Introduction:

Acids and bases are can be described as being weak or strong. Weak acid or base
ionize partially when react with water , while strong acid or base fully ionize with water. This
classification seems somewhat arbitrary, other more quantitative descriptors exist. For acids, Ka
values are commonly used. Ka is acids ionization constant is equilibrium constant of chemical
reaction involving weak acid in aqueous solution. The ionization of an acid can be shown by the
following equation:
HA(aq)

H+(aq) +

A-(aq)

(Eq. 1)

Since an equilibrium exists, an equilibrium constant, Ka, can be written:

Ka

[H+] [A-]
[HA]

(Eq. 2)

The Ka value is an indication of acid strength. The larger the value of the Ka the stronger
the acid. This value is characteristic of the acid and can be used to help identify an unknown
acid. A similar system exists for bases (Kb).
Titration method may be used to determine the Ka value. This method is titrate the
unknown acid with base that require the use of a pH meter. A sample of unknown acid is titrated
with base. The pH values are plotted vs. the volume of base added. The equivalence point is
determined from the graph. Next, the volume of base halfway to the equivalence point is found,
and the pH at this volume is noted. The [H+] corresponding to this pH is equal to the Ka for the
acid. At a point halfway to the equivalence point, [H+] = [HA] = [A-] for a monoprotic acid.
Canceling out [A-] and [HA] in Equation 2 gives Ka = [H+].

Aim/Objective
To determine the acid ionization constant, Ka, of a weak acid by titration with sodium hydroxide
and by measuring the pH of the weak acid.
Equipment/Materials:

pH meter

acid sample ( unknown acid)

250mL beakers

standard base solution (0.10 M NaOH)

graduated cylinder

distilled water

burrete
magnetic stirrer
hotplate

Safety:

An apron and goggles should be worn at all times in the lab.

Procedures:
Determination of Ka value of a weak acid by titration with NaOH

Approximately measured 40mL of unknown acid solution was obtained. Data was
recorded.
10.0mL of the unknown acid with 0.1M solution was added to dry 250mL beaker.
The solution was titrated with 1M of NaOH
The reaction mixture was poured into chemical waste container to avoid any split of
chemical into environment.
nd
Step 2-4 was repeated to perform 2 titration of the weak acid with 0.1M NaOH solution
The titration curve was draw
From the titration curve, the volume of NaOH required to neutralizing the weak acid
solution in each titration was determined. Data was recorded.
The Ka value for titration 1 and 2 was calculated.
The average Ka value for the weak acid was calculated.
Using the Ka value calculated in step 10; the unknown weak acid from table 1 was
identified.
The molarity of the unknown acid solution for each titration was calculated.