Investigating the effect of different temperatures (20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C) on the content of

iodine in iodized salt via redox titration

Chemistry HL | May 2021

Candidate code: 003877-0001(hrk101)

Introduction:

Iodine is a mineral that is commonly found in the earth’s soil and ocean waters (Leung). Iodine is used
by the thyroid gland in order to synthesize the thyroid hormones, Thyroxin and Triiodothyronine
(Leung), which control various bodily functions including growth and development. The human body
unfortunately does not produce iodine, instead it needs to be supplied from our diet. When iodine intake
is poor, the body cannot produce enough thyroid hormones. Health conditions such as hypothyroidism,
thyroid gland enlargement (goiter) and weight gain mainly result from iodine deficiency. In the United
State, Iodized salt was first available in groceries in May 1924 (Leung). This was done in order to
reduce the prevalence of goiter and other conditions caused by Iodine deficiency. I found out that
according to the World health organization (WHO), the recommended iodine intake per day should be
about 0.00015 g for an average adult (Leung).

Years ago, my 23-year-old cousin was diagnosed with hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency.
Recalling my cousin’s unfortunate condition piqued my curiosity. Is all of the iodine initially present in
the iodized salt in your system after cooking? Or is some of it lost? In order to relieve my curious mind,
I decided to conduct an experiment to evaluate the effect of temperature on the iodine content in iodized
salt. This experiment was done through the process of redox titration.

A redox titration is a procedure carried out in order to determine the concentration of an analyte through
the occurrence of a redox reaction (Redox Titrations | Introduction to Chemistry, n.d.). Redox reactions
revolve around the transfer of electrons between the analyte and the titrant. In a redox reaction, the
reduction of a substance is observed with the loss of oxygen, addition of hydrogen or the addition of
electrons, while the reduction of a substance is observed with the addition of oxygen, loss of hydrogen
or the loss of electrons (Bylikin, Horner, Murphy and Tarcy, 2014).

The reaction that will be under study is:

IO3 − + 5I− + 6H+ → 3I2 + 3 H2O Step 1

I2 + 2S2O32− → 2 I− + S 4O62− Step 2

Here, S2O32- is being oxidized and 2I− is being reduced.

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Research question:

What is the effect of temperature (20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and 60°C) on the iodine content in iodized
salt?

Hypothesis:

If the temperature of the analyte (°C) increases, the volume of the 0.002 M sodium thiosulfate solution
(cm3) that is needed for the analyte to turn colorless will decrease.

Variables:

Independent variable:

Temperature of the analyte. The following temperatures have been chosen: 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C and
60°C. Five temperatures with an interval of 10°C have been chosen in order to show a proper correlation
between temperature and the iodine content of iodized salt.

Dependent variable:

The iodine content in Iodized salt (g). During the redox titration, the volume of 0.002 M sodium
thiosulfate needed for the analyte to turn colorless (cm 3) is measured. The average volume of sodium
thiosulfate needed (cm3) is then used in stoichiometric calculations in order to find the iodine content of
iodized salt at the different temperatures (°C).

Controlled variable Reason Method

Concentration of sodium
thiosulfate solution
A sodium thiosulfate solution
with a higher concentration will
cause the reaction to occur at a
faster rate. If few samples have
been reacted with a different
concentration of sodium
thiosulfate, then the results
obtained will be considered as
flawed.
All the sodium thiosulfate used
was prepared in the same batch.
This ensures that no sample in
this experiment had a different
concentration of sodium
thiosulfate.

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Concentration of starch The starch indicator solution
indicator solution can absorb the iodine that is
released. Due to this when the
analyte is titrated with sodium
thiosulfate, the solution will
change color from a dark shade
of blue-black to colorless. If
there is a difference in the
concentration of the starch
indicator solution within
samples, the results of the
experiment will be considered
as erroneous.
Concentration of potassium A greater concentration of
iodide solution potassium iodide in the analyte
would need a greater volume of
the titrant to be added in order
to change the color of the
analyte from dark yellow to pale potassium iodide solution.
yellow. This would give
incorrect results.
Exposure to atmospheric Atmospheric oxygen could
Oxygen potentially affect the titration.
Type of Iodized salt used The initial iodine content should The salt solution that was used
remain the same for all the
samples. If different types of
All the starch indicator solution
used was prepared together.
This ensures that no sample in
this experiment had a different
concentration of the starch
indicator solution.
All the potassium iodide
solution used was prepared
together. This ensures that no
sample in this experiment had a
different concentration of the
All the samples were tested on
the same day and in the same
room. This ensures that all the
samples received the same
exposure to atmospheric
oxygen.
for all the samples were
prepared from the same type o
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Volume of the salt solution
iodized salt are being used, the
results will be inaccurate.
An increase in the concentration
of the salt solution for selective
samples will result in the
increase in iodine content.
Results will be incorrect.
iodized salt that came from the
same packaging.
All the samples received exactly
50 cm3 of the salt solution using
a pipette.

Method:

Apparatus and materials:

o 0.002 M of sodium thiosulfate solution

o 0.5% starch indicator solution
o 0.6 M potassium iodide solution
o 1 M of hydrochloric acid solution
o 10 cm3 graduated cylinder (±0.2) ×4
o 100 cm3 graduated cylinder (±0.5) ×1
o 250 cm3 volumetric flask (±0.2) ×2
o 500 cm3 volumetric flask (±0.5) ×1
o Digital magnetic stirrer ×1
o 250 cm3 conical flask (±10) ×5
o Electric balance (±0.001) ×1
o Excess distilled water stored in distilled water bottles
o Polystyrene diamond shaped weighing boats ×3
o Thermometer (±0.01) ×1
o 25 cm3 volumetric pipette with rubber pipette filler bulb (±0.1) ×1
o Iodized salt
o Spatula ×3
o Hot plate ×1
o Funnel ×1

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 o Burette (±0.1)
o Stand ×1
o Labels

Procedure:

Preparation of the 0.002 M sodium thiosulfate solution:

1) Place a polystyrene weighing boat on the electric balance and tare its mass.
2) Using a spatula, take out some of the solid sodium thiosulfate from its respective container, and
slowly drop the substance into the weighing boat until the balance reads 2.500 g.
3) Add the 2.5 g of solid sodium thiosulfate to a 250 cm3 volumetric flask.
4) Using a 100 cm3 graduated cylinder, measure 100 cm3 of distilled water.
5) Add the distilled water to the volumetric flask containing solid sodium thiosulfate
6) Mix the two substances well to give a 0.1 M sodium thiosulfate solution.
7) Using a 10 cm3 graduated cylinder, measure 10 cm 3 of the 0.1 M sodium thiosulfate solution.
8) Add the 10 cm3 o 0.1 M sodium thiosulfate to a 500 cm3 volumetric flask.
9) Add distilled water to the volumetric flask until the mark in order to make the diluted 0.002 M
sodium thiosulfate solution.

Preparation of the 0.5% starch indicator solution:

10) Place a polystyrene weighing boat on the electric balance and tare its mass.
11) Using a spatula, take out some of the starch from its respective container, and slowly drop the
substance into the weighing boat until the balance reads 0.250 g.
12) Add the 0.25 g of starch into a 250 cm3 conical flask.
13) Using a 100 cm3 graduated cylinder, measure 50 cm3 of distilled water.
14) Add the distilled water to the conical flask containing starch.
15) Mix the two substances well until the starch is dissolved.
16) Then heat and occasionally stir the starch indicator solution at 60°C using a hot plate for about
10 minutes.
17) After 10 minutes, take the volumetric flask off the hot plate.
18) Let the starch indicator solution rest until it reaches room temperature.

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Preparation of the 0.6 M potassium iodide solution:

19) Place a polystyrene weighing boat on the electric balance and tare its mass.
20) Using a spatula, take out some of the potassium iodide from its respective container, and slowly
drop the substance into the weighing boat until the balance reads 49.800 g.
21) Add the 49.80 g of potassium iodide into a 250 cm3 volumetric flask.
22) Add distilled water until the lower meniscus reaches the mark of the volumetric flask containing
potassium iodide.
23) Mix the two substances well using a magnetic stirrer.

Preparing the analyte:

24) Place a polystyrene weighing boat on the electric balance and tare its mass.
25) Using a spatula, take out some of the iodized salt from its respective container, and slowly drop
the substance into the weighing boat until the balance reads 50.000 g.
26) Add the 50 g of iodized salt into a 250 cm3 volumetric flask.
27) Add distilled water until the lower meniscus reaches the mark of the volumetric flask containing
iodized salt.
28) Use a magnetic stirrer to dissolve the salt -resulting in a homogenous mixture.
29) Using a 25 cm3 pipette, measure out exactly 50 cm3 of the salt solution.
30) Add 50 cm3 of the salt solution to a 250 cm3 conical flask.
31) Using a 10 cm3 graduated cylinder, measure 5 cm3 of the 1 M hydrochloric acid.
32) Add the 5 cm3 of the 1 M hydrochloric acid to the 250 cm3 conical flask containing the salt
solution.
33) Heat (using a hot plate) or cool the analyte to 20°C.

Titration:

34) Wash the burette with sodium thiosulfate.

35) Pour the 0.002 M sodium thiosulfate solution into the burette until the 0 cm3 mark using a
funnel.
36) Once the analyte is of the desired temperature, measure 5 cm3 of the 0.6 M potassium iodide
solution using a 10 cm3 graduated cylinder.
37) Add the solution to the conical flask containing the salt solution and hydrochloric acid.

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 38) Observe the color change (turns dark yellow) when the 0.6 M potassium iodide solution is
added.
39) Titrate the analyte with the 0.002 M sodium thiosulfate solution by slightly opening the knob so
that drops of the titrant slowly fall into the analyte until another color change (from dark yellow
to a very pale yellow) is observed.
40) Immediately, measure exactly 1 cm3 of the starch indicator solution using a 10 cm3 graduated
cylinder.
41) Add I cm3 of the starch indicator solution to the analyte.
42) Observe another color change (from pale yellow to a shade of blue-black).
43) Continue the titration until the analyte turns colorless.
44) Repeat steps 29-43 four times for each of the 5 temperatures (20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C).

Safety, environmental, and ethical considerations:

Lab coat, gloves and goggles must be worn at all times while conducting this experiment as there are
acids and other chemicals involved in this exploration.

Due to their corrosive nature, acids may irritate or burn the eyes and skin. Strong and highly
concentrated acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) may cause severe symptoms when put in direct
contact with skin.

All apparatus should be cleaned thoroughly after the experiment has been conducted. All solutions used
must be disposed of in an appropriate manner to avoid any environmental hazards.

All lab apparatus must be handled with care to avoid accidents involving glassware.

There are no human beings or animals involved in this experiment, hence there is no ethical
consideration to observe.

Results:

Qualitative data:

o When the 0.6 M potassium iodide solution is added to the salt solution and 1 M hydrochloric
acid solution, the color of the analyte changes from colorless to a dark yellow.

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 o When the analyte is titrated with the 0.002 M sodium thiosulfate, the color of the analyte changes
from a dark yellow to a light yellow.
o When the starch indicator is added, the color of the analyte changes from light or pale yellow to
a shade of blue-black.
o As the titration continues, the analyte slowly changes color from blue- black to colorless.

Quantitative data:

Raw data:

Temperature Volume of 0.002 M sodium thiosulfate needed

(°C) for the analyte to turn colorless (cm3)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4

20 7.30 7.40 7.30 7.30

30 7.20 7.30 7.10 7.20

40 7.10 7.00 6.90 7.00

50 6.80 6.60 6.70 6.60

60 6.60 6.50 6.40 6.50

Table 1 shows the volume of 0.002 M sodium thiosulfate needed for the analyte to turn
colourless (cm3) with relation to temperature (°C).

Sample calculations:

Given:

1) IO3 − + 5I− + 6H+ → 3I2 + 3 H2O Step 1

I2 + 2S2O32− → 2 I− + S 4O62− Step 2

2) Mr of Iodine = 126.9 g mol-1

3) Mr of Iodide = 174.9 g mol-1

4) Concentration of sodium thiosulfate = 0.002 M

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*These are the sample calculation for the results taken from the titration at 20°C.

1. Calculate the average volume of the sodium thiosulfate solution used:

𝑉1+𝑉2+𝑉3+𝑉4 7.30+7.40+7.30+7.30
Average volume = = = 7.33 cm3
𝑛 4
2. Calculate the moles of sodium thiosulfate reacting:
*Divide by 1000 to convert the volume from cm3 to dm3
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 × 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 0.002 ×7.33
Moles of S2O32− = = = 1.47×10-5 moles
1000 1000

3. Calculate the moles of Iodine in the salt solution:

Mole ratio: Moles of I2= n
I2 : 2S2O32- 2n = 1.47×10-5
1.47×10−5
1 : 2 n= = 7.33×10-6 moles
2

4. Calculate the moles of Iodate in the salt solution:

Mole ratio: Moles of IO3- = n
IO3- : 3I2 3n = 7.35×10-6
7.33×10−6
1 : 2 n= = 2.44×10-6 moles in 50 cm3 of salt solution
3

n = 2.45×10-6 × 5
= 1.22×10-5 moles in 250 cm3 of salt solution

5. Calculate the amount, in grams, of Iodate in the salt solution:

m = n × Mr
= 1.22×10-5 × 174.9
= 2.14×10-3 g

6. Calculate the Iodine content of the salt solution:

𝑀𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑒
Iodine content = Iodate content ×
𝑀𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒

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 126.9
= 2.14×10-3 × = 1.55×10-3 g
174.9

Processed data:

Iodine content of
Temperature (°C)
Iodized salt (g)
20.00 1.55 ×10-3
30.00 1.52 ×10 -3
40.00 1.48 ×10 -3
50.00 1.41 ×10 -3
60.00 1.37 ×10 -3
Table 2 shows the iodine content of iodized salt (g) in relation to temperature (°C).

0.00160
Iodine content of Iodized salt

0.00155

0.00150
Graph 1 is a bar graph with a
0.00145
trend line showing how the
(g)

0.00140
10dine content of iodized salt (g)
0.00135
varies with temperature (°C).
0.00130

0.00125
20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00
Temperature (°C)

0.00160
y = -5E-06x + 0.0017
Iodine content of Iodized salt (g)

R² = 0.9789
0.00155
Graph 2 shows the

0.00150 correlation between

temperature (°C) and the
0.00145
iodine content of iodized salt
(g).
0.00140

0.00135
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00
Temprature (°C)

PAGE 10
Conclusion:

My hypothesis was that as the temperature increases, the iodine content in Iodized salt will decrease. All
of the data obtained proves that my hypothesis was correct. From graph 1 and graph 2, we can see that
the iodine content of iodized salt was at the highest when the temperature was 20°C and at the lowest
when the temperature was 60°C. The closer the R2 value for this relationship as shown in graph 1 and 2
was automatically calculated to be exactly 0.9789. The closer the R2 value is to 1, the stronger the
correlation between the two variables. Because the R2 value obtained for this relationship is extremely
close to 1, this indicates that there is indeed a strong negative correlation between the two variables.
This can also be seen in graph 2, where the graph has a steep negative slope. Thus, indicating a strong
negative correlation.

Evaluation:

Strengths:

o Concordant results were used in the calculations.

o 4 trials were conducted for each temperature. This increases the reliability of the experiment.
o All the apparatus was washed with distilled water and thoroughly cleaned before conducting the
experiment for each trial, as traces of other chemicals could alter the results of the experiment.
o All the samples were labeled in order to avoid a mix up between samples.

Limitations:

o This experiment is based on color change. Due to differences in sense perception, a higher
volume of sodium thiosulfate could have been added.
o It is sometimes hard to see whether or not the analyte has become colorless. Stopping the
titration before the end point will affect the results obtained.

Extensions:

o More trials could be conducted to increase the level of reliability.

o This experiment could be conducted at even higher temperatures to see of the trend continues.

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Bibliography:

Leung, Angela M et al. “History of U.S. iodine fortification and supplementation.” Nutrients vol. 4,11
1740-6. 13 Nov. 2012, doi:10.3390/nu4111740

Bylikin, S., Horner, G., Murphy, B. and Tarcy, D., 2014. IB Chemistry course companion. Oxford:
Oxford university press.

Courses.lumenlearning.com. n.d. Redox Titrations | Introduction to Chemistry. [online] Available at:

<https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/redox-titrations/> [Accessed 25 March 2021].

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