EXPERIMENT 4: COMMON ION-EFFECT AND

BUFFERS
K. J. SOLTONES1 and F. J. CERCADO2
INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY 1101, PHILIPPINES

DATE SUBMITTED: 17 FEBRUARY 2016
DATE PERFORMED: 6 FEBRUARY 2016

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1.

Account for the differences in color of

Solutions 1 and 2 after adding methyl
orange indicator.

2.

Account for the differences in color of

Solutions 3 and 4 after adding
phenolphthalein indicator.

The addition of methyl orange indicator

to the solution gives off a yellow color

The pH of a solution can be identified

for alkaline solution (pH>4.5), red for

using phenolphthalein indicator. In an

acidic solutions (pH<3.1) and salmon

alkaline solution (pH>10.0) a red color

pink for pH values between 3.1 and

appears after the addition of

4.5 . In experiment 4, methyl orange

phenolphthalein indicator, colorless for

indicator was dropped to solution 1

an acidic solution (pH<8.3) and

containing 30.0 mL 0.10M CH3COOH

observed to have a very light pink color

and to solution 2 with same amounts of

when the pH of the solution will fall in

15.0 mL of 0.20M CH3COOH and 0.20 M

values between 8.3 and 10.0 [1]. In

NaCH3COO. In the first solution, a

experiment 4, phenolphthalein was

salmon pink color was observed and the

dropped to both solutions 3 and 4.

second solution turned to yellow. This

Solution 3 contained 30.0 mL 010M NH3.

indicates that the first solution is more

Solution 4 had equal amounts (15.0 mL)

acidic than the second solution, hence

and concentration (0.20M) of both NH3

the appearance of colors. When both

and NH4Cl. After the addition of the

were tested using calibrated pH meters,

indicator, a red color was observed in

the value of solution 1 was 3.3 and 4.75

solution 3 and light pink for solution 4.

for the second solution.

This indicates that solution 3 is more

[1]

basic than solution 4. The calibrated pH

3.

4. Compare the different methods of

meter reveals that solution 3 has a pH

determining pH: visual indicators,

value of 10.34 and 8.84 for solution 4.

pH meter, and calculation. Compare

Which causes a larger change in pH,

addition of 3 drops of 1.0M HCl (or 3
drops of 1.0M NaOH) to Solutions 1, 2,
3, or 4? Explain.

the accuracy of the three methods

employed.
Using visual indicators are not that
reliable to determine pH of a

The greatest change in pH values after

solution since it does not give the

the addition of three drops of NaOH

exact value of the pH but rather an

and HCl was observed on solutions 1

approximation to where the

and 3. Meanwhile, solutions 2 and 4

solutions pH lies within the

present the least change in pH.

specified range [3]. It is also the least

Solutions 2 and 4 are buffer solutions.

accurate of the three since it is solely

These solutions contain weak

acids/weak bases with their respective
conjugate acid/base. Buffers can resist

based on the judgement of the

experimenter. Using pH meter on

appreciable addition of small amounts

the other hand, accounts for the

of strong acid or strong base [2]. These

value of the pH solution and is

buffers resistant ability can be described

better than visual indicators though

using the acid-dissociating constant

it is in doubt of its accuracy.

expression (1) [2]:

Solution preparation can be one

[H + ]

[HX]
[X ]

(1)

factor affecting the accuracy of the

The concentration of H+ ions in the

pH meter since it is always subject to

solution can be calculated from the acid-

experimenter errors [3]. Also, the low

constant expression, where X- is the

accuracy of the pH meter can be

anion of the weak acid . This

seen on the results gathered from

expression shows how pH varies

the experiment. The pH value of

directly with KA and to the

solution 4a with HCl was 11.27

corresponding ratio of the weak acid to

which were a lot more basic than the

[2]

its conjugate base [2]. In return, addition

of a small amount of strong base/ acid
only causes a small change in the pH

solution (4b) added with NaOH.

Among the three, calculation is the

value of the solution. This is the concept

best way possible to come up with

of Henderson-Hasselbach equation (2)

an exact value of the pH assumed

[2]

that the reaction happening in the

:
||

= + log ( || )

(2)

solution is what truly the theory

describes it and is exclusive of
external factors like errors in
preparation and measurement [3].

Yet, the accuracy of using

calculations depends on the

REFERENCES

experimenter by considering the

exact value, formulas and methods
in the experiment [3].
5. What are the possible sources of
error and their effect on the
calculated parameters? Rationalize.
During the conduct of the
experiment, since handled manually,
it is possible that there have been
method errors that have happened
which affected the accuracy of the
concentration of each solution. This
will result to deviations on the exact
pH value that the experimenter
could get. In glassware containers
which beakers were mostly used,
can be a source of inaccuracy in
measuring of the solutions [3].
Beakers lack small grade
measurements allowing the
experimenter not to get exact
amounts of liquids [3]. Lastly, the
methods done to determine the pH
of the solution can have
uncertainties. Visual indicators are
precise but not exact [3]. The pH
meter if not calibrated properly can
have errors [3]. Even by calculating
pH values, if the experimenter
misses out important formulas or
processes to properly obtain a
theoretical pH value [3].

[1] Kiruthiga, B. Theory of Indicators. (pp. 1-3).

Retrieved from
http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/sites/default/files/dow
nloads/Theory_Of_Indicators.pdf
[2] Po, H.N., & Senozan, N.M. (2011). The
Henderson-Hasselbach Equation: Its History and
Limitations. Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, California State University, Long
Beach, CA 90840. (pp. 1499-1503). Retrieved from
http://chemistry.oregonstate.edu/courses/ch421/P
revious%20pages/Course%20Docs%20Fall%2020
06/Henderson.pdf
[3] Illingworth, J.A. (1980). A common source of
error in pH measurements. Department of
Biochemistry, University of Leeds, 9 Hyde
Terrace, Leeds LS2 9LS, U.K. (pp. 259-262).
Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1
162880/pdf/biochemj00402-0256.pdf

APPENDIX A: SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Solution1:
1A)
[HoAc]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x

I
C
E

[OH-]
0
-x
x

[Ac-]
0
+x
x

x2
(0.001 x)
x = 1.25x10^ 4 mol
1.25x104
[H +] =
= 0.012 M = .
0.010 L + 0.00001
1.8x10 5 =

1B)
[HoAc]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x

I
C
E

[OH-]
0.00015 mol
-x
0.00015-x

x2
(0.001 x)(0.00015 x)
x = 1.63x10^ 6 mol
1.63x106
[H +] =
= 1.64x104 = .
0.01015 L
1.8x10 5 =

Ka =

1C)

[CH3COOH][H+]
[CH3COOH]

pKa = = .

Solution 2:
pH=pKa + log ([base]/[acid]) , [base] = [acid]
pH= pKa + log 1
pH= pKa
pH= 4.74

[Ac-]
0
+x
x

Solution 3:
3A)
[OH-]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x

I
C
E

[H+]
0.00015 mol
-x
0.00015-x

[H20]
0
+x
x

x= 2.70x10-12 mol
[H2O]= 2.70x10-2 mol/ 0.01015 L= 2.66x10-10 M
pH= 9.58
3B)
[H+]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x

I
C
E

[OH-]
0.00015 mol
-x
0.00015-x
x= 1.35x10-12 mol

[H2O]= 2(1.35x10-12 )= 2.70x10-12 M

pH= 9.58
3C)

pOH= pKb + log ([acid]/[base]) , [acid]=[base]

pOH= pKb + log 1
pOH= pKb
pOH= 4.74
pH=14-4.74 = 9.26

Solution 4:
pOH= pKb + log ([acid]/[base]) , [acid]=[base]
pOH= pKb + log 1
pOH= pKb
pOH= 4.74
pH=14-4.74 = 9.26

[H20]
0
+2x
2x