FINDING THE CONCENTRATION OF DILUTED HCL

1 (aq) 2 HCl (aq)

2 NaCl(aq) H2O(l) CO2 (g)

!
!

Date: 06/03/2021
Institution: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Section - 4A

Authors: Cody Kuskie (PI)

Sierra Simmons
Adrian Mohamed
Emily Balling
Emmanuel Cuevas
 1

INTRODUCTION

A titration is a technique where a solution of known concentration is used to determine the

concentration of an unknown solution. Typically, the titrant (the known solution) is added
from a burette to a known quantity of the analyte (the unknown solution) until the reaction is
complete [1]. For this experiment, an acid-base titration was used. A known volume of the
base with unknown concentration is placed in a beaker while the acid is slowly added until
the equivalence point is reached. This neutralization is determined by a color change from
yellow/orange to a bright pink after slow, but gradual, addition of the acid concentration to
the base concentration.

Since volume measurements play a key role in titration, it is also known as volumetric
analysis. A reagent, called the titrant or titrator, is prepared as a standard solution. A known
concentration and volume of the titrant reacts with a solution of the analyte or titrant to
determine concentration [2]. The control is the volume of the unknown acid concentration
added to the known base solution is controlled during the titration experiment. The pH
depends on the addition of different volumes of unknown concentration to the known
composition.

The pH is the experimental dependent variable. It helps chemists determine the neutralization
point. This permits the chemist to analyze the molarity of the hydrochloric acid (HCl). In this
experiment the volume of HCl is controlled for the titration with the sodium carbonate to
calculate the molarity at the neutralization point. When using a pH meter, the equivalence
point can be seen as the center of a very sharp slope signifying a drastic, sudden change in
pH. When using an indicator, one should be chosen so that it changes color around the
expected equivalence point of the reaction. The point at which the solution changes color in a
titration is called the endpoint and, if the indicator was chosen appropriately, should
correspond closely to the stoichiometric point (equivalence point) [3]. To identify acids from
bases, and the relative strength of each, chemists tend to use a pH scale. Seven is neutral.
Anything with a pH below 7 is acidic. Anything with a pH above 7 is basic [4]. The pH is
represented as a measurement of the concentration of H+ in a solution.

During this experiment, the mass of sodium carbonate is maintained at a constant mass of
0.800 grams with the same amount of chemical indicator methyl orange added to the solution
for each trial. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is used for the titrant and Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
is used for the titrant. The chemical reaction for this experiment can be calculated from the
following balanced equation. It is also used to solve for the molarity of hydrochloric acid.

𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 (𝒂𝒒) + 𝟐 𝑯𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) → 𝟐𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) + 𝑯𝟐 𝑶(𝒍) + 𝑪𝑶𝟐 (𝒈)

The purpose of neutralization is to accurately measure the concentration of the hydrochloric

acid. A chemical indicator known as methyl orange is used to help create a color difference
when the neutralization point has been reached. It is especially important that the addition of
HCl is not continued once the neutralization point is reached. This would cause an imprecise
neutralization to point to be recorded.

In this experiment, the equivalence point is reached when enough HCl is added to the
yellow/orange Na2CO3, and the mixture turns pink. By titrating a known amount of
Hydrochloric acid, one can gather data to find out how much Sodium carbonate is needed to
reach an equilibrium.
 2

MATERIALS

This experiment required about 2.4 grams sodium carbonate (𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+ (,-) ), this would be
dissolved in an excess of water. The acid used for this neutralization was hydrochloric acid
(HCl) with a concentration of 6M. Methyl Orange Solution was used as a visual indicator for
when the equivalence point was reached. Methyl Orange Solution is the least dangerous of
the chemicals, Methyl would only be harmful if consumed. Sodium carbonate causes mild
irritation if in contact with skin, if sodium gets into the user’s eyes it will cause serious eye
damage. Sodium carbonate would also be dangerous if consumed. The most dangerous
chemical compound used was hydrochloric acid. HCl is highly corrosive and causes severe
burning when in contact with flesh, it can corrode metal. HCl is also a carcinogen when it is
inhaled on a large scale. To prevent dangerous situations, proper lab attire was worn; googles,
apron, closed toe shoes, pants, and nitrile gloves.

Multiple containers are required for this experiment as lots of measurements are done using
different containers. A 50-milliliter burette must be connected to a ring stand with a burette
clamp. This was filled with a 100-milliliter volumetric flask and the assistance of a funnel.
The volumetric flask was filled with a 25-milliliter pipette which transferred HCl from a 250-
milliliter beaker to the volumetric flask. Another 250-milliliter beaker and glass stir were
used to mix sodium carbonate and water. Methyl is added to the solution and is then mixed
with a stir bar and on a stir plate. The burette is located over this beaker. The ring stand
attached to the burette is also used to hold a pH sensor that is connected to a LabQuest.

METHODS

Roughly 50 milliliters of HCl with a concentration of 6.1 was obtained in a 250-milliliter

beaker. A 25-milliliter pipette was filled and then transferred to a 100-milliliter volumetric
flask; this was done twice transferring a total of 50 milliliters of HCl to the flask. The rest of
the flask was filled with distilled water diluting the HCL, using a gloved finger as a top the
flask was rotated to mix the solution. A 50-milliliter burette was then rinsed 3 times with
distilled water. The burette then got rinsed with the diluted HCl, ensuring the sides are
covered with HCl. The rinse liquid is poured into a labeled waste beaker. The burette gets
attached to the ring stand, a small amount of dilute HCl is released from the burette into the
waste beaker to ensure the volume of HCl is less than 50 milliliter and that no air is in the
burette. Volume inside of the burette is recorded. A new 250 milliliter beaker is acquired and
filled with Sodium Carbonate. This was done by zeroing a digital scale with a weight boat
placed on it. The boat is removed from the scale and a lab scoop is then placed on the boat
which is then reweighed until 0.8 grams is reached. This Sodium Carbonate is then placed
into the beaker and mixed with a glass stir rod in 30 milliliters of distilled water. The sodium
solution is placed under the burette and on top of a stir plate, a pH sensor is then attached to
the burette's ring stand and placed on the edge of the sodium carbonate solution. A stir bar
and 3 drops of Methyl are added to the solution. The stir plate is then set to mix at medium
speed. A LabQuest is then connected to the pH sensor. A new file is created, and appropriate
titles are created for the new graph that is being created. 0.2 milliliters of the HCl in the
burette is added to the sodium carbonated solution, after each drop the new pH is recorded in
the LabQuest. This is repeated until 3.5 milliliters of HCl is added to the solution. The
process is continued but with 0.1 milliliters added each time. The solution color changes from
orange to pink once the equivalence point has been reached. After reaching the equivalence
 3

point 1 milliliter additional is added in increments of 0.2 milliliters, pH is still recorded after
each increment.

The solution is dumped into the proper waste container and then rinsed out. The pH sensor
and the LabQuest are put away and a new sample of sodium carbonate is dissolved in 30
milliliter of distilled water and 3 drops of Methyl is added to the solution along with a stir
bar. The solution is then placed onto the stir plate. The volume inside of the burette is
recorded and then drops are slowly added to the solution until it goes through color change.
After color change the value on the burette is closed and the new volume of HCl is recorded.
This visual titration is repeated an additional time.

FIGURES AND CALCULATIONS

Calculating the Molarity of the stock HCl after dilution

Original Acid Stock concentration – 6.10 M 50 mL stock HCl of 6.10 M

Volume of HCl, mL= 50 mL
Volume of HCl, L = 50/1000mL
= .050 L

Number of mol of HCl present in 50 mL stock concentration

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑀 =
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝐶𝑙, 𝐿
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙
6.10 =
0.050 𝐿
= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟎𝟓 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝑯𝑪𝒍

Dilution of stock HCl

Dilution was done using 50 mL of distilled water

Total volume of solution (HCl and Distilled Water) =100 mL

The number of mol of HCl remains

constant in the solution. However, the
total volume of the solution changes
and the Molarity decreases

HCL 6.10 M HCL 3.05 M

Mol of HCl = 0.305 mol HCl Mol of HCl = 0.305 mol HCl

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑀 =
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝐶𝑙, 𝐿
0.305
=
0.1 𝐿
= 𝟑. 𝟎𝟓 𝑴
 4

Mass of Na2CO3

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass Na2CO3 (g) 0.824 0.821 0.801

Average mass of Na2CO3 (g)

0.815

Average mass of Na2CO3 (g)

𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 1 + 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 2 + 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 3

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 Na2CO3 (g) =
3
0.824 + 0.821 + 0.801
=
3
= 𝟎. 𝟖𝟏𝟓 𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝐍𝐚𝟐𝐂𝐎𝟑

Volume of HCl used in Titration

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Initial Burette Reading (mL) 17.00 24.00

0.00

Final Burette Reading (mL) 23.30 30.30

5.30

Volume HCl Added (mL)* 5.30 6.30 6.30

Average Volume HCl Added 5.96

(mL)*
Note: Trial 1 Equivalence point was at 5.30 for graphing purposes an extra 1 mL was added
Volume of HCl used in Titration

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝐶𝑙 (𝑚𝑙) = 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑚𝑙) − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑚𝑙)
= 5.30 − 0.00
= 𝟓. 𝟑𝟎 𝒎𝒍
Average Volume of HCl used in Titration

𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 1 + 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 2 + 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 3

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝐶𝑙, 𝑚𝐿 =
3
5.30 + 6.30 + 6.30
=
3
= 𝟓. 𝟗𝟔 𝒎𝑳 𝒐𝒇 𝑯𝑪𝒍

1. Balanced Chemical Equation

𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 (𝒂𝒒) + 𝟐 𝑯𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) → 𝟐𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) + 𝑯𝟐 𝑶(𝒍) + 𝑪𝑶𝟐 (𝒈)
 5

Moles Na2CO3 and HCl

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Moles Na2CO3 (mol)* 0.00916 0.00913 0.00890

Moles HCl (mol)* 0.0183 0.0183 0.0178

Concentration HCl (M)* 3.45 2.90 2.83

Average Concentration HCl 3.04

(M)*

2. Moles Na2CO3

Balanced Chemical equation mole ratio 1 mol 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+ (,-) : 2 mol 𝐻𝐶𝑙(,-)

Therefore,
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎! 𝐶𝑂"
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑒 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁𝑎! 𝐶𝑂" = 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎! 𝐶𝑂" (𝑔) ×
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎! 𝐶𝑂"
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+
= 0.815 𝑔 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+ ×
89.971 𝑔 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟗𝟎𝟔 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑

3. Mol of HCl

Balanced Chemical equation mole ratio 1 mol 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+ (,-) : 2 mol 𝐻𝐶𝑙(,-)

Therefore,
2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓𝐻𝐶𝑙
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+ ×
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+
2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝐶𝑙
= 0.00906 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+ × (𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜)
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁𝑎* 𝐶𝑂+
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟏 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑯𝑪𝒍

4. Average concentration HCl, M

Concentration of HCl, M
Number of mol HCl = 0.0181 mol HCl
Volume of HCl = 5.30 ml
Volume of HCl, l = 5.30/1000
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙 , 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑥,
o 𝑀 =
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝐶𝑙 , 𝐿
0.0181
=
0.00596
= 𝟑. 𝟎𝟒 𝑴 𝑯𝑪𝒍
 6

5. Standard deviation concentration of HCl

∑(𝑥. − 𝑥̅ )*
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝜎 = s
𝑁−1
Where Average concentration HCl, 𝑥̅ = 3.04 𝑀 , Number of trials, N = 3

(3.45 − 3.04)* + (2.90 − 3.04)* + (2.83 − 3.04)*

𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝜎 = s
3−1

(0.1681) + (0.0196) + (0.0441)

= s
2
𝝈 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒𝟎 (𝒕𝒐 𝟑 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔)

6. %RSD Calculation:
𝜎
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, (%𝑅𝑆𝐷) = × 100
𝑥̅
Where standard deviation, 𝜎 = 0.340 and average concentration of HCl, 𝑥̅ = 3.04 𝑀
0.340
= × 100
3.04
= 𝟏𝟏. 𝟐%

The percent relative standard deviation was relatively high which signified the results were
not very precise as they deviated from each other which is shown in between Trial 1 and
Trial 2 and 3
7. %Error calculation:

Theoretical concentration = 3.05 M

|𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙|
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
|3.04 − 3.05|
= × 100
3.05
= | − 𝟎. 𝟑𝟐𝟖 % |
= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟐𝟖 %

The percent error was very low which implied the results were very accurate when compared
to the actual theoretical value of 3.05 M a .01 difference was displayed
 7

TABULATED RESULTS

Table showing Volume of HCl and pH of 𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 (𝒂𝒒) , 1st derivative and 2nd derivative –
Table 1.0
1st Derivative
Volume HCl
pH of Volume HCl, 1st Derivative pH of 2nd Derivative 2nd Derivative pH
(mL)
𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 (mL) 𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 volume HCl, (mL) of 𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑
0 11.621 0 -2.137 0 2.108
0.2 11.101 0.1 -1.65 0.05 1.724
0.4 10.963 0.3 -1.371 0.2 1.268
0.6 10.581 0.5 -1.227 0.4 1.146
0.8 10.423 0.7 -0.885 0.6 0.916
1 10.294 0.9 -0.832 0.8 0.57
1.2 10.07 1.1 -0.714 1 0.432
1.4 9.995 1.3 -0.584 1.2 0.007
1.6 9.905 1.5 -0.733 1.4 -0.295
1.8 9.678 1.7 -0.803 1.6 -0.198
2 9.55 1.9 -0.745 1.8 -0.411
2.2 9.429 2.1 -0.888 2 -1.122
2.4 9.181 2.3 -1.118 2.2 -2.164
2.6 9.037 2.5 -1.628 2.4 -3.375
2.8 8.756 2.7 -2.987 2.6 -2.095
3 7.541 2.9 -2.992 2.8 1.519
3.2 7.315 3.1 -1.906 3 3.265
3.4 6.992 3.3 -1.336 3.2 3.571
3.5 6.954 3.45 -0.815 3.375 3.118
3.6 6.862 3.55 -0.665 3.5 1.719
3.7 6.817 3.65 -0.508 3.6 0.615
3.8 6.78 3.75 -0.562 3.7 -0.2
3.9 6.705 3.85 -0.622 3.8 -0.22
4 6.649 3.95 -0.628 3.9 0.047
4.1 6.579 4.05 -0.612 4 0.325
4.2 6.521 4.15 -0.544 4.1 0.362
4.3 6.47 4.25 -0.486 4.2 -0.113
4.4 6.437 4.35 -0.554 4.3 -0.719
4.5 6.364 4.45 -0.672 4.4 -0.997
4.6 6.296 4.55 -0.768 4.5 -1.055
4.7 6.212 4.65 -0.861 4.6 -1.165
4.8 6.144 4.75 -1.087 4.7 -0.893
4.9 5.952 4.85 -0.988 4.8 -1.817
5 5.943 4.95 -0.931 4.9 -8.063
5.1 5.858 5.05 -2.252 5 -16.333
 8

5.2 5.608 5.15 -4.531 5.1 -19.117

5.3 5.304 5.25 -8.175 5.2 -4.254
5.5 2.468 5.4 -6.728 5.325 7.987
5.7 1.974 5.6 -3.121 5.5 10.137
5.9 1.709 5.8 -1.527 5.7 6.597
6.1 1.606 6 -0.826 5.9 3.534
6.3 1.451 6.2 -0.75 6.1 1.496

TITRATION CURVE

TITRATION CURVE OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

AGAINST SODIUM CARBONATE
13.000
PH OF SODIUM CARBONATE (NA2CO3)

12.000

11.000

10.000

9.000

8.000

7.000

6.000

5.000

4.000 ( 5.4,3.886)
3.000

2.000

1.000

0.000
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0

VOLUME OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID (HCL) ,ML

Fig 1.1

From this Titration curve the equivalence point was found be at highlighted point on the
graph. The volume of Hydrochloric acid added was 5.4 mL and the pH of the Sodium
Carbonate was 3.886
 9

1ST DERIVATIVE TITRATION CURVE

1ST DERIVATIVE TITRATION CURVE OF

HYDROCHLORIC ACID AGAINST SODIUM
CARBONATE
0.000
`1ST DERIVATIVE pH OF SODIUM CARBONATE (NA2CO3)

-1.000

-2.000

-3.000

-4.000

-5.000

-6.000

-7.000

-8.000
5.4, -8.175

-9.000
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0
VOLUME OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID (HCL) ,ML

Fig 1.2

From this Titration curve the equivalence point was found be at highlighted point on the
graph. The volume of Hydrochloric acid added was 5.4 mL and the pH of the Sodium
Carbonate was -8.175
 10

2ND DERIVATIVE TITRATION CURVE

2ND DERIVATIVE TITRATION CURVE OF

HYDROCHLORIC ACID AGAINST SODIUM CARBONATE
12.000
2nd DERIVATIVE pH OF SODIUM CARBONATE (NA2CO3)

10.000
8.000
6.000
4.000
2.000
0.000
-2.000
-4.000
-6.000
-8.000
-10.000
-12.000
-14.000
-16.000
-18.000
5.325, -19.117
-20.000
-22.000
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0
VOLUME OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID (HCL) ,ML

Fig 1.3
From this Titration curve the equivalence point was found be at highlighted point on the
graph. The volume of Hydrochloric acid added was 5.325 mL and the pH of the Sodium
Carbonate was -19.117
 11

HYDRONIUM ION CONCENTRATION OF 𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 AND HYDROXIDE ION

CONCENTRATION OF SOLUTION

Based on starting Ph of the 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 = 11.621,

Therefor ,
Hydronium ion concentration, [H3O+]is
Where pH = 11.621

[𝐻+ 𝑂1 ] = 10234
= 10255.7*5
= 𝟐. 𝟑𝟗𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎2𝟏𝟐
Where pH= 11.621
𝑝𝐻 + 𝑝𝑂𝐻 = 14
11.621 + 𝑝𝑂𝐻 = 14
𝑝𝑂𝐻 = 2.37
Therefore, Hydroxide ion concentration, ([OH-]) is
Where pOH = 2.379

[𝑂𝐻2 ] = 102394
= 102*.+:;
= 𝟒. 𝟏𝟕𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎2𝟑

Theoretical pH of HCl dilution

Concentration based on the concentration of HCl which was found to be 3.04 M

𝑝𝐻 = −𝑙𝑜𝑔[M]
= −𝑙𝑜𝑔[3.04]
= −0.483
 12

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The experimental procedure relied on titration to determine the concentration of an unknown solution.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added to the solution in small increments and the solution was observed
for any color change to indicate the equivalence point of the solution being reached. This equivalence
point would mean that the number of moles of the acid equals the number of moles of the base.
As seen in figure 1.1, the pH of the solution starts off high, because the acid is being titrated into the
base. As the HCl solution is titrated into the sodium carbonate, the pH decreases gradually until it
reaches the equivalence point, which is indicated in the figure by a sharp drop in pH. In this
experiment, the equivalence point was reached when 5.4 mL of hydrochloric acid was added to the
solution, and the pH of the sodium carbonate was 3.886.

Graphical analysis for trial one showed the relative equivalence point, however it is not entirely
accurate in pinpointing when this point occurs. The first derivative is a measure of the rate of change
of pH over the titration curve function. In this case, this derivative becomes useful in determining the
exact point at which the reaction occurred. Figure 1.2 shows the graph of the first derivative of the
titration curve, and on this graph the equivalence point appears at 5.4 mL. The equivalence point in
the derivative graphs are found using the largest negative drop as an indicator that the reaction has
occurred. Because the experiment started with a basic solution and an acidic solution was added, the
change in pH over time was negative. Thus, the largest negative drop in the derivative graph indicates
the equivalence point. Figure 1.3 shows the second derivative of the titration curve and indicates that
the equivalence point occurs at 5.325 mL.

The difference in equivalence points using graphical analysis between the titration curve and its
derivatives can be attributed to excel using the nearest data point to the peak rather than the actual
peak slope.

When all the trials were completed, the relative standard deviation was calculated at 11.2%, and the
calculated percent error was 0.328%. These results indicate the experiment had very high accuracy
but relatively low precision between trials. The low precision could be attributed to several factors.
The first possible error is human error. The experimental procedure relied on the acid being dispensed
in very small increments when using the pH sensor, when a single drop of titrate could complete the
reaction. Too much titrate could have been added in one increment, making it difficult to accurately
estimate the exact point of the reaction. Another possible error is overshooting the amount of acid
added to the solution. As seen in the equation for concentration above, the volume of HCl is in the
denominator of the equation, meaning if more HCl was added, the concentration value would be
smaller than expected, which would create variation in the calculated concentration values.

CONCLUSION
Using a titration experiment where a solution of an unknown concentration of HCl was
titrated against a solution of Sodium Carbonate of known molarity. The process of slowly
dropping small increments of the Hydrochloric acid into the solution of Sodium carbonate
and measuring its pH at every interval allowed a graphical representation of the titration and
the equivalence point to be determined. The molarity of a diluted solution of Hydrochloric
acid was able to have been determined using Stoichiometry laws and molarity laws (Eq. 1-7).
The average molarity of the Hydrochloric acid was found to be 3.04 M. This calculated value
of molarity was very accurate and conclusive when compared to the theoretical value of 3.05
M as shown in the percent error calculation which resulted in 0.328% which is relatively low
and can be attributed to human error. The titration equivalence point was found when the
 13

volume of the unknown concentration Hydrochloric acid dispensed was 5.325 mL (from Fig
1.3- 2nd Derivative Titration Curve). The balanced chemical equation was

𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 (𝒂𝒒) + 𝟐 𝑯𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) → 𝟐𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍(𝒂𝒒) + 𝑯𝟐 𝑶(𝒍) + 𝑪𝑶𝟐 (𝒈)

A 1:2 mole ratio produced number of mol of HCl was found to be 0.0181 mol HCL (Eq. 3).
Starting at an initial pH of 11.621 (Sodium Carbonate) after the addition of 5.325 mL of HCl
the pH of the solution was 5. 304.Titrations have a wide array of uses in the chemical and
manufacturing industry as well as the medical industry and a multitude of other applications.
To further verify the Molarity of the HCl the principles of spectrophotometry can be used.
 14

WORKS CITED
[1] Chieh, C. (P. Acid/Base Titrations.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbo
ok_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Acids_and
_Bases/Acid_Base_Titrations#:~:text=A%20titration%20is%20a%20technique,until
%20the%20reaction%20is%20complete. (Accessed Jun 2, 2021).

[2] Li, D.; Liu, S. Seawater Quality Detection.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/titration
(accessed Jun 2, 2021).

[3] McGahran, A., 2021. Drop The Base. [Word Document] Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach.

[4] Tunesi, L. What are acids and bases?

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/explainer-what-are-acids-and-bases
(accessed Jun 2, 2021).

[5]Stegemann, J., Shi, C., & Caldwell, R. (1997). Response of systems to acid
addition. Studies in Environmental Science (Amsterdam), 71(C), 803–814.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-1116(97)80265-8