Project 7: Acids and Bases

Group 1

Adriana Betancourt 5715767

Ilan Timerman 5777550

CHM 1046 Lab U23

3/29/18

Yongjun Huang
Abstract: The main purpose of the first part of this experiment was to determine if a unknown

solution was an acid or a base based off of the pH levels, conductivity results (strong or weak

electrolyte), and color from the flame test of different solutions. The results were that unknown

solution 218 was identified as base NaOH because it had a pH of 11, was a strong electrolyte,

and had an orange/yellow flame. Unknown solution 32 was identified as acid CH3CO2H because

it had a pH of 3, was a weak electrolyte, and had no color in the flame. The second part of the

experiment had to do with the standardization of NaOH with KHP and the standardization of

HCl with NaOH. The goal was to create solutions with molarities as close to 1M as possible,

which will then lead to the calculations of the RAD for both the NaOH and HCl, which were

4.1911 and 6.225 respectively. The goal of the third part of the experiment was to find the

concentration of the unknown solutions using a phenolphthalein indicator. The SPARK

experiment helped find the final pH, using the pH meter for the HCl titrated against the unknown

base and the NaOH titrated against the unknown acid which were 3.31 and 12.36 respectively.

The unknown acidic solution for Trial 1 had a concentration of 0.2125M and for Trial 2 had a

concentration of 0.1620M. The unknown basic solution for Trial 1 had a concentration of

0.1652M and for Trial 2 had a concentration of 0.1441M.

Introduction: This experiment explored the properties of different acids and bases. It touched

upon the strength of different species, as well as pH. pH (potential hydrogen) stands for the

concentration of hydronium in an aqueous or liquid solution. This is used to measure the overall

acidity or basicity of the solution in question. The PH scale goes from 0 to 14, with the following

ranges:

- x<7: acidic
 - x>7: basic (or alkaline)

- x

=7:

neutral

- D

ependi

ng on

the

strengt

h of the acid or base, the pH will be closer to 0 or 14. For example: hydrochloric

acid is a strong acid, so we can expect that it will be closer to 0 when compared to

weaker acids, such as acetic acid.

There are a couple of ways in which pH can be measured. The easiest way involves the

use of the Spark system: using a chemistry probe and an attached pH sensor, you simply place

the sensor in the solution after calibration, and it will be calculated automatically. This is also the

most accurate way of measuring the pH, assuming that the sensor is functioning properly and

calibrated.
 Another way to estimate the pH is using litmus paper. Simply touch the solution with a

glass rod and place a couple of drops of the solution on the paper, and it will change color. Then,

one only has to compare the paper with the scale above to determine the pH. The downside of

using litmus paper is that it will "round" the pH to the closest integer. For example, if the pH of

the solution is 3.3, it will turn yellow, rounding it to 3.

When titrating a base against an acid, one could also use the indicator phenolphthalein.

Phenolphthalein is an acid-base indicator that is colorless when in a pH of 8.5 or below, but will

turn pink once the pH passes the range of 8.5 to 9. This will tell you, when titrating a base

against an acid, if the solution has been completely standardized. When titrating an acid against a

base, the change towards clear color will indicate that the pH has become basic and the solution

has been standardized.

Two titrations were performed, with each being repeated three times. The standardization of

NaOH with KHP was an indirect standardization. The standardization of HCl with NaOH was

direct. Direct standardization is characterized by addition of a standard titrant to the analyte, until

an endpoint is reached. Indirect is characterized by addition of a standard titrant to the analyte,

then titrating the excess titrant to determine how much is in excess.

 To test the strength of each solution, we used two different methods of measurement. The

first method is to simply determine if an acid or base is a strong electrolyte, meaning it

dissociates completely or weak, which does not dissociate completely. The instrument sends an

electrical current from the outlet into the aqueous solution, and a cable passes the electricity to a

base with two light bulbs. If the electrolyte is strong, the lightbulbs will shine brighter. If it is a

weak electrolyte, it

will not shine as bright

as if it was strong.

The other way to test for conductivity is using the conductivity meter in the spark system, which

will give a more detailed or accurate reading of the conductivity. The benefit of using the spark

system is that it allows you to use graphs to better understand the relationships.

Procedures (Materials and Methods): For the first part of this experiment, 8 solutions were

presented (NaOH, HCl, HNO3, KOH, CH3CO2H, NH4OH, CH3CO2 Na+, NH4Cl) and first
tested using pH paper. The pH paper was inserted into a small sample of each of the solutions

and measured using the pH color reference 1 (pink) - 12 (blue), with 7 being neutral (green).

Then the 8 solutions were tested to find if they were a strong or weak electrolyte by using the

light bulb conductivity sensor. The wire end was placed into the solution and the switch was

turned on, and if the solution was a strong electrolyte, the light bulb lit up brightly while if the

solution was a weak electrolyte, the light bulb would be lit up less intensely. Then, a wire loop

was placed into the 8 different solutions and placed over a flame and observed to see if the flame

changed color. The results were recorded in Data Table 1. The pH paper, conductivity light bulb

sensor, and flame test were all repeated for both unknown solutions. The results from all the

solutions were then used to identify the unknown solutions 218 and 32.

The second part of the experiment began with the standardization of the NaOH and HCl

before it could be titrated against the unknown acid and base. To standardize NaOH, 2.040g of

KHP was dissolved in deionized water by placing a magnetic stir bar in the beaker on top of the

stirring plate. Then 3 drops phenolphthalein were added to the beaker, and the titration was

started, and ended once the solution turned a faint pink color, indicating the endpoint of the

titration. This was done 3 times for all 3 trials. The volume of NaOH delivered via titration was

then used to calculate the concentration (M) of NaOH for the 3 different trials. Those

concentrations were then added up and divided by 3 to get the average concentration, which was

then used to solve for the RAD of NaOH. To standardize HCl, it was titrated against NaOH and

the volume delivered was used to calculate the concentration (M) of HCl for the 3 different trials.

Those concentrations were then added up and divided by 3 to get the average concentration,

which was then used to solve for the RAD of HCl.

 The third part of the experiment began with setting the pH range of the unknown acid and

unknown base using given buffers and the SPARK system (with pH sensor abilities). Once the

SPARK and the pH sensor were set up, and the titration of the HCl and unknown base had

begun, pH was recorded every 0.5mL until the solution reached the lower bound of the pH range,

towards 3. This was then repeated for the NaOH and the unknown acid titration, with pH being

recorded every 0.5mL until the solution reached the upper bound of the pH range, towards 13.

Once the range was established, the titration of the unknown acid using the NaOH with 3 drops

of phenolphthalein indicator was performed to find the volume delivered and eventually

calculate the concentration of the unknown acid over 2 trials. Then another titration of the

unknown base using the HCl with 4 drops of phenolphthalein was performed to find the volume

delivered and eventually calculate the concentration of the unknown base over 2 trials.

Results:

Data Table 1: This table shows the measurements found when testing the pH, conductivity, and

color of the flame test, using pH paper, a conductivity light bulb sensor, and a bunsen burner.

pH, Conductivity, and Flame Test for Solutions

Solutions pH conductivity Flame test colors

NaOH 11 strong orange/yellow

HCl 1 strong no color

HNO3 1 strong no color

KOH 12 strong purple

CH3CO2H 3 weak no color

NH4OH 11 weak yellow

CH3CO2 Na+ 7 weak no color

 NH4Cl 6 strong no color

Unknown 218 11 strong orange/yellow

Unknown 32 3 weak no color

Data Table 2: This table shows the standardization process of NaOH over three trials, and then

molarity was calculated, absolute and average deviations were found, then used to calculate the

RAD (as shown below).

Standardization of NaOH

Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

KHP (g) 2.040 2.040 2.040

Volume initial (mL) 38.0 27.5 17.0

Volume final (mL) 27.5 17.0 6.4

Volume used (mL) 10.5 10.5 10.4

Concentration (M) of 2.040g KHP x 1 mol 2.040g KHP x 1 mol 2.040g KHP x 1 mol
NaOH KHP / 204.22g x 1 KHP / 204.22g x 1 KHP / 204.22g x 1
mol Na / 1 mol KHP mol Na / 1 mol KHP mol Na / 1 mol KHP
= 0.0099892 mol = 0.0099892 mol = 0.0099892 mol
NaOH / 0.0105L = NaOH / 0.0105L = NaOH / 0.0104L =

0.9514M 0.9514M 0.9605M

Average 0.9544
Concentration (M)

Absolute deviation 0.9514-0.9544 = 0.9514-0.9544 = 0.9605-0.9544 =

0.0030 0.0030 0.0061

Average deviation 0.0040

RAD 4.1911

-Calculation for RAD of NaOH:

0.9544M = (0.9514+0.9514+0.9605) / 3
 |d| = (0.9544-0.9514) + (0.9544-0.9514) + (0.9544-0.9605) / 3 => |d| = 0.0040

RAD = 0.0040 / 0.9544 x 1000 = 4.1911

Data Table 3: This table shows the standardization process of HCl over three trials, and then

molarity was calculated, absolute and average deviations were found, then used to calculate the

RAD (as shown below).

Standardization of HCl

Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Volume HCl (mL) 10 10 10

Volume initial (mL) 50 39.3 28.8

Volume final (mL) 39.3 28.8 18.2

Volume used (mL) 10.7 10.5 10.6

Average 0.9544
Concentration (M) of
NaOH

Concentration (M) of 0.0107L NaOH x 0.0105L NaOH x 0.0106L NaOH x

HCl 0.9544 mol NaOH / 0.9544 mol NaOH / 0.9544 mol NaOH /
1.0L NaOH x 1mol 1.0L NaOH x 1 mol 1.0L NaOH x 1 mol
HCl / 1 mol NaOH = HCl / 1 mol NaOH = HCl / 1 mol NaOH =
0.01021 mol HCl / 0.01002 mol HCl / 0.01012 mol HCl /
0.010L HCl = 0.010L HCl = 0.010L HCl =

1.021M 1.002M 1.012M

Average 1.012
Concentration (M)

Absolute deviation 1.021-1.012 = 0.009 1.002-1.012 = 0.010 1.012-1.012 = 0.000

Average deviation 0.0063

RAD 6.225

-Calculation for RAD of HCl:

 1.012M = (1.021 + 1.002 + 1.012) / 3

|d| = (1.012-1.021) + (1.012-1.002) + (1.012-1.012) / 3 => |d| = 0.0063

RAD = 0.0063 / 1.012 x 1000 = 6.225

Data Table 4: This data table shows the amount of HCl titrated into the unknown base and the

associated pH reading that was measured using the SPARK system.

Spark Test for HCl and unknown base

Initial pH: 12.6

mL delivered pH reading

0.5 12.50

1 12.47

1.5 12.42

2 12.39

2.5 12.25

3 12.17

3.5 12.11

4 12.05

4.5 11.98

5 11.86

5.5 11.81

6 11.72

6.5 11.69

7 11.60

7.5 11.54
 8 11.41

8.5 11.32

9 7.56

9.5 3.31

Data Table 5: This data table shows the amount of NaOH titrated into the unknown acid and the

associated pH reading that was measured using the SPARK system.

Spark Test for NaOH and unknown acid

Initial pH: 2.98

mL delivered pH reading

0.5 3.07

1 3.18

1.5 3.30

2 3.50

2.5 3.75

3 3.96

3.5 4.14

4 4.57

4.5 4.85

5 4.97

5.5 5.07

6 5.14

6.5 5.24

7 5.35

7.5 5.49
 8 6.05

8.5 7.32

9 10.96

9.5 12.36

Data Table 6: This data table shows the titration of the unknown acid using the NaOH and the

phenolphthalein indicator and the calculations to find the concentration of the unknown acid.

Unknown Acid and NaOH with 3 drops indicator (phenolphthalein)

NaOH NaOH (buret) Unknown Unknown Concentration (M)

(buret) initial final volume acid (beaker) acid (beaker) of Unknown acid
volume (mL) (mL) initial volume final volume
(mL) (mL)

Trial 1 0 13.5 50 63.5 1M NaOH x

0.0135L = 0.0135
mol NaOH x 1mol
HCl / 1 mol NaOH =
0.0135 mol
unknown acid /
0.0635L =

0.2125M

Trial 2 0 14.5 75 89.5 1M NaOH x

0.0145L = 0.0145
mol NaOH x 1 mol
HCl / 1 mol NaOH =
0.0145 mol
unknown acid /
0.0895L =

0.1620M

Data Table 7: This data table shows the titration of the unknown base using the HCl and the

phenolphthalein indicator and the calculations to find the concentration of the unknown base.
 Unknown Base and HCl with 4 drops indicator (phenolphthalein)

HCl (buret) HCl (buret) Unknown Unknown Concentration (M)

initial volume final volume base (beaker) base (beaker) of Unknown base
(mL) (mL) initial final volume
volume (mL) (mL)

Trial 1 0 10 50 60.5 1M HCl x 0.01L =

0.01 mol HCl x 1
mol NaOH / 1 mol
HCl = 0.01 mol
unknown base/
0.0605L =

0.1652M

Trial 2 0 8.50 50 59 1M HCl x

0.00850L= 0.00850
mol HCl x 1 mol
NaOH / 1 mol HCl
= 0.00850mol
unknown base/
0.059L =

0.1441M

Results (cont.): For week 1, from Data Table 1, NaOH had a pH of 11, a strong conductivity,

and an orange/yellow flame. HCl had a pH of 1, a strong conductivity, and no color flame. HNO3

had a pH of 1, a strong conductivity, and no color flame. KOH had a pH of 12, a strong

conductivity and a purple flame. CH3CO2H had a pH of 3, a weak conductivity, and no color

flame. NH4OH had a pH of 11, a weak conductivity, and a yellow flame. CH3CO2Na+ had a pH

of 7, a weak conductivity, and no color flame. NH4Cl had a pH of 6, a strong conductivity, and

no color flame. Unknown 218 had a pH of 11, a strong conductivity, and an orange/yellow

flame. Unknown 32 had a pH of 3, a weak conductivity, and no color flame.

For week 2, from Data Table 2 which was the standardization of NaOH, 2.040g KHP

were used for all 3 trials. The volume used for the 3 trials were 10.5mL, 10.5mL, and 10.4mL
respectively. Those volumes were then used to calculate the concentrations (M) of NaOH which

were 0.9514M, 0.9514M, and 0.9605M respectively, and were totaled to an averaged

concentration (M) of 0.9544M. The absolute deviations were 0.0030, 0.0030, and 0.0061, which

lead to an average deviation of 0.0040. Then the RAD was calculated, and the result was 4.1911.

From Data Table 3 which was the standardization of HCl, the volume used for the 3 trials were

10.7mL, 10.5mL, and 10.6mL. Those volumes were then used to calculate the concentrations

(M) of HCl which were 1.021M, 1.002M, and 1.012M, and were totaled to get an averaged

concentration of (M) of 1.012M. The absolute deviations were 0.009, 0.010, and 0.000, which

lead to an average deviation of 0.0063. Then the RAD was calculated, and the result was 6.225.

For week 3, from Data Table 4 with the SPARK system titration between the HCl and the

unknown base. The volume delivered was in increments of 0.5mL all the way to 9.5mL. The pH

reading for those 0.5 increments was 12.50, 12.47, 12.42, 12.39, 12.25, 12.17, 12.11, 12.05,

11.98, 11.86, 11.81, 11.72, 11.69, 11.60, 11.54, 11.41, 11.32, 7.56, and 3.31. From Data Table 5,

with the SPARK system titration between the NaOH and the unknown acid. The volume

delivered was in increments of 0.5mL all the way to 9.5mL. The pH reading for those 0.5

increments was 3.07, 3.18, 3.30, 3.50, 3.75, 3.96, 4.14, 4.57, 4.85,4.97, 5.07, 5.14, 5.24, 5.35,

5.49, 6.05, 7.32, 10.96, and 12.36. From Data Table 6, which had to do with the titration of the

unknown acid and NaOH with 3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator, the volume delivered per

trial was 13.5mL and 14.5mL respectively. Then that volume of mL delivered was used to

calculate the concentration (M) of the unknown acid, which was 0.2125M and 00.1620M

respectively. From Data Table 7, which had to do with the titration of the unknown base and HCl

with 4 drops of phenolphthalein indicator, the volume delivered per trial was 10mL and 8.50mL

respectively. Then that volume of mL delivered was used to calculate the concentration (M) of
the unknown base, which was 0.1652M and 0.1441M. Graph 1 shows the relationship between

the amount of HCl delivered and the corresponding pH of the unknown base being standardized.

Graph 2 shows the relationship between the amount of NAOH and the corresponding pH of the

unknown acid being standardized.

Graphs

Graph 1

This graph shows the

relationship between mL

of HCl delivered and pH

of the solution with the

unknown base being

standardized.

A: mL B: pH

Graph 2

This graph shows the

relationship between mL of

NaOH delivered and the pH

of the solution with the

unknown acid being standardized.

A: mL B: pH

References:

Acid Strength. (n.d.). Elmherts University. Retrieved from

http://chemistry.elmhurst.edu/vchembook/185strength.html

Ilan Timerman

CHM 1046L

Project 7 Discussion/Conclusion
Discussion

Understanding the properties of acids and bases is key in order to connect the concepts

we learn in class to the lab. Through this experiment, we tangibly worked with pH and how it

affects the way in which acids and base interact, as well as giving us a basic understanding of

titrations. There are a couple of things that might have affected the results and data that we

acquired. Contamination of the buret and bubbles are always factors that can skew the data in

any experiment involving titration. In this experiment though, several other factors could

influence the results:

- Miscalculating the amount of NaOH that is required to make 1M NaOH

- Improper functioning of the pH meter of the Spark System

- Misuse of the pH meter of the Spark System

- Miscalculating the amounts of solution in the buret

- Not calibrating the instruments

- Not following the proper procedures

- Miscalculating the amount of phenolphthalein needed

The data we got is likely accurate as we followed our TA's instructions when calculating,

measuring, calibrating, and performing the trials.

Conclusion

The goal of this experiment was to acquire data for each of the acid and base properties

and the concepts involved in measuring these. We measured the conductivity of the acids and

bases we were working with, as well as the color of each in the flame test. We connected the

concept of conductivity with electrolyte strength. The tests were used to determine the metal ion

in the unknown solutions by cross referencing the conductivity and color of these unknown
solutions with the tests we performed on the known acids and bases. We then went on to

standardize NaoH and HCl in order to use them for week 3. We calculated the concentrations

and RADs for each of the solutions while standardizing them. At the end of week 2, we

proceeded to create a 1M solution of NaOH to be used on week 3. On week three, we titrated and

standardized the unknown solutions using NaOH for the unknown acid and HCl for the unknown

base. We measured the pH and conductivity using the concepts we learned on week one,

utilizing litmus paper and the pH meter. We repeated these to get more accurate data. We also

calculated the concentration of each using the initial and final volumes of the buret and the

beakers.

Adriana Betancourt

5715767

CHM 1046L

Discussion/ Conclusion for Project : Acids and Bases

Discussion:

For the first part of this experiment, 8 different solutions plus 2 unknown solutions, were tested

for pH, conductivity, and color from the flame test. The solutions were, NaOH, HCl, HNO3,
KOH, CH3CO2H, NH4OH, CH3CO2Na+, NH4Cl, unknown 218, and unknown 32. The respective

pHs, conductivity sensor readings, and colors from the flame test are 11, strong, and

orange/yellow, 1, strong, and no color, 1, strong, and no color, 12, strong, and purple, 3, weak,

and no color, 11, weak, and yellow, 7, weak, and no color, 6, strong, and no color, 11, strong,

and orange/yellow, and 3, weak, and no color. This data helped identify unknown solution 218 as

NaOH and unknown solution 32 as CH3CO2H.

For the second part of the experiment, both the NaOH and the HCl were standardized, underwent

3 trials to find concentration (M), then were averaged and used to find the RAD for both

solutions. The concentrations for the standardization of NaOH were 0.9514M, 0.9514M, and

0.9605M, which lead to an average concentration of 0.9544M. The respective absolute

deviations for the 3 trials were 0.0030, 0.0030, and 0.0061 which lead to an average deviation of

0.0040. Those averages were then used to calculate the RAD, which was 4.1911. The

concentrations for the standardization of HCl were 1.021M, 1.002M, and 1.012M, which lead to

an average concentration of 1.012M. The respective absolute deviations for the 3 trials were

0.009, 0.010, and 0.00, which lead to an average deviation of 0.0063. Those averages were then

used to calculate the RAD, which was 6.225.

For the third part of the experiment, with the SPARK system titration between the HCl and the

unknown base. The volume delivered was in increments of 0.5mL all the way to 9.5mL. The pH

reading for those 0.5 increments was 12.50, 12.47, 12.42, 12.39, 12.25, 12.17, 12.11, 12.05,

11.98, 11.86, 11.81, 11.72, 11.69, 11.60, 11.54, 11.41, 11.32, 7.56, and 3.31. From Data Table 5,

with the SPARK system titration between the NaOH and the unknown acid. The volume

delivered was in increments of 0.5mL all the way to 9.5mL. The pH reading for those 0.5

increments was 3.07, 3.18, 3.30, 3.50, 3.75, 3.96, 4.14, 4.57, 4.85,4.97, 5.07, 5.14, 5.24, 5.35,
5.49, 6.05, 7.32, 10.96, and 12.36. The titration of the unknown acid and NaOH with 3 drops of

phenolphthalein indicator had 13.5mL and 14.5mL delivered respectively per trial. Then that

volume of mL delivered was used to calculate the concentration (M) of the unknown acid, which

was 0.2125M and 00.1620M respectively. The titration of the unknown base and HCl with 4

drops of phenolphthalein indicator had 10mL and 8.50mL delivered respectively per trial. Then

that volume of mL delivered was used to calculate the concentration (M) of the unknown base,

which was 0.1652M and 0.1441M.

Some possible errors for this experiment could include human calculation error. Another error

could be the contamination of beakers, which would lead to either a more acidic or basic

solution. Another error could have been the titration methods used for the many different

components of the experiment, either with the titration of the unknown acid and unknown base

from the second or third week. Some possible applications of this experiment could be an

organization like the CDC (Center for Disease Control) could use the process of titrations that

were performed in this lab to identify whether materials are either acidic or basic and to find the

proper disposal methods for those substances. The experiment mostly worked as it was supposed

to, though the titrations were difficult, especially with the lack of materials and faultiness of the

materials presented.

Conclusion:

The purposes and goals of this experiment were met. The identity of different

acidic and basic solutions were found using different methods, those solutions were standardized,

and then their concentrations were found using the data collected. The main results collected

from this experiment were that the concentrations for the standardization of NaOH were

0.9514M, 0.9514M and 0.9605M which averaged to 0.9544M and that was used to find the
RAD, which was 4.1911. The concentrations for the standardization of HCl were 1.021M,

1.002M, and 1.012M, which averaged to 1.012M and that was used to find the RAD, which was

6.225. For the titration between the unknown acid and NaOH, the calculated concentration of the

unknown acid was 0.2125M for trial 1 and 0.1620M for trial 2. For the titration between the

unknown base and HCl, the calculated concentration of the unknown base was 0.1652M for trial

1 and 0.1441M for trial 2. The overall goal of the experiment was to identify the concentrations

of the unknown solutions, which were found through the experiments performed over the period

of the 3 weeks.