Experiment 5: Common Ion Effect TFAB2, Group 5, Ms.

Arlou Angeles
Ruiz, Paulo Lorenzo S. & Empig, Joy O. Date Submitted: July 16, 2010

Abstract

The common ion effect and buffer systems are both arms of Ionic Equilibria because such systems or
reactions exist in chemical equilibrium solely. The effects of having an ion in common with the dissolved
substance are determined and various factors that affect the behavior of such reactions were taken into
consideration. The new ph values were computed respectively using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation
wherein such significant changes in values were observed. Buffer systems were also identified from an array of
various chemical solutions. This was done by placing small amounts of strongly acidic and basic substances
that have an effect in the dissociation of the dissolved substance. Acid-base buffers also work through the
common ion effect and have ideal components that identify existing buffer systems. On the latter part of the
experiment, the effects of a common ion on the solubility of slightly soluble salts were determined as titration
was performed. From all these, significant changes in acidity of solutions and solubility were identified.

Keywords: pH meter, solubility, Le Chatelier’s Principle, buffer system, ionization

Introduction Experimental
A. Effect of Ionization on Acids and Bases
The shift in equilibrium caused by the At the first part of the experiment, the pH of
addition of a compound having an ion in common the following solutions were determined using the
with the dissolved substance is called the common pH meter. A typical pH meter consists of a special
ion effect. When two solutes that contain the same measuring probe (a glass electrode) connected to
ion or the common ion are dissolved in the same an electronic meter that measures and displays the
solution, the presence of the common ion pH reading. The pH probe measures pH as the
suppresses the ionization of the weak acid or the activity of hydrogen ions surrounding a thin-walled
weak base. The presence of its conjugate base glass bulb at its tip. The probe produces a small
represses the ionization extent of a weak acid while voltage (about 0.06 volt per pH unit) that is
the presence of its conjugate acid suppresses the measured and displayed as pH units by the meter.
ionization of the weak base.
This presence of the common ion produced Table 1.1 Determination of pH of the following reagents
from the complete ionization of the main solute
REAGENTS
causes an equilibrium shift to the left thus, an
10 ml 0.1 M HCl + 2 ml O
example of Le Chatelier’s Principle. The
suppression of the ionization of the main solute 10 ml 0.1 M HCl + 2 ml 0.1 M NaCl
leads to the decrease in concentration of hydronium
) ions respectively. Hence, a solution which 10 ml 0.1 M HOAc + 2 ml O
contains both the main solute and another solute
with a common ion is less acidic than a solution 10 ml 0.1 M HOAc + 2 ml 0.1 M NaOAc
which contains solely the main solute in an aqueous
solution. 10 ml 0.1 M NaOH + 2 ml O
A solution of a weak acid or base and its
10 ml 0.1 NaOH + 2 ml 0.1 M NaCl
salt and which has the ability to resist changes in
pH upon the addition of small amounts of acid or
base is called a buffer solution. For the buffer An image of a pH meter:
solution to function effectively, it must contain
comparable amounts of acid and its conjugate
base. A buffer can function effectively over a limited
pH range. This pH range is called the buffer range.
In order for a system to be called a buffer system,
both must be present: a weak acid + its conjugate
base or a weak base + its conjugate acid. The
acidic species neutralize the hydroxide ) ions
from the added base while the basic species
neutralize the hydronium ) ions from the
added acid.

Chemistry 18.1. Common Ion Effect

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B. Buffering Effect The results for the pH of the original solution and
The pH of distilled water was determined the pH after the addition of HCl and NaOH to each
using the pH meter. 10 ml of this distilled water was part are shown on the table below.
placed in a 50 ml beaker and 1 drop of 6 M HCl was
added. The pH of the resulting mixture was also Table 2.2 pH levels as measured from the following reagents
determined. (Buffering Effect)
10 ml water and a drop of 6 M NaOH was Solution pH of pH after pH after
mixed in a 50 ml beaker. The pH of the mixture was original HCl NaOH
again taken using a pH meter. solution addition addition
A 4.81 4.94 4.90
The following solutions were prepared. Each B 1.16 1.43 1.45
solution was divided into two equal parts. A drop of C 1.18 1.37 1.83
6 M HCl was added to one part and a drop of 6 M D 7.32 7.15 7.20
NaOH was added to another part. The pH was E 8.89 8.68 8.65
measured for each part.

Table 1.2 Determination of pH of following reagents (Buffering
Effect)
A 10 ml 0.5 M HOAc + 10 ml 0.5 M NaOAc
B 10 ml 0.5 M HCl + 10 ml 0.5 M NaCl
C 10 ml 0.5 M HN + 10 ml 0.5 M NaN
D 10 ml 0.5 M + 10 ml 0.5 M
E 10 ml 0.5 M + 10 ml 0.5 M N
The solutions which exhibited buffer action
were determined.
C. Effect of Common Ion on the Solubility of
slightly Soluble Salts
The mixture of 50 ml distilled water and 0.5 g
sodium benzoate was heated to about 40 ̊C in a
100 ml beaker. Benzoic acid crystals were added
from time to time, stirring after each addition, until
the crystals no longer dissolve. The mixture was
cooled to room temperature with constant stirring
and was filtered. The filtrate was collected in a
clean beaker. 10 ml of the filtrate was placed into a
50 ml Erlenmeyer flask using a pipet. 2 drops of
phenolphthalein were added. The solution was
titrated using 0.01 M NaOH to a light-pink end-
point.
Results:
A. Effect of Ionization on Acids and Bases
Results in the first part of the experiment can be
summarized in the table below.
Table 2.1 pH levels as measured from the following reagents
REAGENTS
10 ml 0.1 M HCl + 2 ml O
10 ml 0.1 M HCl + 2 ml 0.1 M NaCl
10 ml 0.1 M HOAc + 2 ml O
10 ml 0.1 M HOAc + 2 ml 0.1 M NaOAc
10 ml 0.1 M NaOH + 2 ml O
10 ml 0.1 NaOH + 2 ml 0.1 M NaCl
B. Buffering Effect
C. Effect of Common Ion on the Solubility of
slightly Soluble Salts
Table 2.3 Values calculated indicating the solubility (in
mols/liter) of benzoic acid
Volume of NaOH 30 ml
Solubility of benzoic acid in water 0.0413 M
(obtained from previous experiment)
Solubility of benzoic acid in sodium 0.042 M
benzoate solution
Discussion:
A. Effect of Ionization on Acids and Bases
As stated earlier, the common ion effect is
the shift in equilibrium that occurs when an ion
already present in the equilibrium reaction is added.
The common ion effect deals with the outcomes
pertaining to a solution containing not only a weak
acid but also a soluble salt of that acid.
The first combination of reagents wherein
common ion effect is observed is the solution of 10
ml 0.1 M HCl + 2 ml O and 10 ml 0.1 M HCl + 2
ml 0.1 M NaCl. The first solution (10 ml 0.1 M HCl +
2 ml O) serves as the control set-up and as a
basis if a change could be observed when a
common ion is added to the acid.
Given the reaction:
HCl + O +
NaCl
Acids and bases can be separated into two
pH large groups namely: weak acid or base and strong
1.54 acid or base. Weak acids or bases do not
1.54 dissociate completely and can be associated to an
3.04 equilibrium system once subjected to a chemical
4.28 reaction. Strong acids and bases dissociate
12.37 completely and goes into completion once involved
12.34 in a chemical reaction. HCl is a strong acid and
dissociates completely in the solution. Its degree of

Chemistry 18.1. Common Ion Effect

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ionization is not affected even if a common ion ( Let x = ] at HOAc
is present to suppress its acidity. Consequently, the equilibrium
concentration of ions in the solution is not Initial conc. [M] 0.1 M 0M 0M
affected and more of those ions are present in the Change in conc. -x +x +x
solution compared to solutions of weak acids or Equilibrium conc. [M] 0.1M - x
bases. As a result, its acidity which is 1.54 remains
unchanged even if the reaction is subjected to
changes denoted by the presence of the common Ka = = =1.8 x
ion.
The next reaction now involves a weak acid Since HOAc is a weak acid, the
(HoAc) that is sensitive to changes brought about concentration of the ionized acid is very small
by the addition of a common ion. compared with the initial concentration and the
quantity (0.1M – x) can be rounded off to 0.1.
HOAc + +
1.8 x
NaOAc

The parts of the equations involve HoAc = 1.8 x

(weak acid), (amphoretic, very weak acid or
base), (neither acidic or basic, spectator ion), x = 1.34 x
and (conjugate base of weak acid).
Weak acids, as indicated, do not dissociate pH = -log = 2.87
completely in the solution. The presence of the pH = 2.87
ion produced from the complete ionization of
NaOAc causes the HoAc equilibrium to shift to the Consider:
left. This suppresses the ionization of HoAc and HOAc + +
decreases the concentration of ions in
solution. Hence, a solution which contains both Using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation:
NaOAc and HoAc is less acidic than one which
contains HoAc only. pH = pKa + log

Given the HOAc equilibrium equation: Finding pKa:

pKa = -log (Ka)
HOAc + + pKa = -log (1.8 x
pKa = 4.74
From:
Ka = pH = 4.74 + log
pH = 4.74
= Ka x
Note: The partial ionization of the weak acid, HOAc
proceeds only to a small extent since Ka is small.
log = logKa + log Therefore, ≈ = 0.1 M
The complete ionization of the salt,
-log = -logKa + log NaOAc
Produces: = [NaOAc] = 0.1 M
We have:
pH = pKa + log The pH value now is relatively higher considering
the effect of the common ion. In this case, acidity
The equation is called the Henderson- decreases. As actual results show, from 3.04 to
Hasselbach equation. It can be expressed in more 4.28.
general form:
The last reaction:
pH = pKa + log
NaOH + + + heat

From the experiment, we are given: 0.1 M aqueous NaCl

solution of HOAc (Ka =1.8 x ); also with 0.1 M
NaOAc. No change should have occurred since NaOH is a
strong acid and dissociates completely in the

Chemistry 18.1. Common Ion Effect

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solution. Its basicity / degree of ionization is not
affected by the addition of a salt or a common ion
such as for this case.
B. Buffering Effect
Buffers have the ability to resist changes in
pH upon addition of small amounts of acids and
bases because they contain both acidic and basic
species. This condition is satisfied by the presence
of a conjugate acid-base pair system.
The solution of HOAc and NaOAc is a
buffer solution. HOAc is the acidic species while
ion from NaOAc is the basic species. The
acidic species neutralize the ions from the
added base while the basic species neutralize the
ions from the added acid.
If an acid is added to the buffer solution, the
reaction
HOAc +
occurs. The pH of the solution does not decrease
appreciably because the ions from the added
acid are neutralized by ions.
If a base is added to the buffer solution, the
reaction
+ HOAc + strong bases are added to the buffered solution, the
takes place. The pH of the solution does not
increase appreciably because the ions from
the added base are neutralized by HOAc.
The second solution is not a buffer system
since a strong acid, HCl is present. The same
applies to the third solution which is , a strong
acid also. Strong acids and bases will react
together to produce a neutral salt. For example, HCl
and NaOH will react together to from and
NaCl (salt). The salt is neutral (aqueous solutions).
Weak acids and bases do not ionize completely.
They will only be ionized if something forces it to be
ionized which is a strong acid or base. A buffer
must only contain something that is only weakly
reactive, and can react further when the need is
present. A strong acid or base will totally react, so
there is nothing left to do any buffering.
The next solution is a buffer solution. The
acidic species is while its conjugate base is
. The acidic species neutralize the ions
from the added base while the basic species
neutralize the ions from the added acid.
The last solution is also a buffer system. This
buffer solution is composed of its weak base, (
OH) and its salt ( ).
Chemistry 18.1. Common Ion Effect
Given the following reaction:
HX⇔H+ + X-
where Ka = [H+][X-]
____________
[HX]
For this reaction, the pH depends on the
acid dissociation constant and the ratio of the
concentrations of the conjugate acid-base pair.
As a summary in general, Upon addition of
H+, X- ions are consumed and the concentration of
HX increases slightly. On the other hand, adding
OH- ions to the buffer will cause the HX to
dissociate more and form X- and water, thus the
concentration of X- is increased.
As long as the amounts of HX and X- in the
buffer are larger compared to the amount of OH- or
H+ added, the ratio [HX]/[X-] does not change that
much.
Consequently, it can be observed that
when the concentration of HX and X- ions are equal
the pH becomes equal to the pKa of the solution.
Thus buffers whose acid form has a pKa that is
close to the desired pH is often used.
When strong acids are added to the buffer
solution, the strong acid will react and be
neutralized by the base present in the buffer. When
strong base will react and be neutralized with the
weak acid present in the buffer.
C. Effect of Common Ion on the Solubility of
slightly Soluble Salts.
The solubility of a substance (in this case a
salt) is affected not only by temperature but also by
the presence of other solutes. Solubility of ionic
compounds is affected by the following factors:
presence of common ions, presence of uncommon
ions, pH of the solution and presence of complexing
agents. But in this part, we will be focusing on the
first.
The presence of C6H5COO- in the solution
theoretically reduces the solubility of C6H5COOH,
shifting the solubility equilibrium to the left. This
reduction in solubility is also due to the common ion
effect. Generally speaking, the presence of a
second solute that gives a common ion decreases
the solubilty of a slightly soluble salt.
=
= 0.042 M
Conclusion and Recommendations:
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 To summarize the effects of the common
ion: The presence of a common ion suppresses the
ionization of a weak acid or a weak base. When
adding common cations, the concentration of the
salt increases slightly because the anions are
consumed, consequently when you add common
anions to the buffer solution will cause the salt to
dissociate more and thus the concentration of the
anion increases. Addition of common ions
decreases the solubility of slighlty soluble salts.
The experimental values we got for part B
were very inconsistent in the sense that it was not
able to show us what solutions were the buffers and
the ones that are not. Therefore, we recommend
avoiding the following: contamination of reagent
bottles, whether it may be seen clearly or not.
deviating from the procedure written in the lab
manual, specially the measurements and the
equipment needed to measure the amounts.

References:

 Chang, R. Chemistry, 5th Ed. 2000

 Silberberg, M.S. Chemistry. 4th Ed. New

York: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. 2006.

 pH calculator
http://www.sensorex.com/support/education
/pH_calculator.html

 http://www.anaes.med.usyd.edu.au/lectures
/acidbase_mjb/control.html

 http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?
topic=18309.0

I herby certify that that I have given substantial

contribution to this report.

___________________________________
Ruiz, Paulo Lorenzo S.

___________________________________
Empig, Joy O.

Chemistry 18.1. Common Ion Effect

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