SCH3U Lab Skills: Preparing and Diluting a Standard Solution

Modified from Nelson Chemistry 11: University Preparation

Complete the following in your lab notebooks.

Prelab Questions:
1. What is a standard solution?
2. Why are volumetric flasks used to prepare standard solutions?

**You will need to complete the calculations and procedure before preparing your solutions.
Be sure to get your Checkpoints verified as you complete each skill.**

Part A: Preparation of a Standard Solution from a Solid

1. Calculate the mass of solid copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4 5H2O) needed to prepare 50.0 mL
of a _______________ solution. Remember to show complete calculations, and to round appropriately.

2. Based on the posted video, and the procedure on p.412 of Nelson Chemistry 11, write out a step-by-step
procedure for the preparation of the standard solution from a solid.

Part A: Prelab Checkpoint: Teacher Signature: ______________

Part A: Skills Checkpoint: Teacher Signature: ______________

Part B: Preparation of Standard Solution by Dilution

1. Calculate the volume of a _____________solu on of copper (II) sulphate(aq) needed to prepare 100.0 mL of a
_______________ solu on.

2. Read the procedure on p.413 of Nelson Chemistry 11 for the prepara on of a diluted standard solu on.
Then, write out your steps in the space below. Include how to dispose of the solutions that you have made.

Part B: Prelab Checkpoint: Teacher Signature: ______________

Part B: Skills Checkpoint: Teacher Signature: ______________

Discussion: Use complete sentences to answer the following questions.

1. Why was it necessary to transfer each rinse directly into the volumetric flask?

2. Which pieces of equipment must initially be dry? Which did not have to be dry? Explain.

3. Why is it necessary to seal the prepared solution with parafilm (or stopper)?

4. Suppose that the distilled water contained a contaminant that forms a precipitate with copper (II) ions, what
effect would this have on the final concentration of the solution? Why?

5. What effect, if any, does the addition of distilled water to the flask have on:
i) the mass of Cu+2 (aq) in the flask
ii) the amount of Cu+2 (aq) in the flask
iii) the concentration of Cu+2 ions

EXTENSION:
o A student is making a 0.100 mol/L solution, but accidentally prepares a solution in which the final position of
the meniscus is above the volume marking on the flask. Is the final concentration of the solution greater
than, less than or equal to 0.100 mol/L? Explain.

o Design a procedure that could be used to return the solution in (f) to 0.100 mol/L. Describe why your
procedure would be effective.