Activity 6

Complexometric EDTA Titration: Water

Hardness Determination via Microscale
Spectrophotometric Method

DATA SHEET

Name: ARUMBO, VERLY GLEN Group No. 2

Lab Partner: ABAD, MAE Date Performed: 08-11-2022
SEROHIJOS, KEZIA CHARA

Mass of CaCO3 in solution: 0.4001 g

Moles of Ca2+ in solution: 0.0039974 moles
Volume of solution: 0.5 L
Molarity of Ca2+ in solution: 0.0079948 M
Moles of Ca2+ in each 20 mL sample: 0.000159896 moles

Standardization of EDTA solution:

Titration I II III

Initial Buret Reading (mL) 0 0 13.3

Final Buret Reading (mL) 15 15 28.2
Volume of EDTA (mL) 15 15 14.9
Molarity of EDTA (M) 0.01065 0.01065 0.01073
(Note: 1:1 mole ratio in reaction)

Average MEDTA (M) 0.01068 0.01068 0.01068

Determination of Water Hardness (Traditional Titration Method)

Titration I II III

Initial Buret Reading (mL) 0.0 2.9 4.9

Final Buret Reading (mL) 2.9 4.9 7.5
Volume of EDTA (mL) 2.9 2.0 2.6
Moles of EDTA (mole)
Mass of Ca2+ per sample
(Note: 1:1 mole ratio in reaction)
ppm CaCO3

Average ppm CaCO3

Standard Deviation
% RSD

Water Hardness (Spectrophotometric Method@635 nm)

Time (s) Vol. Absorbance

EDTA
(µL)
10 5
20 10
30 15
40 20
50 25
60 30
70 35
80 40
90 45
100 50
. . .
. . .
. . .
900 800

Equation of Line 1:
Equation of Line 2:
Intersection of the two Lines:
Absorbance:
Vol. EDTA:
*Reported ppm CaCO3:
Std. Deviation:
%RSD:

Instructor’s Signature:
Date:

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Post-lab Questions:

1. Write the chemical reaction during the standardization of EDTA.

CaCO3 + EDTA4-(aq) → CaEDTA2-(aq) + CO32-(aq)

2. Why it is important to determine the water hardness of natural waters?

3. Distinguish between the terms temporary water hardness and permanent water
hardness.

The main distinction between temporary and permanent water hardness is that
temporary hardness can be eliminated by boiling the water, whereas permanent hardness
cannot be removed by boiling. Water hardness can be defined as the concentration of total
divalent ions present in water. Temporary hardness is mainly caused by the carbonates and
bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. Permanent hardness is due to presence of sulfates
and chlorides of calcium and magnesium in water.

4. Calcium carbonate frequently deposits in home water pipes. Should a homeowner

expect more CaCO3 buildup in hot water pipes or cold water pipes? Explain.

The homeowner should expect more calcium carbonate (CaCO3) build up in hot
water pipes. It is normal for hot water lines and heating equipment to accumulate more
calcium carbonate than cold water lines. Hardness is brought on by calcium and
magnesium salts, which can also precipitate on the inside surfaces of pipes. Water pipes
with high temperatures are effective in removing a lot of calcium from hard water, leaving
behind rock hard deposits inside the tank.

5. Would the presence of EDTA in a soap powder help prevent soap scum formation in
hard water?

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is referred to as EDTA. It is a chelating agent that

prevents our detergent from binding with trace mineral elements that are present in water.
Chelating agents are water softener compounds that get rid of calcium and magnesium and
lessen laundry item yellow discoloration. EDTA reduces the amount of sticky soap scum
formed when used in hard water. As water works its way through a wash cycle, it picks up
metal particles like calcium and iron.
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6. Discuss the importance of choosing the right indicator in performing this type of
experiment.

7. Are there any outliers from the acquired data? How to treat “abnormal” results using
Dixon’s Q-test?

There has been no outliers from the data acquired during laboratory. Dixon’s Q test
is a way to find outliers in very small data sets, somewhere in between 3 and 7 items. To
run the Q-test, data should be sorted out in ascending order and find the Q statistics with
the use of this formula: Qexp=(X2-X1)/(Xn-X1 ), where X1 is the smallest (suspect) value, X2
is the second smallest value and Xn is the largest value. Then, find the Q critical value,
usually in 95% confidence level or alpha level of 5%, in a Q table. Lastly, compare the Q
statistics value with the Q critical value, if the Q statistic is greater than the Q critical value,
then it is safe to say that the point is an outlier.

8. Compare the results from the traditional titration method and the spectrophotometric
method. Provide explanations for the discrepancies (if there’s any) by accounting all the
possible sources of errors during the conduct of this experiment.

9. Interpret your results according to the following guidelines:

0 – 75 ppm Soft water

75 – 150 ppm Moderate water
150 – 300 ppm Hard water
> 300 ppm Very hard water