Purpose of experiment:

This experiment was carried out in order to obtain the amount of acid that is able to be

neutralised by an antacid tablet via back-titration method.

Variables:

Independent variables Method of application

Mass of tablet The initial and final mass of the tablet before
and after being crushed into powdered form
was weighed.

Dependant variables Response of method

Indicator in the ground antacid solution. Three drops of phenolphthalein were added to
the antacid solution. A colour change is
observed in concordance with the change of
pH level.
Volume of NaOH used to neutralise the acidic The volume of NaOH was recorded at the
solution end-point of the titration.

Controlled variables Method of controlling

Concentration of base used.
Volume of acid used in antacid dilution.
Amount of the indicator used.
The concentration of NaOH was kept constant
at 0.116 moldm-3
The volume of acid used in the antacid
dilution used in the conical flask was kept
constant at 25cm3 by using a 25cm3
volumetric pipette.
3 drops of phenolphthalein was added into the
conical flask throughout the whole
experiment.
Introduction:

In this experiment, acid-base titration was carried out to obtain the end-point of the

reaction (the corresponding point where the pH matches with the respective salt and water

formed). In theory, when acids and bases react a neutralisation process would occur to form salt

and water. The aim of the experiment is to determine the amount of acid that can be neutralised

by an antacid tablet via back titration in which the antacid was first neutralised with a fixed

amount of Hydrochloric acid and then later neutralised again with Sodium hydroxide.

Background theory:

The chemical reaction of an acid and base is very much important in many different fields such

as industry, enviromental and biological. These acid-base reactions can be analysed

quantitatively via titration. Titration is carried out with the purpose of obtaining the

concentration of another solution by using a solution of known concentration and observing the

reaction that takes place.

Concentration or also known as Molarity(M), indicates the number of moles of solute in exaxtly

one litre of solution. In order to calculate the value of molarity, two values of quantity must be of

knowledge which are the moles of solute present in the solution and the volume of solution in

litres containing the solute.

The equation used to calculate molarity is as follows:

𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒

𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑀 =
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠
For example: A 0.116 mol/L solution of Hydrochloric acid means that 0.116 moles of HCl have

been dissolved in one litre of solution.

Molarity is also a conversion factor between moles and volume of solution:

𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑛 = 𝑋 (𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠)
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠

An acid can be said to be a source of aqueous H+ (aq) . For instance, HCl is the acid found in the
+ −
stomach (𝐻𝐶𝑙(𝑎𝑞) → 𝐻(𝑎𝑞) + 𝐶𝑙(𝑎𝑞) ) . Ideally in a healthy stomach, the pH is regulated naturally

and digestion functions properly when the pH is around 3. The excess amount of acid can be

combated with bases, or “antacids”. According to the Bronsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases,

a base is defined as a proton acceptor. Since bases are H+(aq) in water, they can provide the

species to react with H+(aq) .

The average composition of an antacid is made up of usually metal hydroxide and metal

carbonate salts. Metal hydroxides contain hydroxide, OH- ions which can react with H+(aq) ions to
+
produce water, H2O. Metal carbonates contain carbonate ions, 𝐶𝑂32− which can react with 𝐻(𝑎𝑞)

to form H2O and CO2.

+ −
𝐻(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑂𝐻(𝑎𝑞) → 𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙)

+ 2−
2𝐻(𝑎𝑞) + 𝐶𝑂3(𝑎𝑞) → 𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙) + 𝐶𝑂2(𝑔)

As stated on the label of this particular antacid, the active ingredients are 200mg of Aluminium

Hydroxide, 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 152𝑚𝑔 𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑒, 𝑀𝑔(𝑂𝐻)2 .

The balanced equations for neutralisation of acid reaction with these active ingredients are:

𝑀𝑔(𝑂𝐻)2 + 2𝐻𝐶𝑙 ↔ 𝑀𝑔2+ + 2𝐶𝑙 − + 2𝐻2 𝑂

𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3 + 3𝐻𝐶𝑙 ↔ 𝐴𝑙𝐶𝑙3 + 3𝐻2 𝑂

In order to determine the amount of base in the antacid tablet, it is dissolved in excess acid of a

known amount. The excess mixture of acid is then neutralised with more base.

[Mg(OH)2 / Al(OH)3] + HCl → neutralised tablet + excess acid → acidic solution with excess
HCl + NaOH → Neutral solution

𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻(𝑎𝑞) is used to titrate the excess HCl until enough 𝑂𝐻 − ions from the NaOH solution has

been added to reach the end-point of the reaction where in which the 𝐻 + ions have been

completely reacted. In short, a portion of the acid is neutralised by the antacid tablet whereas the

remainder is neutralised by the NaOH added. This process is called back-titration.

The end-point or equivalence point is when the number of moles of NaOH added is equal to the

amount of HCl remaining after reaction with the antacid tablet. At the end-point, the acid has

been neutralised by the base.

This can clearly be represented as:

𝑉𝐻 ++ × 𝑀𝐻 + = 𝑛𝐻 + = 𝑛𝑂𝐻 − = 𝑉𝑂𝐻− × 𝑀𝑂𝐻 −

𝑛𝐻 + = 𝑉𝑂𝐻− × [𝑂𝐻 − ]

Hence, : 𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 𝑛𝐻𝐶𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 + 𝑛𝐻𝐶𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻

𝑛𝐻𝐶𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑡 = (𝑉𝐻𝐶𝑙 × 𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙 ) − (𝑉𝑂𝐻 − × 𝑀𝑂𝐻 − )

One factor to be taken into account is that acids and bases are generally colourless in their

physical appearance. In order to identify the end-point of the titration, an acid-base indicator is

used. The indicator is usually an organic dye that acts as a weak acid or weak base. At end-point

of the reaction, the amount of 𝐻 + ions and 𝑂𝐻 − ions are equal. The introduction of an acid-base

indicator allows us to clearly observe the change in pH. For this experiment, phenolphthalein is

used as the indicator. Three drops were added to the diluted antacid mixture. The desired colour

change for the titration is from colourless to light pink as phenolphthalein is colourless in acid

and pink in basic solution.

Materials and apparatus:

Materials  Sodium hydroxide, 0.116 mol dm-3

 Hydrochloric acid, 1.0 mol dm-3
 One antacid tablet, 0.94g
 Distilled water
 Phenolphthalein indicator
Apparatus  Burette, 50cm3
 Retort stand and clamp
 Volumetric flask, 250cm3
 Volumetric pipette, 25cm3
 Conical flask, 100cm3
 Dropper
 Bunsen burner
 Wooden matches
 Tripod stand
 Wire gauze sheet
 Pipette filler
 Beaker tongs
 Spatula
 Glass rod
 Electronic beam balance
 White tile

Apparatus Uncertainty
Burette ±0.05cm3
Volumetric flask ±0.2cm3
Volumetric pipette ±0.04cm3
Conical flask ±25cm3
Electronic beam balance ±0.01g
Experimental procedures:

1. The mass of the antacid tablet was weighed and recorded using an electronic beam balance.

2. Next, the antacid tablet was ground into powdered form and weighed once again. The ground

tablet was then transferred into a beaker using a spatula.

3. Using a 25cm3 volumetric pipette, 25cm3 of Hydrochlroric acid, 1.0 mol dm-3 was added to

the beaker containing the ground antacid tablet.

4. Mixture was heated over a Bunsen burner gently till a near boil for about a minute.

5. The resulting mixture was then stirred with a glass rod until thoroughly mixed and left to

cool. Then, the mixture was diluted in a volumetric flask and was shaken thoroughly.

6. Sodium hydroxide of 0.116 mol dm-3 was then added to a burette of volume 50cm3 using a

funnel.

7. 25cm3 of diluted mixture was added into a conical flask. After that, 3 drops of

phenolphthalein were added into the mixture as an indicator.

8. Sodium Hydroxide was then left to flow drop by drop into the conical flask using a burette

while swirling it continuously until the color of the solution changed from colourless to pale

pink.

9. The final volume of Sodium Hydroxide was recorded and then titre was calculated –The

minimum amount of a solution required to reach end-point in a titration.

10. Steps 1-12 were repeated two more times to obtain an average titre value. The recorded data

was then tabulated.

 Safety precautions:

Hazard Safety precaution

1.Handling of corrosive substances – Hydrochloric
acid.
2.Heating substances with a bunsen burner.
3.Handling of experimental apparatus.
 Ensure that gloves are worn when dealing with
corrosive substances to avoid injury.
 Wear goggles at all times when handling
corrosive material to prevent damage to eyes.
 Handle corrosive material with full attention.
 Always wear goggles when heating substances.
 Do not directly handle hot apparatus, instead use
a test tube holder or beaker clamp.
 Light wooden match before turning gas knob of
bunsen burner on.
 Avoid pointing test tube directly towards oneself
or another while heating.
 Wear covered shoes to avoid injury from falling
apparatus.
 Handle fragile glass apparatus with caution to
avoid breaking them and causing injury.
 Lab coat is to be worn at all times when entering
the lab.

Observations and results:

Raw data

Trial Initial volume Final volume of Volume of NaOH required to

of NaOH NaOH (cm3) neutralise antacid dilution.(cm3)
(cm3)
1 0.00 20.10 20.10

2 0.00 20.60 20.60

3 0.00 21.00 21.00

20.10+20.60+21.00
Average amount of NaOH required: 3
= 20.57 𝑐𝑚3
Processed data:

Mass of antacid tablet: 0.94g

Mass of ground tablet:0.93g

𝑀𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 1.0𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑑𝑚−3

𝑀𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 = 0.116𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑑𝑚−3

(𝑀𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 ×𝑉𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 ) 0.116×20.57

Mol of NaOH = = = 0.00239 𝑚𝑜𝑙
1000 1000

Since, 𝐻 + + 𝑂𝐻 − → 𝐻2 𝑂

Mol of 𝐻 + = 0.00239 𝑚𝑜𝑙

The main active ingredients of the antacid tablet are as follows:

Aluminium Hydroxide, 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3 − 200mg

Magnesium Hydroxide, 𝑀𝑔(𝑂𝐻)2 – 152mg

Theorectical calculation of amount of NaOH required to neutralise antacid dilution:

𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3 → 𝐴𝑙 3+ + 3𝑂𝐻 −

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 0.2
Mole of 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3 = 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝒐𝒍
78

Using mole ratio, Mole of 𝑂𝐻 − = 3 × (2.56 × 10−3 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑚−3 ) = 𝟕. 𝟔𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒎−𝟑

 𝑀𝑔(𝑂𝐻)2 → 𝑀𝑔2+ + 2𝑂𝐻 −

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 0.152
Mole of 𝑀𝑔(𝑂𝐻)2 = 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = = 𝟐. 𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝒐𝒍
58.3

Using mole ratio, mole of 𝑂𝐻 − = 2 × (2.6 × 10−3 ) = 𝟓. 𝟐𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒎−𝟑

Total moles of 𝑶𝑯− = (7.69 × 10−3 ) + (5.21 × 10−3 ) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟗𝒎𝒐𝒍

𝑀𝑉 1(25)
Mol of 𝑯+ added before dilution : 1000 = = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟓𝒎𝒐𝒍
1000

𝑯+ + 𝑶𝑯− → 𝑯𝟐 𝑶

Moles of 𝑯+ remaining before dilution: 𝑛𝐻 + 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 − 𝑛𝑂𝐻 − 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 0.025 − 0.0129

= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟏𝒎𝒐𝒍

After dilution, the number of moles of 𝐻 + will not change.

𝑯+ remaining after dilution, 250𝒄𝒎𝟑 : 0.0121mol

𝑯+ 𝒅𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒅 ∶ 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 × 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 = 𝑀𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 × 𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

1(25) = 𝑀𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (250)

𝑀𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0.1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑑𝑚−3

𝑴𝑽
Mole of 𝑯+ 𝒅𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒅 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎

0.1(25)
= = 𝟐. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝒐𝒍
1000
Discussion:

0.0129−0.0006
1. Percentage error- 𝑋 100 = 95%
0.0129

2. The percentage error could be justified by the loss of mass during the crushing of

antacid into powdered form.