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Titration Lab Report: Accelerated Chemistry
Titration Lab Report: Accelerated Chemistry
Shaynisa Siriwongsilp (Boya) 1108
Phimchanok Eakkaparksawat (Praewa) 1108
Ronnakit Taninpaisal (Series) 1108
Pitchayapa Vichitvigrom (Eian) 1110
Teerothai Pranglaor (Jedi) 1110
1
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to find out the unknown concentration of acid. This
experiment we separated into three sections each would be tested with different indicators . In
the first section, Phenolphthalein were used to test in the pH of 10 ml HCl with the use of 15.95
ml NaOH to begin the titration. This resulted in the dark pink colour solution and a pH of 8.7. The
next section, Bromophenol blue, was dropped into 10 ml HCl and titrate with 15.75 ml NaOH
which then resulted in blue color and a pH of 6.16. In the last section, Bromthymol blue was
used in 10 ml HCl and was titrated by 15.75 ml NaOH which this then resulted in blue and pH of
8.4 . For all of the solutions we’ve got resulted in different colours and pH values. The volume of
NaOH could be further calculated to find the concentration. For Bromophenol blue the average
concentration of acid is 0.07875 M, Phenolphthalein is 0.07975 M and Bromthymol blue is 0.079
M. The concentration of acid in the three indicators we used are very close.Theoretically it
should be close because we used the same acid for all three solutions.
Introduction
Acids and bases can be defined multiple ways with multiple theories that explain what
they are. The first theory is called the Arrhenius theory, founded by a Swedis chemist Svante
Arrhenius in 1884. His theory suggests that acids and bases could be categorized based on the
ions formed when the compound reacts with water. An Arrhenenius acid is a compound that
increases the H+ ion in the solution, or in other words, the compound releases H+ ions when it
dissociates. For example, when hydrochloric acid, HCl, dissociates, it releases H+ and Cl- ions,
increasing the H+ concentration in the solution. Therefore, hydrochloric acid is an Arrheneius
acid. However, when hydrochloric acid reacts with water, the released hydrogen ion reacts with
water, creating a hydronium ion, H3O+. Thus, the concentration of H+ and H3O+ are considered
interchangeable. Similarly, an Arrhenius base is a compound that increases the concentration of
OH- in the solution when it dissociates. For example, sodium hydroxide releases Na+ and OH-
ions, increasing the OH- concentration in the solution. Thus, it is considered an Arrhenius base.
(5)
The second theory is Brønsted- Lowry acid-base theory, also known as proton theory of
acids and bases, is a theory proposed by Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted and Thomas Martin
Lowry in 1923. The theory suggests that compounds that lose their protons in reactions are
ones that should be considered as acids. Meanwhile, those that are proton acceptors are
considered as bases. To illustrate, a chemical reaction between ammonia and water results in
the production of ammonium ions and hydroxide ions.
N H 3 + H 2 O → N H 4 + OH −
In this reaction, water loses a hydrogen proton to ammonia, making ammonia a proton
acceptor and water a proton donor. Thus, for this reaction, ammonia is a bronsted base while
water is a bronsted acid. The ammonium ion, resulting from ammonia receiving a proton from
2
water, is ammonia’s conjugate acid. Meanwhile, the hydroxide ion, resting from water molecules
losing protons, is water’s conjugate base. (2)
The last theory focuses on the donating and accepting of pairs of electrons, known as
Lewis theory of acid-base reactions. According to Lewis’ theory, acids are compounds that can
accept pairs of electrons while bases are compounds that can donate pairs of electrons.
In this equation between a hydrogen ion and hydroxide, an electron pair from hydroxide
is donated to the hydrogen ion. Thus, according to Lewis’ theory of acid and base, hydroxide is a
base while the hydrogen ion is an acid in this reaction. (1)
When acids and bases are mixed with different compounds, different reactions take
place. The reaction depicted in our experiment is a reaction between acids and bases known as
neutralization. A neutralization reaction would be one that results with a more neutral solution,
or a solution with a pH closer to 7. pH is a scale used to measure how acidic or basic a solution
is, calculated as the negative of the base 10 logarithm of the molar concentration of the
hydrogen ions in the solution. At 25 degree celsius, solutions with a pH lower than 7 are acidic,
while solutions with a pH higher than 7 are basic. Those with a pH of 7 are considered neutral. A
neutralization reaction requires an acid and base to react with each other to form a salt and a
combination of hydrogen and hydroxide ions to form water. (7)
According to the acids and bases used as reactants, the pH of the result varies. If a
strong acid reacts with a weak base, both with the same volume and concentration, an acidic
product will be formed. This is of the excess H+ ion in the acid which easily dominates over the
OH- ions in the base, causing the result to contain more H+, causing it to be acidic. Similarly, if a
strong base is reacted with a weak acid, a basic product would be formed due to the excess
OH-.
Neutralization does not necessarily only occur when base and acid are mixed.
Neutralization can occur when acids and metal carbonates react as well. However, unlike when
acid and base react, the products aren’t only salt and water. An additional product, carbon
dioxide, from the carbonate, would be released as well. (4)
Titration is a method used to determine the concentration of an unknown substance in a
mixture where its volume or weight is known. By using the exact volume and concentration of
the titrant needed to neutralize or make the mixture reach a certain pH (identified by using an
indicator), the concentration of the unknown substance can be calculated.
Titration is a technique where one known solution, the titrant, is slowly added to the
unknown solution until it reaches a certain pH, indicated by a colour change. The titrant will be
added into a biuret, a long glass tube with stopcock, to a certain point and noted down. Before
the titrant could be added, the biuret must be cleaned. Meanwhile, the solution with the
unknown concentration will be added to an erlenmeyer flask using a pipette to draw the exact
volume needed. A few drops of an indicator will then be added to the unknown solution by
opening the stopper, and the titrant is then slowly added into the flask until a colour change is
seen. The solution must constantly be mixed by swirling the flask. The preferred pH is the
endpoint of the indicator, which is when one or half a drop causes the solution to change
colours for over 10 seconds. Once the end point is reached, the volume of the biuret is then
3
measured once more. Subtracting the starting volume by the end volume yields the volume of
solution we used. With the information we knew, the concentration of the titrant and the volume
of both the titrant and the solution in the flask, the concentration of the solution in the flask can
be calculated. Thus, we used this technique to find the concentration of hydrochloric acid using
sodium hydroxide, which has a concentration of 0.05M.
Indicators are substances that change depending on the pH of the solution.(6) There are
many types of indicators and each has a different endpoint. The change in the colour of the
indicator is caused by the dissociation of the indicator, which is a weak acid, itself.(3)
Three of the indicators used in our experiment are: bromophenol blue, bromothymol
blue, and phenolphthalein. Bromophenol blue, also known as bromothymol sulfonephthalein and
BTB, is an indicator that turns yellow in acidic solutions and blue in basic solutions. At its
endpoint, the pH is 7 and the solution turns green. Meanwhile bromothymol blue is an indicator
that turns yellow at a pH lower than 3 and blue at a pH higher than around 4.5. Its endpoint is
between 3 and 4, where the indicator turns green. Lastly, phenolphthalein remains colourless up
to a pH of 8. At its endpoint, which is between 8 and 9, the indicator turns light pink. At a pH
higher than its endpoint, the indicator turns into a darker shade of pink.
4
Experimental
Chemical
1. Hydrochloric acid (10 mL in each titration)
2. Sodium hydroxide
Indicator
1. Bromophenol blue
2. Bromthymol blue
3. Phenolphthalein
Equipment/glassware
1. Goggle
2. Lab coat
3. Gloves
4. Pipette
5. Buret
6. Erenmayer flask
7. Beaker
8. Rubber bulb
9. Pipette gun
10. pH indicator
11. Clamp
5
6
Results
Pre lab questions:
2. Label the pH scale below with acid, base, and neutral, indicating numbers for each.
3. On the scale above, use an arrow to show where your equivalence point is located.
The equivalence point is when [H+] = [OH-] or pH 7 which is neutral
4. Write the neutralize reaction that occurs between hydrobromic acid (HBr) and
lithium hydroxide (LiOH).
LiOH + HBr → H 2 O + LiBr
7
8
Results:
Phenolphthalein Bromophenol Blue Bromothymol Blue
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 1 Trial 2
Initial Buret
Volume (mL)
0 15.9 0 16 0 15.8
Final Buret
Volume (mL)
15.9 31.9 16 31.5 15.9 31.5
Volume of Base
15.9 16 16 15.5 15.9 15.7
(mL)
Volume of Base
0.0159 0.016 0.016 0.0155 0.0159 0.0157
(L)
Volume of Acid
0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
(L)
Acid
Concentration 0.0795 0.08 0.08 0.0775 0.0795 0.0785
(M)
Average
Concentration 0.07975 0.0785 0.079
(M)
9
Discussion
1. How would it affect your results if you used a beaker with residual water in it to
measure out your standardized sodium hydroxide solution?
Using a beaker with residual water in it will cause changes in the sodium hydroxide
solution concentration. The residue will contaminate the content of the solution causing
the results to become affected.
2. How would it affect your results if you used a wet Erlenmeyer flask instead of a dry
one when transferring your acid solution from the volumetric pipette?
3. How do you tell if you have exceeded the equivalence point in your titration?
If the equivalence point is exceeded, the color of the indicator in the solution will be
changed permanently.
10
4. Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid (CH3COOH) in water. For quality control
purposes, it can be titrated using sodium hydroxide to assure a specific %
composition. If 25.00 mL of acetic acid is titrated with 9.08 mL of a standardized
2.293 M sodium hydroxide solution, what is the molarity of the vinegar?
11
Calculation
Examining the pH titration can allow us to determine an unknown concentration of any acid or
base. In order to find the concentration, neutralization method takes into account. It is a method
of adding an acid solution to base, vice versa. In this experiment, we were given the
concentration 0.05 M of strong basic solution, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and asked to
determine that of strong acid, hydrochloric acid (HCl). Thus, NaOH will be used as titrant which
is poured to HCl that acts as a titrand.
By observing from the equation below,
N aOH + HCl → N aCl + H 2 O
(Sodium hydroxide and Hydrochloric acid → S alt and water)
we can determine that each of strong base (NaOH) and strong acid (HCl) will dissociate into
N aOH → N a+ + OH −
HCl → H + + C −
In which hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion will neutralize each other and form pure water.
H + + OH − → H 2 O
And sodium and chloride ions will form salt
N a+ + C l− → N aCl
Additionally, indicators also play a huge role in clarifying the solution’s equivalent point
and endpoint. The equivalence is where concentration of hydrogen ions are equal to
concentration of hydroxide ions (pH 7). In other words, neutralization occurs at this point of
experiment. The endpoint is when the indicators start to change their colours. The colours
change according to a specific pH range. We can see the change in colours of the solution until
it reaches over titration point where the colours will change permanently. The more hydroxide
ions being poured in, the more basic the solution will become. In this experiment, the indicators
we focused on were phenolphthalein, bromophenol blue, bromthymol blue. Nevertheless, the
results of this experiment were based on our observation and estimation only. Therefore, it is
not unusual that the results of our experiment are not exactly the same as our expected number.
The endpoints and the colours will be shown in the next page.
16
Phenolphthalein
● Endpoint of pH 9
● From left to right: no NaOH added, endpoint (light pink), and over titrated
Bromophenol blue
● Endpoint of pH 4
● From left to right: no NaOH added, endpoint (light purple-greyish), and over
titrated
17
Bromthymol blue
● Endpoint of pH 7
● From left to right: no NaOH added, endpoint (light blue), and over titrated
To further elaborate our observation from this experiment, we will divide this discussion
into three smaller parts corresponding to three indicators we used.
18
Phenolphthalein:
● First trial
10 mL of HCl was put into a erlenmeyer flask with few drops of phenolphthalein added to it.
Then we carefully dropped 0.05 M sodium hydroxide from the burette to observe the change of
its colour. NaOH was reduced by 15.9 mL and the colour was dark pink. The first trial is
considered to fail because HCl becomes over titrated after. The pH measured by pH meter was
9.7
● Second trial
Another 10 mL of HCl and drops of phenolphthalein was used, and 16 mL of NaOH was
reduced. The colour changed to light pink which was considered successful. The pH meter
showed that pH was 7.7.
Therefore, the average pH was (9.7 + 7.7) ÷ 2 = 8.7 which is pretty to the endpoint.
19
Bromophenol blue
● First trial
HCl 10 mL was put with a couple drop of bromophenol blue. After that, the same process as
phenolphthalein is repeated. NaOH was dropped from burette to HCl which causes change in
HCl colour. Without realizing that we had already over titrated it, the colour of HCl turned into
dark indigo. The volume reduced was 16 mL. The first trial failed due to our inaccuracy. Its pH
was 8.1.
● Second trial
Another HCl and bromophenol blue was used for the second trial. This time, we slowly and
precisely drop the NaOH down. We observed the changes and when the colour started. We
stopped the titration as soon as the colour started to change and the total volume that was
used was 15.5 mL. The colour was light indigo and its pH was 4.3 which almost exactly match
the endpoint.
Therefore, the average pH of both trials was (8.1 + 4.3) ÷ 2 = 6.2 .
20
Bromthymol blue
● First trial
The same procedure as the first two repeated but with a different indicator: bromthymol blue. In
this trial, 15.9 mL of NaOH was reduced. The colour of HCl solution was dark blue which
technically meant that it is over titrated. The first trial failed due to the fact that we were not
careful enough, so it caused the solution to have a pH of 8.7.
● Second trial
10 mL of HCl was once again put in a flask which was later added by bromthymol blue. 15.7 mL
of NaOH was dropped slowly from the burette. As soon as the colour started to turn light blue,
we tried to be as careful as possible. All in all, the second titration was a success as the colour
of the solution matched the sample in front of the class with the pH of 7. This exactly met the
endpoint of this indicator.
Therefore, the average pH of both titrations was (8.7 + 7) ÷ 2 = 7.85
21
According to the fact that each indicator occupies different endpoints, the sodium hydroxide
solution used were different from each other. All in all, the average pH measured by pH meter
for phenolphthalein, bromophenol blue, and bromthymol blue were 8.7, 6.2, 7.85 respectively.
From this, it can be seen that the results did not exactly match the range of each indicator.
Some were also off more than a range of one. Therefore, it can be concluded that some
technical errors might have occurred during the experiment which are:
1. We added too much NaOH into the HCl solution in the first trials causing it to
become over titrated.
2. It is possible that the solution might oxidize with air after we finished the titration
causing the change in its colour. A clear example that we observed was with
phenolphthalein. The initial colour of the solution that we observed was not like
the colour after a couple of minutes passed. Hence, our conclusion is that the
indicator might have oxidized with the air. The indicators are generally weak base
or acid, meaning that it can be dissociate into ions when mixed with water.
Indicators like phenolphthalein contain bonds that absorb wavelengths from
visible light. And when the solution changes its pH, electrons arrangement of
phenolphthalein also changes. And when the indicator is oxidized with oxygen in
the air, the colour of the solution will change quicker.
3. According to the data we recorded of phenolphthalein, the volume used for first
and second trial was 15.9 and 16 mL however their pH was 9.7 and 7.7
respectively. It contradicts to the logic that the more NaOH you poured in, the
more basic the solution will become. From our data above, the less NaOH we put
in, the more basic our solution becomes. In addition, the final buret volume for
the first trial for bromthymol blue and the initial buret volume for the second trial
is 15.9 and 15.8 respectively. These might be due to our error of recording the
data. With these wrong values, the number could greatly affect the calculation
part.
4. We didn’t rinse the glassware well enough which caused the effect the pH level. It
might be some chemical left in there when we measure it.
22
Conclusion
From the result it can be concluded that different use of indicators still resulted in a very close
amount of acid concentration to each other. The first indicator is phenolphthalein in 10 ml of
HCl which used 15.95 ml of NaOH in titration. This resulted in a dark pink colour with an average
pH of 8.7 and the concentration of acid as 0.0795 M. The second indicator is Bromophenol blue
in a 10 mL HCl solution with the use of 15.75 ml NaOH in titration. Resulted in a light indigo
colour with the average pH of 6.2 and acid concentration of 0.0785 M. The third indicator is
Bromthymol blue in 10 mL of HCl which used 15.8 mL of NaOH in the titration process. This
resulted in a blue solution with an average pH of 7.85 and the acid concentration of 0.079 M.
After all the calculations, we found out that the average concentration of acid in each indicator
was approximately 0.07908 M. By experimenting in this lab, not only we gain more
understanding of acid, base and indicators but we are also able to visualize it in real-life
examples. We also learnt how effective a single drop of acid and base is in a solution. It could
shift the pH value and physical appearance in just one single drop. We were able to try and learn
techniques from titration and were able to test for pH in each indicator via pH meter. Moreover,
we were able to calculate the unknown concentration of acid in each indicator from the given
base concentration and amount of NaOH used in each titration.
23
Suggestion/Error
Although we tried our best to minimize the errors by being very careful in each step, few
errors are still encountered.
The first one was that we put too much NaOH into the solutions during the titration. This
affected the pH level and caused the solutions to change color. This over-titration happened at
least once to every indicator: Bromophenol blue, Bromthymol blue and Phenolphthalein. For
Bromophenol blue, the end point was supposed to be light indigo, however we over titrated the
indicator and it turned dark purple. For Bromthymol blue, the end point was supposed to be light
blue, however we over titrated the indicator and it turned dark blue. For Phenolphthalein, the end
point was supposed to be light pink, however we over titrate the indicator and it turned dark
pink. To prevent this from happening, we can do a rough titration first, so we can estimate the
amount of NaOH to put in the indicator before the end point. This way we can know the
approximate amount of NaOH to put in each indicator before we over titrate the indicators.
The second error was we didn’t rinse the glassware before pouring the chemical and the
indicators in first. This can affect the pH level of the final solution because there might be some
left over chemical in there. To prevent this from happening, we need to use distilled water to
clean the glassware. We can’t use tap water because it is contaminated which can affect the pH
level.
The third error was that one of our members recorded the wrong volume, 15.9 for the
final buret volume (first trial for Bromthymol blue) and 15.8 the initial buret volume (second trial
for Bromthymol). With these wrong records, the numbers would affect the calculation part. In
addition, the recorded data of phenolphthalein contradicts the neutralization logic: the more
hydroxide ions being added, the more basic the solution will become. This caused confusion
among ourselves. We suppose it was an error from recording the data. To prevent this from
happening again, each member should remind each other to be precise with every number in
any experiment. Be aware at all times with everything being recorded. If the number seems to be
mismatched, members should discuss and check immediately to ensure that there will be no
incorrect calculations.
The fourth error was one of our members spilled HCl over his hand (with gloves on). This
didn’t severely hurt his skin, however it burned/stinged him. To prevent this from happening, we
have to make sure to hold the containers with full alertness and make sure we don’t spill the
acid anywhere.
Additionally, phenolphthalein is usually oxidized with air causing a quicker physical
change in the solution. The titration should be kept on going until we are sure enough that the
colour is stable.
These errors will remind us to be more precise and careful in future experiments.
24
References
https://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch11/lewis.php
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry/acids-and-bases-topic/acids-and-bas
es/a/bronsted-lowry-acid-base-theory
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook
_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Acids_and_Base
s/Acid_and_Base_Indicators/PH_Indicators
4. Reactions with acids - Making salts - GCSE Chemistry (Single Science) Revision - WJEC -
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z7g26yc/revision/1
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from https://www.britannica.com/science/Arrhenius-theory
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from https://www.britannica.com/science/chemical-indicator
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https://www.britannica.com/science/pH