Normality volumetric

Calculations
We have seen previously that solving volumetric
problems required setting up a relation between the
number of mmoles or reacting species. In case of
normality, calculation is easier as we always have
the number of milli equivalents (meq) of substance A
is equal to meq of substance B, regardless of the
stoichiometry in the chemical equation. Of course
this is because the number of moles involved in the
reaction is accounted for in the calculation of meqs.
Therefore, the first step in a calculation using
normalities is to write down the relation

meq A = meq B

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The next step is to substitute for meq by one of the
following relations
meq = N x VmL
meq = mg/eq wt
meq = n x mmol

We should remember from previous lectures that:

eq wt = FW/n
N=nxM
Therefore, change from molarity or number of moles to
normality or number of equivalents using the above
relations.

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 Example

A 0.4671 g sample containing sodium bicarbonate was

titrated with HCl requiring 40.72 mL. The acid was
standardized by titrating 0.1876 g of sodium
carbonate (FW = 106 mg/mmol) requiring 37.86 mL of
the acid. Find the percentage of NaHCO3 (FW=84.0
mg/mmol) in the sample.

This problem was solved previously using molarity.

The point here is to use normalities in order to
practice and learn how to use the meq concept. First,
let us find the normality of the acid from reaction
with carbonate (reacts with two protons as you
know).
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Eq wt Na2CO3 = FW/2 = 53.0 and eq wt NaHCO3 = FW/1
= 84.0

meq HCl = meq Na2CO3

Now substitute for meq as mentioned above:

Normality x volume (mL) = wt (mg)/ eq wt

N x 37.86 = 187.6 mg/ (53 mg/meq)

NHCl= 0.0935 eq/L

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Now we can find meq NaHCO3 where
meq NaHCO3 = meq HCl

mg NaHCO3 / eq wt = N x VmL

mg NaHCO3 /84.0 = 0.0935 x 40.72

mg NaHCO3 = 84.0 x 0.0935 x 40.72 mg
% NaHCO3 = (84.0 x 0.0935 x 40.72 mg/476.1
mg) x 100 = 67.2%

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Example

Use normalities to calculate how many mL of a 0.10 M

H2SO4 will react with 20 mL of 0.25 M NaOH.

Solution

We can first convert molarities to normalities:

N=nxM

N (H2SO4) = 2 x 0.10 = 0.20

N (NaOH) = 1 x 0.25 = 0.25

•

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meq H2SO4 = meq NaOH

Substitute for meq as usual (either NVmL or

mg/eq wt)

0.20 x VmL = 0.25 x 20

VmL = 25 mL

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Example

Find the normality of sodium carbonate (FW = 106) in a

solution containing 0.212 g carbonate in 100 mL
solution if:
The carbonate is used as a monobasic base.
The carbonate is used as a dibasic base.

Solution

If carbonate is a monobasic base then eq wt = FW/1 =

106/1 = 106 mg/meq
•

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To find the normality of the solution we find the
weight per mL and then convert the weight
per mL to meq/mL. We have 212 mg/100 mL
which means 2.12 mg/mL. Now the point is
how many meq per 2.12 mg sodium
carbonate.
meq = mg/eq wt = 2.12/106 = 0.02 meq
Then the normality is 0.02 N

If carbonate is to be used as a dibasic salt then

the eq wt = FW/2 = 106/2 = 53 mg/meq.
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To find the normality of the solution we find
the weight per mL and then convert the
weight per mL to meq/mL. We have 212
mg/100 mL which means 2.12 mg/mL.
Now the point is how many meq per 2.12
mg sodium carbonate.
meq = mg/eq wt = 2.12/53 = 0.04 meq

Then normality will be 0.04 N

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Example
How many mg of I2 (FW = 254 mg/mmol) should
you weigh to prepare 250 mL of 0.100 N
solution in the reaction:
I2 + 2e g 2 I-
Solution
To find the number of mg I2 to be weighed and
dissolved we get the meq required. We have:
meq = N x VmL
meq = 0.100 x 250 = 25.0 meq
mg I2 = meq x eq wt = meq x FW/2 = 25.0 x
254/2 = 3.18x103 mg
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Example

Find the normality of the solution containing 0.25

g/L H2C2O4 (FW = 90.0 mg/mmol). Oxalic acid
reacts as a diacidic substance.

Solution

Since oxalic acid acts as a diacidic substance

then its eq wt = FW/2 = 90.0/2 = 45.0
mg/meq

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We convert the mg acid per mL to meq acid
per mL We have 0.25 mg acid/mL
meq acid = 0.25 mg/45.0 mg/meq = 0.0056
meq

Therefore, the normality is 0.0056 meq/mL

•

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 The Titer Concept
In many situations where routine titrations are
carried out and to avoid wasting time in
performing calculations, one can calculate the
weight of analyte in mg equivalent to 1 mL of
titrant. The obtained value is called the titer of
the titrant. For example, an EDTA bottle is
labeled as having a titer of 2.345 mg CaCO3.
This means that each mL of EDTA consumed in
a titration of calcium carbonate corresponds to
2.345 mg CaCO3. If the titration required 6.75
mL EDTA then we have in solution 2.345 x 6.75
mg of calcium carbonate.
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Example

What is the titer of a 5.442g/L K2Cr2O7 (FW = 294.2

mg/mmol) in terms of Fe2O3 (FW = 159.7 mg/mmol).
The equation is:
6 Fe2+ + Cr2O72- + 14 H+ g 6 Fe3+ + 2 Cr3+ + 7 H2O

Solution

1 mL of K2Cr2O7 contains 5.442 mg K2Cr2O7 per mL.

Therefore let us find how many mg Fe2O3
corresponds to this value of K2Cr2O7.

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mmol K2Cr2O7 per mL = 5.442 mg/294.2 (mg/mmol) =
0.0185

mmol Fe2O3 = 3 mmol K2Cr2O7

mmol Fe2O3 = 3 x 0.0185 = 0.0555 mmol

mg = mmol x FW

mg Fe2O3 = 0.0555 mmol x (159.7 mg/mmol) = 8.86 mg

Therefore, the titer of K2Cr2O7 in terms of Fe2O3 is 8.86

mg Fe2O3 per mL K2Cr2O7

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