Colorimetric

Determinatio
n of pH
Judy Ann M. Cocadiz
Louise Joy A. Martin

Objectives of

THE EXPERIMENT VI

Objectives

Determine colorimetrically the pH of an unknown

solution.
Calculate the ionization constant of weak acid.

An Introduction

WHAT IS COLORIMETRY?

Introduction

pH levels are used to express the

concentration of H+ in an aqueous solution. These
will let us classify whether it is acidic, basic or
neutral. The pH levels can be determined either
by using pH paper, pH meter or the Colorimetric
method.

Definition of Colorimetry

Colorimetry employs the use of complex organic

dyes which change to distinctive colors through a
specific pH range of the aqueous solutions. These dyes
are called indicators.

pH Indicator

The Acid-base indicators are weak acid or

bases which can be used asa tool in colorimetry.
The indicators are halochromic (a material which
changes color when a change inpH occurs)
chemical compound that, when added in
solutions, can help detect changes in pH and
present the result visually through color change

pH Indicators
Indicator

Lower pH
color

pH range

Higher pH
color

Thymol blue

Red

1.2-2.8

Yellow

Bromophenol
blue

Yellow

3.0-4.6

Purple

Chlorophenol
red

Yellow

4.8-6.4

Violet

Bromothymo
l blue

Yellow

6.0-7.6

Blue

Phenol red

Yellow

6.8-8.4

Red

This change in color occurs in narrow ranges of

pH because of the equilibrium shift that occurred
in the reaction. Two or more pH indicators are
needed to determine the pH level of the solution.

McIlave Buffers

McIlvainebuffersystem makes use of a

citrate and a phosphate, particularly Citric acid
and , to volumetrically set for pH in a wide
range(2.2 to 8).

Ionization Constant of a Weak Acid

The ionization
With
the colorimetric
constant
determination
is the extent
of pH, to
it
is important
which
the substance
to know the
willionization
dissociateconstant
in water.
of
the weak
Since
weak
acid
acids
involved.
only partially dissociate, they
have low ionization constants.

Ionization Constant of a Weak Acid

The constant is calculated by multiplying the

concentration of the products and divide it by
the concentration of the reactant (in a aqueous
substances only).

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

The Henderson-Hasselbalch formula allows us

one method to approximate the pH of a buffer
solution. The basic equation is as follows:

Colorimetri
c

Determinati
on

of

Experiment

pH:

Procedure

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

Prepare a set of McIlave Buffers in test tubes of

uniform sizes labelled according to their
respective pH levels.

Preparation of McIlave Buffers

pH

mL
DSP

mL
CA

pH

mL
DSP

mL
CA

pH

mL
DSP

mL
CA

2.2

0.20

9.80

4.2

4.14

5.86

6.2

6.61

3.39

2.4

0.62

9.38

4.4

4.41

5.59

6.4

6.92

3.08

2.6

1.06

8.91

4.6

4.67

5.33

6.6

7.34

2.66

2.8

1.58

8.42

4.8

4.93

5.07

6.8

7.72

2.28

3.0

2.05

7,95

5.0

5.15

4.85

7.0

8.24

1.76

3.2

2.47

7.53

5.2

5.20

4.80

7.2

8.69

1.31

3.4

2.85

7.15

5.4

5.58

4.42

7.4

9.08

0.92

3.6

3.22

6.78

5.6

5.80

4.20

7.6

9.37

0.63

3.8

3.55

6.45

5.8

6.05

3.95

7.8

9.57

0.43

4.0

3.25

6.15

6.0

6.31

3.69

8.0

9.72

0.28

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

6.2

6.4

6.6

Add five drops of the appropriate indicators for

each pH level to each of thebuffer solutions.

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

Part A: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

Part B. Colorimetric Determination of pH

Thym
ol
Blue

Bromophen
ol Blue

Chlorophen
ol Red

Bromothym
ol Blue

Phenol Red

Add equal amounts of 0.01M HOAc placed in five

test tubes each labelled with the 5 indicators. Add 2
drops of proper indicator to the following solutions,
then determine pH.

Part B. Colorimetric Determination of pH

Compare each of the resulting colors to the

previously prepared buffer solutions in Part A while
limiting the comparison to those included in the pH
range of the indicatorused

Part B. Colorimetric Determination of pH

Add 2 drops of indicator to the following

solutions, then determine pH.
B. 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8mL O
C. 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 0.1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8.9mL
O
D. 0.1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8.9mL

Experimental

RESULTS

Test Tube A

Test Tube A
pH

= -log []
antilog(4.8) = [] = 1.58 M

*let x be the change in concentration

I (0.01M)
C
-x +x
E
0.01-x

0
+x

Test Tube A

= 7.60

pH of 0.01 M HOAc
[] of 0.01 M HOAc
Calculated of HOAc

4.8

Test Tube B

*let x be the change in mmoles

I
C
E

(1mL)(0.1M)
-x
+x
0.1-x
x

(1mL)(0.1M)
+x
0.1+x

Test Tube B

*since
0.1 >> x

Given that of Acetic Acid is 1.8

Test Tube C

*let x be the change in mmoles

I
(1mL)(0.1M)
(0.1M)
C
-x
+x
E
0.1-x
x

(0.1mL)
+x
0.01+x

Test Tube C

*since
0.1 >> x

Given that of Acetic Acid is 1.8

Test Tube D

*let x be the change in mmoles

I
C
E

(0.1mL)(0.1M)
-x
+x
0.01-x
x

(1mL)(0.1M)
+x
0.1+x

Test Tube D

*since
0.1 >> x

Given that of Acetic Acid is 1.8

Overall Results

Solution

pH
Observed

Calculated

A. 0.01 M HOAc

4.8

xxxxxx

B. 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M

NaOAc + 8mL O

4.8

4.74

C. 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 0.1mL 0.1 M

NaOAc + 8.9mL O

3.8

3.74

D. 0.1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1

M NaOAc + 8.9mL O

5.2
5.2

5.74
5.74

Experiment VI

DISCUSSION

Discussion: Preparation of Buffer Solutions

Appropriate indicators for certain pH ranges

must be used because there will be no color
transition in pH levels higher or lower than the
respective range of the indicator.

Overall Results

Solution

pH
Observed

Calculated

A. 0.01 M HOAc

4.8

xxxxxx

B. 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M

NaOAc + 8mL O

4.8

4.74

C. 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 0.1mL 0.1

M NaOAc + 8.9mL O

3.8

3.74

D. 0.1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1

M NaOAc + 8.9mL O

5.2
5.2

5.74
5.74

Discussion:

From this equation, it can be said that

NaOAc is a strong electrolyte and HOAc is
weak electrolyte. Both electrolyte, after
undergoing dissociation produces a common
ionThus, a common ion effect occurs in the
solution.

Discussion:

The presence of additional ions causes the

ionization of HOAc to be suppressed because
the position of equilibrium shifts away from
forming more of products (reverse reaction).
The said phenomena is based upon the Le
Chateliers Principle of chemical equilibrium.

Discussion:

The system consumes theadditional by

forming more HOAc. This means a backward
reaction and thus the reduction of and an
decrease in the level of acidity of
thesolution. The solution therefore becomes
less acidic upon the addition of a common
ion.

Discussion:
This

explains why the results from the

buffer solutions B to D, it can be inferred
that as increases, the pH level also increases
and the solution becomes less acidic.
Solution D is the least acidic because it
has the in the mixture while solution. C is
the most acidic because it has the in the
mixture.

Sources:

http://
chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Acids_and_Bases/Buffers/Hende
rson-Hasselbalch_Approximation
http://www.carlos-arano.com.ar/pHing.html
http://www.anaesthesiamcq.com/AcidBaseBook/ab1_4.php

Thank you :D