Volumetric analysis

Aim : The volume of acid needed to neutralise an alkali

increases if the volume of alkali is increased.
Equipment
safety glasses
burette with stand fitted with boss and clamp
5 pipettes of measurement : 5 cm3, 10 cm3, 15 cm3, 20 cm3
and 25 cm3
safety pipette filler
250 cm3 conical flask
two beakers
filter funnel
white tile
Sodium hydroxide solutions of concentration 1.00 mol/dm 3
Sulphuric acid of concentration 0.05 mol/dm3
Phenolphthalein indicator
Method
1. Using a 5 cm3 pipette add 10 cm3 of sodium hydroxide
solution into a conical flask.
2. Add 2-3 drops of the phenolphthalein indicator to it. It
will turn pink.
3. Fill the burette and its tip with sulphuric acid.
4. Position the conical flask below the burette and run the
acid slowly into the sodium hydroxide solution in the flask
with constant swirling.
5. Continue to add acid until the colour of the solution in
the conical flask changes from pink to colourless. Read the
burette and record the volume of sulphuric acid used in
results table.
6. Wash the conical flask and repeat steps 1-5 using 10
cm3, 15 cm3, 20 cm3 and 25 cm3 of sodium hydroxide
solution.
Volume of NaOH
Volume of HCl
3
solution / cm
used / cm3
5

10
15
20
25
Safety
Safety glasses must be worn at all times because the
sodium hydroxide is corrosive and Sulphuric acid is
irritant.
If any of the reactants are spilled onto your hands you
must wash them immediately.