Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chemistry Project
Chemistry Project
A gardener noticed that his crops were susceptible to root disease, stunted growth and discolored
leaves, which were all effects of calcium deficiency. He decided to add egg shells to the soil to
reduce this problem. However, he was indecisive when choosing the egg shells because he
wanted to select the appropriate egg shell to supply the plants with maximum calcium for better
growth. His grandmother told him brown egg shell contains a larger amount of calcium
carbonate than white egg, while his brother told him both contains the same amount of calcium
carbonate. Plan and design an experiment to investigate the calcium carbonate percentage in
Hypothesis
Brown egg shells have a higher percentage of calcium carbonate than white egg shells. And will
Aim: To determine whether brown egg shell has a higher percentage of calcium carbonate than
Page | 2
Background Information
Calcium carbonate, more commonly known as calcitic lime or garden lime, has long been a
staple in garden, field, and lawn management. There are four major benefits of adding calcium
carbonate to the soil. These include: correcting soil pH, increasing the efficacy of other nutrients,
Calcium carbonate is an excellent product for raising the pH of soil. Most plants do best in soils
with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 (Maximum Yield, 2019). Calcium carbonate can be broadcast
over and incorporated into soils in need of a dose of alkalinity. Also, calcium carbonate is a great
source of calcium (Ca). Calcium is an important nutrient that strengthens a plant’s cellular walls
and is vital in new cell development. Also, one of the many unseen benefits of using calcium
carbonate, as it relates to its ability to adjust soil pH, is its role in making nutrients available to
plants. All of the nutrients that a plant needs may be present in a soil, but they may be
unavailable to plants (Nutrient Lockout, 2010). If the pH is not conducive for the plant to easily
“grab a hold” of then majority of nutrients that a plant needs are most available to plants at the
In order to investigate the concentration of calcium carbonate in egg shells, a back titration is
mandatory to conduct. Back titration is a quantitative chemical analysis where the concentration
of an analyte is determined by reacting the egg shell with 50ml of 1.0 moldm-3 volume of
Hydrochloric acid. The solution is then made up in a 250 ml volumetric flask and then portions
of 20 ml of the made of solution is titrated against 0.1 moldm-3 of Sodium Hydroxide. In this
Page | 3
o Determination of the end point; the student conducting the experiment may be uncertain
about the colour change when the reaction is completely neutralized. Thus affecting the
o The presence impurities in the egg shells. These may be reactive species, which may
Page | 4
Variables
Controlled Variable
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Page | 5
Apparatus
o Funnel [1]
o Beaker [3]
o Pipette [3]
o Dropper [3]
o Burette [2]
Reagents
o Phenolphthalein
Materials
o Tissue
Page | 6
burette: containing
the sodium hydroxide
retord stand
stop cock
conical flask
containing the titre.
THE DIAGRAM ABOVE SHOWS THE APPARATUS SETUP THAT WILL BE USED
Page | 7
Methodology
4. Peel the eggs and ensure to obtain the shell without the membrane.
9. Add the weighed egg shell to the acid and heat it gently.
10.After effervescence stops, transfer the solution to a 250ml volumetric flask and make up to
the mark with distilled water.
11.Pipette 20 ml of the solution into four conical flasks labeling rough, trial 1, 2 and 3.
13.Fill a beaker with about 100 mL of 0.100 M sodium hydroxide. Using a funnel, add the
solution to a clean burette to rinse it. Empty the burette into the sink. Fill the burette with the
sodium hydroxide solution just above the top mark. Run some solution out to remove and
14.Titrate the NaOH against the rough, while swirling the conical flask.
15.At the sight of the persistent pink color add the remaining NaOH dropwise until the colour
remains for at least 30 sec.
Page | 8
16. Read and record the final volume to ±0.01 mL.
Page | 9
Expected Results
Table 1
READINGS ROUGH
[cm3] 1 2 3
INITIAL READING a B c d
FINAL READING b C d e
THE TABLE ABOVE SHOWS THE EXPECTED INITIAL READING, FINAL READING AND VOLUME OF TITRE FOR
THE ROUGH, TRIALS 1,2 AND 3 WHEN THE SODIUM HYDROXIDE WILL BE TIRTRATED AGAINST THE WHITE
EGG SHELL.
Page | 10
Expected Calculations:
= Vmol X100g = Wg
The percentage of CaCO3 in eggshell (white) = Mass of CaCO3/ mass of shells * 100
= (W/1.0g * 100)
=XCaCO3
Page | 11
Table 2
Brown Egg Shell
READINGS ROUGH
[cm3] 1 2 3
INITIAL READING F G h i
FINAL READING G H i j
THE TABLE ABOVE SHOWS THE INITIAL READING, FINAL READING AND VOLUME OF TITRE FOR THE ROUGH,
TRIALS 1,2 AND 3 WHEN THE SODIUM HYDROXIDE WILL BE TITRATED AGAINST THE BROWN EGG SHELL.
For the calculations, the steps above will be repeated using the values for the brown egg shell.
Page | 12
Interpretation of Expected Results
This experiment will deem useful in the determination of the Calcium Carbonate concentration in the
two egg samples, since they’re poorly water soluble. Hence, the acid will be reacted in excess. Also,
CaCO3 is weak base, so the determination of the endpoint using direct titration will be difficult.
When NaOH will be added to the solution, that has the acid in excess, a colour changed from colourless
to pink will be observed. This will indicate that all the excess HCl had reacted with the NaOH and the
solution was a bit alkaline, accounting for the slight pink colour change.
The more NaOH that will be used to react with the HCl and CaCO3 mixture, the less CaCO3 will be
The hypothesis will be proven accurate if the brown egg shell solution requires a smaller volume of
NaOH than the white egg shell solution to neutralize the reaction completely. Otherwise, if the brown egg
shell solution requires a larger volume of NaOH than the white egg shell solution, the hypothesis will be
proven inaccurate.
Page | 13
Sources of Error
o The burette being slanted will result in incorrect volume readings being taken, which will
lead to inaccurate results.
o The apparatus not being dried before using will alter the concentration of the reagents
leading to inaccuracy.
o Uncertainty of the endpoint will result in acid being added even when the reaction will be
completely neutralized leading to inaccurate results.
o The egg membrane not being completely removed will lead to inaccurate results since it
will react with the acid.
Limitation
o The sensitivity of the scale leading to inaccurate mass of egg shell being weighed.
o The size of the last few drops of NaOH added from the burette when the end point will be
near, exceeding the endpoint.
o The presence of reactive impurities in the egg shell samples, will contribute to inaccurate
results.
Page | 14
Precautions
o Ensure the volume of distilled water that will be added to the volumetric flask doesn’t
exceed the 250 mark when making up the solution as it will contribute to inaccuracy.
o Ensure the burette is upright when the volume readings will be recorded, since inaccurate
volume readings will contribute to inaccuracy.
o Ensure all meniscus are read at EYE LEVEL to reduce parallax error.
o Ensure to rinse all apparatus with distilled water followed by the substance it will be
measuring to avoid contamination.
o Ensure to remove the membrane from the egg shell completely, since it will react with
Assumption
It will be assumed that calcium carbonate will be the only specie that will react with the Hydrochloric
Conclusion
It will be concluded that the hypothesis is proven accurate. That is the brown egg shell has a
higher percentage of calcium carbonate and it will provide the plant with the maximum supply of
Page | 15
Page | 16
Title: Back Titration
Aim: To determine whether brown egg shell has a higher percentage of calcium carbonate than
Theory
Calcium carbonate, more commonly known as calcitic lime or garden lime, has long been a
staple in garden, field, and lawn management. There are four major benefits of adding calcium
carbonate to the soil. These include: correcting soil pH, increasing the efficacy of other nutrients,
In order to investigate the concentration of calcium carbonate in egg shells, a back titration is
mandatory to conduct. Back titration is a quantitative chemical analysis where the concentration
of an analyte is determined by reacting the egg shell with 50ml of 1.0 moldm-3 volume of
Hydrochloric acid. The solution is then made up in a 250 ml volumetric flask and then portions
of 20 ml of the made of solution is titrated against 0.1 moldm-3 of Sodium Hydroxide. In this
o Determination of the end point; the student conducting the experiment may be uncertain
about the colour change when the reaction is completely neutralized. Thus affecting the
o The presence impurities in the egg shells. These may be reactive species, which may
Page | 17
Apparatus
o Funnel [1]
o Beaker [3]
o Pipette [3]
o Dropper [3]
o Burette [2]
Reagents
o Phenolphthalein
Materials
Page | 18
burette: containing
the sodium hydroxide
retord stand
stop cock
conical flask
containing the titre.
Page | 19
Method
4. The eggs were then peeled, and it was ensured to obtain the shell without the membrane.
6. The brown egg shell was then pounded with a mortar in a pestle.
8. 50ml of 1.0 moldm-3 hydrochloric acid was measures and transferred into a beaker.
9. The weighed egg shell was added to the acid and heated gently.
10.After effervescence stopped, the solution was transferred to a 250ml volumetric flask and
made up to the mark with distilled water.
11. Then 20 ml of the solution was pipetted into four conical flasks labeling rough, trial 1, 2
and 3.
13. A beaker was filled with about 100 mL of 0.100 M sodium hydroxide. A funnel was
used to add the solution to a clean burette to rinse it. The burette was emptied into the
sink and it was filled with the sodium hydroxide solution just above the top mark and the
14. The NaOH was titrated against the rough, while swirling the conical flask.
Page | 20
15.At the sight of the persistent pink color the remaining NaOH was added dropwise (or by
half drops) until the colour remained for at least 30 sec.
Page | 21
Results
Table 3
READINGS ROUGH
[cm3] 1 2 3
FINAL READING
29.7 29.3 29.3 29.2
VOLUME OF TITRE
29.7 29.3 29.3 29.2
THE TABLE ABOVE SHOWS THE INITIAL READING, FINAL READING AND VOLUME OF TITRE FOR THE ROUGH,
TRIALS 1,2 AND 3 WHEN THE SODIUM HYDROXIDE WAS TITRATED AGAINST THE WHITE EGG SHELL.
Page | 22
Calculations:
The percentage of CaCO3 in eggshell (white) = Mass of CaCO3/ mass of shells * 100
= (0.66875/1.0g * 100)
=67 CaCO3 %
Page | 23
Table 4
Brown Egg Shell
BURETTE VOLUME TRIALS
READINGS ROUGH
[cm3] 1 2 3
FINAL READING
29.9 29.0 29.0 28.9
VOLUME OF TITRE
29.9 29.0 29.0 28.9
THE TABLE ABOVE SHOWS THE INITIAL READING, FINAL READING AND VOLUME OF TITRE FOR THE ROUGH,
TRIALS 1,2 AND 3 WHEN THE SODIUM HYDROXIDE WAS TITRATED AGAINST THE BROWN EGG SHELL.
Page | 24
Calculations:
The percentage of CaCO3 in eggshell (white) = Mass of CaCO3/ mass of shells * 100
Page | 25
Discussion
The aim of this experiment conducted was to determine the percentage of calcium carbonate in egg
shells. For this, back titration was deemed useful since egg shells are poorly water soluble. Also, the
calcium carbonate present is a weak base, which would make the determination of the endpoint very
Firstly, the egg shell was dissolved in excess HCl. Then the solution was diluted and 25cm3 of the made-
up solution was titrated against 0.1 moldm-3 NaOH. A colour changed from colourless to pink was
observed. This indicated that all the excess HCl had reacted with the NaOH and the solution was a bit
Based on the calculations, the number of moles of HCl in the 20cm3 of acid used was calculated
to be 0.00293 mol in the white egg shell and 0.00289 mol for the brown egg shells. The average
volume of NaOH was calculated to be 28.97 cm3 (0.02897 dm3) for the brown egg shell and 29.3
cm3 (0.0293 dm3) for the white egg shells. The average volume of NaOH was substituted into the
NaOH, 0.00293 mol for the white egg shell and 0.002897 mol for the brown egg shell. The
number of mol of HCl that reacted with the NaOH in the titration was found to be 0.00293mol
for the white egg shell and 0.002897mol for the brown egg shell using the mole ratio.
The number of moles of HCl that reacted with CaCO3 in each egg shell was found by subtracting
the number of moles of HCl that reacted with the NaOH from the total number of moles of HCl
in 20cm3. It was found to be 0.013375 mol for the white egg shell and 0.0137875 mol for the
brown egg shell. This was found by using the mole ratio between HCl and CaCO3. The mass of
CaCO3 in each egg shell was then calculated using the formula; mass = molar mass * number of
Page | 26
moles, in which the mass of CaCO3 in white egg shell was found to be 0.66875g and 0.689375g
for the brown egg shell. From the calculations, it was observed that the more NaOH used to react
with the HCl and CaCO3 mixture, the less CaCO3 was present in the egg shells.
Overall, the results of the experiment were precise and accurate. Multiple trials were performed,
so precision was enhanced. The percent mass of CaCO3 in the white egg was found to be 66.9
%CaCO3 and for the brown egg shell it was 68.9% CaCO3.
Page | 27
Sources of Error
o The burette was slanted when the volume readings were taken. Hence, inaccurate burette
which contributed to the inaccurate results.
o The apparatus was not dried before using, which altered the concentration of the reagents,
contributing to inaccuracy.
o Uncertainty of the endpoint, this resulted in the acid being added even when the reaction
was completely neutralized leading to in accurate results.
o The membrane was not fully removed from the egg shell. This reacted with the acid,
leading to altered results.
o The egg shell didn’t completely react with the HCL because it was not crushed finely,
which resulted in inaccurate results.
Limitation
o The sensitivity of the scale leading to inaccurate mass of egg shell that was weighed.
o The size of the last few drops of NaOH added from the burette when the end point was
near exceeding the endpoint.
o The presences reactive impurities in the egg shell samples contributed to the overall
percentage being a bit off.
Page | 28
Precautions
o Caution was taken when the distilled water was added to the volumetric flask, so that the
water didn’t exceed the 250 mark when the solution was made up.
o All meniscus was read at EYE LEVEL, in order to reduce parallax error.
o All apparatus was rinsed with distilled water followed by the substance it measures to
avoid contamination.
Page | 29
Reflection
This experiment is beneficial to the researchers since knowledge was gained on how to use the
various apparatus and how to conduct a back titration. After the completion of this project, the
researchers noted that the white egg shell contained 67 percentage of CaCO3, while the brown
egg shell contained 69 percentage of CaCO3. This was a difference of two percent. However,
the researchers was expecting a higher CaCO3 content for each egg shell. Since previous
researchers stated the composition of egg shells are approximately 90-95 percentage of CaCO3
and the remaining 5 percentage being magnesium, phosphorous iron, etc. This huge difference of
the CaCO3 can be accounted by laboratory misconducts, not removing the egg membrane
completely from the egg shell, and the presence of disturbances while using the scale, which
resulted in inaccurate massed being obtained. Thus, affecting the results. Also, the egg shell was
not crushed finely, in which it didn’t react completely with the acid. The researchers
recommends to leave the HCl and egg shell overnight in order to ensure that the reaction was
completed.
However, with all that being said, this experiment is also deemed useful for the society and
environment since the farmers will now be abe to choose the appropriate egg shells. That is the
brown egg shells, which has a higher calcium carbonate content. This means, the famer will be
able provide his crops with a maximum supply of calcium which will enhance the growth and
yielding of the crops and reduces the susceptibility of root diseases. Also, the farmers will be
able to get fresher looking crops at the market selling, since the appropriate egg shell will be
chosen, which reduces the discolouration of leafy crops. And in this way, they will be able to get
Page | 30
Lastly, the researcher would recommend investigating which type of egg shell has a higher iron,
magnesium and phosphate content, since this will also be useful to gardeners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it was found that brown egg shells contain 69 percentage of CaCO3 while White
Page | 31
Page | 32