Daniel Crockett Group 2, Cupboard 28

04/11/2015 EXPERIMENT 2 - INVESTIGATION OF ACID-BASE TITRATIONS

OBJECT Compare the curve of pH against titre volume for strong and weak electrolytes. Also assess
which indicator should be used for a weak electrolyte titration by experimentation.
THEORY A potentiometer calculates, by electrical conductivity, the hydrogen ion concentration. We
use this to track the pH of the solution against the volume of acidic titrant added to the alkaline titrand.
PROCEDURE
Add 25ccm of alkaline titrand to beaker, on top of magnetic stirrer platform. Position potentiometer
under the surface of the liquid. Place coated ferrous stirrer in the beaker. Ensure the arc of the
spinning stirrer does not breach the delicate potentiometer. Activate magnetic stirrer and turn on
potentiometer. Titrate the titrand slowly with the titrant. Record data (pH versus volume of titrant
added) at appropriate intervals so that a nice curve can be achieved when the data is plotted on an
XY graph. Carry out these steps for both the titration of 0.1M NaOH with 0.1M HCl, and the titration of
0.1M NaOH with 0.1M ethanoic acid.
Then fill beaker with 25ccm of 0.1M of NaOH. Do not use the Potentiometer this time, instead
add a drop of indicator solution. Titrate with 25ccm of 0.1M ethanoic acid. Comment on colour change
and assess suitability of the candidate indicators for this titration. Carry out this experiment using both
Methyl Red and Phenolphthalein indicators.
RESULT
HCl titrating NaOH, and Ethanoic acid titrating NaOH see graph on separate sheet. Curves plotted
on the same axes. pH against volume titrant added to 25ccm titrand (all in 0.1mol/litre concentration).
The indicator Methyl Red did not change colour. The equivalence point of Ethanoic acid and
NaOH is greater than seven because the acid is weak and the base is strong, this is why the colour
change did not occur. The Phenolphthalein changed to red when ~24.5ccm of Ethanoic acid was
added.
>FULL TABLE OF RESULTS DOES NOT FIT ON THIS PAGE, SEE OTHER SIDE
>CURVES FOR POTENTIOMETER-TRACKED TITRATIONS IS ON A THIRD PAGE
CALCULATIONS None
CONCLUSION
The pH displayed on the potentiometer was similar for both acids titrating NaOH because they are
both monoprotic, and as such the same number of moles achieves the same effect. It is only the
dissociation constant that differs. The pH where Phenolphthalein colour changes coincides with the
equivalence point. It is the best candidate for equivalence point indication.

Volume of HCl titrant

added/ccm

Volume of Ethanoic
acid titrant
added/ccm

pH

pH

12.98

12.56

12.97

12.55

12.91

12.54

12.88

12.52

12.82

12.5

10

12.74

12.48

12

12.66

12.45

14

12.56

12.42

15

12.51

12.38

16

12.44

12.34

17

12.36

10

12.29

18

12.28

11

12.24

19

12.19

12

12.19

20

12.11

13

12.13

21

11.98

14

12.07

22

11.8

15

11.97

22.5

11.7

16

11.89

23

11.53

17

11.78

23.2

11.44

18

11.63

23.4

11.35

19

11.38

23.6

11.23

20

10.83

23.8

11.05

20.5

10.44

24

10.86

21

10

24.2

10.65

21.5

9.62

24.4

10.41

22

8.44

24.6

10.15

22.5

6.84

24.8

9.92

23

6.39

25

9.46

23.5

6.07

25.2

8.95

24

5.97

25.4

7.18

25

5.71

25.5

7.03

26

5.57

25.6

6.85

27

5.43

25.8

6.52

28

5.32

26.5

6.2

29

5.22

27

6.08

30

5.15

27.5

32

5.03

34

4.94