Title: Thermometric Titration

Aim: To determine the molar concentration of a solution of sodium hydroxide

by thermometric titration
Apparatus: A burette, 25ml pipette, pipette filler, a styrofoam cup, beakers, a filter
funnel, a burette stand with clamp and a thermometer
Reagents: A solution of 1M hydrochloric acid and a solution of 1M sodium
hydroxide.

Method: (a) Clamp the burette securely to a burette stand.

(b) Rinse the burette with small amounts of the hydrochloric acid
solution. Fill the burette to the zero mark with the hydrochloric
acid solution.
(c) Rinse the pipette with a small amount of the sodium hydroxide
solution. Using the pipette provided, transfer 25cm3 of sodium
hydroxide to a Styrofoam cup.
(d) Allow the solution in the flask to stand for a few minutes (no more
than five), then record the temperature of the solution (Record
your temperatures to one decimal place).
(e) Add 5.0 cm3 of hydrochloric acid from the burette to the cup. Stir
the solution immediately with the thermometer and record the
temperature after stirring.
(f) Repeat step (e) as many times as necessary until a total volume of
50cm3 of hydrochloric acid has been added to the flask.

Results: Data collected should be displayed in a table such as the table shown
below.

Table 1: VOLUME OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID ADDED AND

CORRESPONDING TEMPERATURES

Volume of hydrochloric acid

Temperature/oC
added/cm3
0

10

15

20
 25

30

35

40

45

50

Treatment of results: (a) Plot a graph of temperature (oC) vs volume of hydrochloric acid used
(cm3) .
(b) Locate the point of highest temperature on your graph.
(c) Using a line, indicate on your graph the volume at which the highest
Temperature was obtained. The volume obtained will be the volume
of hydrochloric acid required for complete reaction with the sodium
hydroxide in the flask.

Calculations: The following questions should be answered:

a. Write a balanced equation for the reaction occurring in the titration
b. State which solution is the standard solution.
c. Calculate the number of moles of hydrochloric acid used for achieving
the endpoint of the titration. (Hint: use the volume for the highest
temperature on the graph)
d. Using the chemical equation, determine the moles of sodium
hydroxide used.
e. Determine the molar concentration of sodium hydroxide.

Discussion questions: (a) What is a thermometric titration?

(b) With respect to energetics, state what kind of reaction occurs
between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
(c) Account for the shape of the graph obtained.

Sources of error: State at least one factor which could lead to inaccurate results (Do not
write factors arising from obvious carelessness, eg, failure to properly
label flasks, pipetting the wrong solution, etc.)

Precautions: State precautions which were observed during the experiment

Conclusion: A brief statement related to your aim. (Was your aim met? If so, what
was the result?)