Chemistry Assessment

Finding the RAM of an unknown compound H2A

Apparatus and Chemicals needed:

(assume all equipment are rinsed and cleaned with distilled water)

 Burette
 White tile-to see color change clearly
 Pipette
 Phenolphthalein indicator- (Colorless in Acid, Pink in alkaline)
 Conical flask
 1.05 g Solid acid of H2A dissolved in water to form 250 cm3
 0.100 mole/dm3 Sodium Hydroxide
 Distilled water
 Funnel
 Dropper
 Scale (to measure the acid)

Procedure

Safety:

1. Always wear lab coat and gloves when you are in the lab. When you enter the lab, switch on the exhaust
fan and make sure that all the chemicals and reagents required for the experiment are available. If they
are not available, prepare the reagents using the components for reagent preparation.
2. Properly adjust the flame of the Bunsen burner. The proper flame is a small blue cone; it is not a large
plume, nor is it orange.
3. Make sure to clean all your working apparatus with chromic acid and distilled water and ensure that all
the apparatus is free from water droplets while performing the experiment.
4. Make sure to calibrate the electronic weigh balance before taking the measurements.
5. Clean all glassware with soap and distilled water. Once the experiment is completed, recap the reagent
bottles. Switch off the light, exhaust fan and gas cylinder before leaving the lab.
6. Discard used gloves in a waste bin.

1. Fill the burette till the zero mark (at the meniscus) using a funnel and pipette.
2. Using the pipette and transfer the all the acid solution into a conical flask.
3. Add three drops of phenolphthalein to the acid using a dropper.
4. Slowly open the valve, allowing the NaOH to drip into the conical flask. Stir the conical flask
while doing this.
5. Close the valve immediately once you see a change in color. (colorless to pink).
6. Record the initial and starting value.
7. Rinse all the equipment and repeat the experiment three times.
8. Record these as well and draw a table.

Results

Here is the table of the titration:

Titration No. 1 2 3 4
Final Value: 23.6 46.90 24.30 47.65
Initial: 0 23.60 1.00 24.40
NaOH used: 23.6 23.3 23.3 23.25
Concordant: Yes Yes Yes

Mean titre: 23.3 + 23.3 + 23.25/3 =23.28 cm3.

Calculation and Analysis

The first tire value is used as a range value for setting the base titre.

H2A(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) -----> 2Na+ A2-(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Mole of NaOH: n=cv

= 23.28 x 0.100/1000
= 2.328 x 10-3

Mole of H2A:

2.328 x 10-3 /2 = 1.164 x 10-3

In 1.05 grams (250 cm3):

1.164 x 10-3 x 10 = 0.01164 moles

Molar mass= 1.05/ 0.01164 = 90.2

Therefor H2A has a molar mass of 90.2. Which means that A is the element Yttrium.

Error Analysis and Improvements

Percentage uncertainty of the burette:

0.05/23.28 x 2 x 100 = 0.43 %

Improvements:

Higher precision equipment could be used. The solid acid could be grinded before dissolving to provide
more accuracy.

Conclusion

The compound has a RAM of 90.2. This conclusion was come up after three titrations and ensuring
maximum accuracy and reliability. The experiment was repeated three times so it is reliable and valid.

The experiment was also done under safe lab conditions.

Sources

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=742643

http://www.digipac.ca/chemical/mtom/contents/chapter4/titration.htm

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1461808