sodium = 22.990 g/mol

22.990𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
Percentage sodium = 58.443𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
x 100% = 39.3%

There are approximately 28.3495 grams in 1 ounce.

28.3495g×0.393 = 11.152grams

Since there are 1000 milligrams in a gram, convert the mass of sodium in grams to

milligrams:

11.152 grams×1000 =11,152 milligrams

DISCUSSION

Gravimetry is a method where weight is the ultimate source of quantitative data(4).In this
experiment, we determined the phosphorus content of a sample by separating and
precipitating a weighable form of phosphorus in which we did gravimetric calculations from
(2). We applied similar principles of gravimetric analysis. The experiment was repeated 3
times to get an average percentage of phosphorus.To get the percent of phosphorus we first
obtained mass of sample.The mass of sample 1 is 1.0162 g, sample 2 is 1.0635 g and sample
3 is
1.0364 g. The samples were dissolved in 20 mL of distilled water. Undissolved particles
were treated as contaminants and were filtered out.

A clear solution was obtained. 22.4 mL of 10% Mg𝑆𝑂4⋅7𝐻2𝑂 solution was added to the

filtrate. While constantly stirring, 75 mL of 2.0 M 𝑁𝐻₃was slowly added to the solution,
forming a white precipitate. It is important to add 𝑁𝐻₃ slowly while stirring.Since 𝑁𝐻₃ act as
the precipitating agent it must added slowly with constant stirring to prevent the formation of
Magnesium Hydroxide. The 𝑁𝐻₃ was used instead of 𝑁𝐻₄𝐶𝑙 because the presence of 𝐶𝑙¯
ions in 𝑁𝐻₄𝐶𝑙 will attract 𝑀𝑔²⁺ and thus producing 𝑀𝑔𝐶𝑙₂.The overall chemical formula for
the precipitation of MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O is as below:

5𝐻₂𝑂(𝑙) + 𝐻𝑃𝑂²⁻₄ (𝑎𝑞) + 𝑁𝐻⁺(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑀𝑔²⁺(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑂𝐻¯(𝑎𝑞) → 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄. 6𝐻₂𝑂

The solution was then set aside for 15 minutes, to give time for the digestion process.
Digestion is where we leave the precipitate in its mother liquor for a certain amount of time
to improve the stability of the precipitate. The precipitate was then quantitatively transferred
into a pre-weighed filter paper. The precipitate was washed 3 times with distilled water and 2
times with 95% ethanol. Washing of the precipitate with 95% ethanol to remove adsorbed
non-volatile substances which may cause errors.Thus,organic substances left in the solution.
It also removes extra water from the precipitate, and it is easily removed from the precipitate
as it is a volatile substance. Gravimetric data were then collected. To get the mass of
𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄. 6𝐻₂𝑂 we subtract mass of filter paper plus mass 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄. 6𝐻₂𝑂 with mass
filter paper.The mass 1 trial for 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄. 6𝐻₂𝑂 is 0.5678 g ,the mass 2 trial is 0.6054 g
and the mass of 3 trial is 0.4654 g.From this we will use stoichiometry to get mass of
phosphorus,P and P₂O₅.The formula is ;-
 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑃
(mass g MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)

The mass phosphorus,P 1 trial is 0.0717 g,the 2 trial is 0.0764 g and 3 trials is 0.0587 g.

The percentage of Phosphorus in the sample may be estimated using the formula below after

acquiring the mass of Phosphorus.

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
Percentage , % P = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
× 100 %

The percentage for 1 trial is 7.06% ,the 2 trial is 7.18% and the 3 trial is 5.65%. For the mean

we got 6.63% and the standard deviation is 0.477. The confidence interval for the percentage

of P₂O₅ in the sample is 6.63% ± 0.477%.

Besides that, the percentage of the P₂O₅ for trial 1, trial 2 and trial 3 were calculated at16.16

%, 16.46 % 𝑎𝑛𝑑 12.95 % respectively after calculating the mass of P₂O₅ in the sample for

each trial using the formula below by taking into consideration that 1 mol of 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄.

6𝐻₂𝑂 is equivalent to 1 mol of P and 2 mol of P is equivalent to 1 mol of P₂O₅;

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6𝐻₂𝑂 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂ 𝑂₅ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃₂𝑂₅

(mass MgNH₄PO₄𑁦6H₂O)( 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑀𝑔𝑁𝐻₄𝑃𝑂₄𑁦6 𝐻₂𝑂 )( 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃
)( 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑃₂𝑂₅
)

The formula below may be used to calculate the percentage of P₂O₅ in the sample;

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃₂𝑂₅ , 𝑚 (𝑔)

Percentage of P₂O₅ in the sample = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 , 𝑚 (𝑔)
× 100%

The mean for P₂O₅ is 15.19% and standard deviation is 1.9457. The confidence interval for

the percentage of P₂O₅ in the sample is 15.19% ±1.9457%. Based on result for percentage
of P₂O₅ is less which is 15.19% compared to supposedly amount that need to have in plant

food which is 30%.Possible sources of errors include improper washing and heating process,

not enough digestion process which decreases accuracy of results, contamination,

mishandling of filter paper, and wrong solution preparation.

CONCLUSION:

From the experiment, an application of gravimetric analysis has been illustrated to a

consumer product. The percentage of phosphorus inside the plant food has been

calculated.The percentage of phosphorus in trial 1, trial 2 and trial 3 are respectively 7.06%,

7.18% and 5.65%. So, the average percentage of phosphorus obtained in this experiment is

6.63%.This followed by the standard deviation of 0.477 and the confidence level for this

experiment is equal to 6.63% ±0.477% .Percentage P2O5 in the sample in trial 1, trial 2 and

trial 3 are respectively 16.16%, 16.46% and 15.95%. So, the average percentage of P2O5 is

15.19%. This followed by its standard deviation of 1.9457 and the confidence interval is

15.19%±1.9457%.From the results obtained, the average percentage of phosphorus

(expressed in P205) is less than the percentage of the label which is 30%. The differences

illustrate that this experiment is less accurate.Since the standard deviation of percentage

phosphorus is less than the standard deviation of P₂O₅ , it can show that the experiment was

accurate as a standard deviation measure how dispersed is the data relation to the mean. High

value of standard deviation indicates high discrepancy of the data .In conclusion the objective

of the experiment is achieved.

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http://www.esu.edu/~scady/Experiment s/Fertilizer.pdf

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https://www.britannica.com/science/gravimetric-analysis

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