The Nature of Acids and Bases: Exploring the pH Scale

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
Where do water and hydrochloric acid (HCl) lie on the pH scale in relation to each other?

Water is a 7 on the pH scale thereby making it a base. Hydrochloric acid is a 0 making it an

acid.

Give an example of a buffer, and describe what it is used for.

One buffer is comprised of both (NH3) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). It helps the solution
resists changes when an acid is added to it.

Explain why conjugate pairs are composed of weak acids and strong bases, and vice versa

Strong acids == a corresponding weak conjugate base and vice versa because otherwise the
solution would easily release hydrogen ions.

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 The Nature of Acids and Bases: Exploring the pH Scale

EXPERIMENT 1: PREPARING A BUFFER

Data Sheet

Table 2: Sodium Acetate Data

Sodium Acetate (g) Molarity of Sodium Acetate (M)

2.6 .38

Table 3: Buffer Solutions and pH Readings

Volume of Acetic Acid Volume of Sodium Acetate

Buffer pH
(mL) (mL)
A 5 5 3.8

B 5 1 15.6

C 10 1 2.7

D 1 10 3.5

E 1 5 14.2

Post-Lab Questions

Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, calculate the predicted pH value for each buffer
solution based on the volumes given in Table 3. The pKa of acetic acid is 4.75. Show your work.

a. Buffer A: 4.5

b. Buffer B: 3.8

c. Buffer C: 3.5

d. Buffer D: 5.5

e. Buffer E: 5.2

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 The Nature of Acids and Bases: Exploring the pH Scale

Calculate your pH percent error for each buffer solution based on your theoretical calculations in
Question 2 and your measured values in Table 3. Show your work.

f. Buffer A: .92

g. Buffer B: 1.68

h. Buffer C: 2.4

i. Buffer D: .86

j. Buffer E: .28

What are some potential sources of error in this experiment that could account for your percent
error values?

Potential sources of error: contamination, human calculation/error, estimation

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 The Nature of Acids and Bases: Exploring the pH Scale

EXPERIMENT 2: EXPLORING BUFFERING CAPACITY

Data Sheet

Table 4: Observing the Effects of Acid on Buffer F and Buffer H (water)

pH with 0 mL of pH with 5 mL of pH with 10 mL pH with 20 mL

Buffer
Cola Cola of Cola of Cola

Buffer F 4.8 4.1 4.6 4.9

Buffer H
5 3 n/a n/a
(water)

Table 5: Observing the Effects of Base on Buffer G and Buffer I (water)

pH with 0 mL of pH with 5 mL of pH with 10 mL of pH with 20 mL of

Buffer
Borax Solution Borax Solution Borax Solution Borax Solution

Buffer G 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.7

Buffer I
8.7 9.9 n/a n/a
(water)

Post-Lab Questions

1. What happened when the cola and borax solution was added to the water? The carbon
dioxide acted as a weak acid.

Is water a good buffering system? Explain your scientific reasoning. Well, by definition a buffer
is made up of of a weak acid and its conjugate base salt, so water would not qualify.

How would the pH change if you added 40 mL of the borax solution to 40 mL of water? Explain
your reasoning. The PH level of the water would slighly increase, because Borax has an
alkaline pH range, it acts as a buffer.

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