MINISTRY OF GENERAL EDUCATION

NAMUSHAKENDE SECONDARY SCHOOL

NATURAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

PREPARATION OF STANDARD SOLUTIONS

COMPILED BY: DARLINGTON NAOSA

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Standard Solutions
Most Laboratory Chemicals are supplied as concentrated solids or solutions.
Such chemicals are both difficult and dangerous for the candidates to use during practicals.
In order to make these chemicals less dangerous for our candidates to use, we need to reduce the
concentration. The process of reducing the concentration to a known concentration is called
Standardization. Therefore, a standard solution is a solution whose concentration is known.
Why prepare standard solutions on our own?
Chemicals that are standardized by the people who are going to use them;
 are cheaper
 can be accurate hence reducing the chances of obtaining wrong results due to technical errors when
diluting.
 is a requirement by the Examining body that some chemicals be freshly prepared. e.g: Iron (II)
Sulphate need to be prepared on the actual day of the practical.
How to prepare standard solutions:
Chemicals are standardized differently depending on how they come (i.e. solids or solutions):
[A] Solids (powder)
Steps
1. Weigh a known mass of the powder (the known mass is calculated from the equations depending
on the units for concentration).
2. Dissolve the powder or solid in a small amount of water, stir and transfer into a volumetric flask
or measuring cylinder.
3. Finally add water until the level goes to the dilution mark. After dilution, you would have prepared
the standard solution ready for use.
If you are using a measuring cylinder, then the last mark will be the dilution mark.

Concentration can be expressed;

 as a percentage (%)
 in grams per cubic decimeters (g/dm3)
 in moles per cubic decimeters (mol/dm3)
(a) Concentration expressed as a percentage (%)
If concentration is expressed as a percentage;
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 x 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑
 Mass to be weighed =
100cm3
Note
 A 1% solution is prepared by dissolving 1g of solute in water such that the volume is made up to
100cm3.
 Ensure that the units for volume are the same.

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Example
• Prepare 1L of 10 % sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH.
Data
Mass to be weighed =?
Volume to be prepared = 1L = 1000cm3
Concentration to be prepared = 10%
[A 10% solution is prepared by dissolving 10g of solute in water such that the volume is made up
to 100cm3]
Solution
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 x 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑
Mass to be weighed =
100cm3
1000cm3 x 10g
=
100cm3
= 100g
 This means that we will need to weigh 100g of sodium hydroxide and dissolve in a small amount
of water (say 500mL), stir and transfer into a 1L volumetric flask or measuring cylinder. Finally
add water until the level goes to the dilution mark. After dilution, you would have prepared 10% of
sodium hydroxide standard solution ready for use.
(b) Concentration expressed in grams per cubic decimeters (g/dm3)
If concentration is in grams per cubic decimeters;
 Mass to be weighed = volume to be prepared x concentration to be prepared
Note
 A 1g/dm3 solution is prepared by dissolving 1g of solute in water such that the volume is made up
to 1dm3.
 Ensure that the units for volume are in cubic decimeters or litres.
Example
• Prepare 1L of 9g/dm3 sodium carbonate, Na2CO3.
Data
Mass to be weighed =?
Volume to be prepared = 1L (1dm3)
Concentration to be prepared = 9.0g/dm3
Mass to be weighed = volume to be prepared x concentration to be prepared
= 1dm3 x 9g/dm3
= 9g
 This means that we will need to weigh 9g of sodium carbonate and dissolve in a small amount of
water (say 500mL), stir and transfer into a 1L volumetric flask or measuring cylinder. Finally add
water until the level goes to the dilution mark. After dilution, you would have prepared 9g/dm3 of
sodium carbonate standard solution ready for use.
(c) Concentration expressed in moles per cubic decimeters (mol/dm3)
If concentration is in grams per cubic decimeters;
 Mass to be weighed = volume to be prepared x concetntration to be prepared x molar mass
Note
 A 1mol/dm3 solution is prepared by dissolving 1mole of solute in water such that the volume is
made up to 1dm3.
 Ensure that the units for volume are the same.
Example
• Prepare 2L of 0.8mol/dm3 copper (II) Nitrate, Cu(NO3)2.
Data
Mass to be weighed =?
Volume to be prepared = 2L (2dm3)
Concentration to be prepared = 0.8mol/dm3

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 Molar mass = 188g/mol
Solution
Mass to be weighed = volume to be prepared x concetntration to be prepared x molar mass
= 2dm3 x 0.8mol/dm3 x188g/mol
= 300.8g
 This means that we will need to weigh 300.8g of copper (II) Nitrate and dissolve in a small amount
of water (say 500mL), stir and transfer into a 2L volumetric flask or measuring cylinder. Finally
add water until the level goes to the dilution mark. After dilution, you would have prepared
0.8mol/dm3 of copper (II) nitrate standard solution ready for use.
Standard reagents
The following standard reagents should be stocked among others. These are of paramount importance
during practicals.
 Hydrochloric acid 1.0 mol/dm3
 Nitric acid 1.0 mol/dm3
 Sulphuric acid 0.5mol/dm3
 Aqueous ammonia 1.0 mol/dm3
 Aqueous sodium hydroxide 1.0mol/dm3
 Lime water (a solution of calcium hydroxide)
 Aqueous silver nitrate 0.05 mol/dm3
 Aqueous potassium dichromate (VI) 0.1 mol/dm3
 Aqueous potassium iodide 0.1 mol/dm3
 Aqueous lead (II) nitrate 0.2 mol/dm3
 Aqueous potassium permanganate (VII) approximate 0.02 mol/dm3
 Barium nitrate 0.2 mol/dm3
 In addition chemical substances such as aluminium foil, red litmus paper, blue litmus paper and
universal indicators should be in stock.
 Common commercial laboratory solutions and their specifications
Reagent Density Percentage Molar mass Commercial concentration
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Sulphuric acid 1.84 g/cm 96 % 98 g/mol 18.0 mol/dm3
H2SO4 98 % 18.4 mol/dm3
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Hydrochloric acid 1.18 g/cm 36 % 36.5 g/mol 11.6 mol/dm3
HCl 33 % 10.7 mol/dm3
Phosphoric acid 1.70 g/cm3 85 % 98 g/mol 14.7 mol/dm3
H3PO4
Nitric acid 1.50 g/cm3 70 % 63 g/mol 16.7 mol/dm3
HNO3 55% 13.1 mol/dm3
Acetic acid 1.05 g/cm3 100 % 60 g/mol 17.5 mol/dm3
CH3COOH
Aqueous ammonia 0.90 g/cm3 28 % 35 g/mol 7.2 mol/dm3
NH4OH 25 % 6.4 mol/dm3
Standardization of an acid concentrate and dilution
Concentration, in moles per cubic decimeter, of a stock solution can be determined using the formula below:
Density x percent concentration x 10
Commercial concentration =
Molar mass
d x % x 10
M1 =
mm
- 𝑀1 = Concentration of the stock solution before dilution
- d = density of the stock solution

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 - % = Percent concentration of the stock solution
- mm = molar mass of the stock solution
- 10 is a factor
The percent concentration of the stock solution is always clearly indicated on the container in which it is
supplied by the manufacturer. Always procure chemicals that are properly labelled from certified suppliers
especially for the acids and other solutions. Ensure that the percentage and density are clearly given.
Dilution
Definition: Dilution is the decrease in concentration of a solution
Chemists often find it necessary to dilute solutions from one concentration to another by adding more
solvent (water) to the solution.
The highly concentrated solutions are known as stock solutions. When we want to use stock solutions, they
are diluted to the required concentrations suitable for carrying out specific experiments.
Dilution problems
To solve dilution problems correctly, it is important to distinguish between:
1. How much solvent must be added to dilute a solution to a particular concentration
2. To what volume must a solution be in order to prepare a solution of a particular concentration
The number of moles of solute in solution before dilution is the same as after dilution.
Number of moles before dilution = number of moles after dilution
𝑛1 = 𝑛2
𝑛1 = number of moles before dilution
𝑛2 = number of moles after dilution
To prepare a particular volume of a standardized solution, the relationship M2V2 = M1V1 is applied.
𝑛
But concentration, M = , thus,n = M x V
𝑣
𝑛1 = M1V1
𝑛2 = M2V2
Therefore, M1V1 = M2V2
If a solution is diluted by adding more solvent (water), the volume of the solution increases while the
number of moles of the solute in solution remains the same. Thus the concentration of the solution
decreases. This principle gives us the dilution law; M1V1 = M2V2
M1 = Concentration / Molarity before dilution
V1 = Volume before dilution
M2 = Concentration / Molarity after dilution
V2 = Volume after dilution
[B] Solutions (Liquids)
Some chemicals come as concentrated solutions or in layman's language as liquids. Good examples of such
chemicals are acids.
To prepare standard solutions of acids, we follow the steps below:
 Find the volume of the acid to be measured from the stock solution. (this volume is calculated using
the equation):
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 x 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 x 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
Volume to be measured =
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 x 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 x 10
V2 x M2 x mm
V1 =
% x d x 10
- 𝑉1= Volume before dilution (Volume of stock solution to be measured / extracted from the
container)
- 𝑉2 = Volume after dilution (Volume of solution you intend to prepare)
- 𝑀2 = Concentration after dilution (Concentration of the solution to be prepared)
- mm = molar mass of the stock solution
- % = Percent concentration of the stock solution (this is provided on the container)

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 - d = density of the stock solution
- 10 is a factor
 Fill the appropriate volumetric flask atmost half way with water.
 In a measuring cylinder carefully measure the volume from the stock solution.
 Add the measured volume of acid to the volumetric flask containing water. (Do not add water to
concentrated acid)
 Now add water to the volumetric flask containing acid and water until the level goes to the dilution
mark.
 At this point you would have prepared the standard acid solution.
Note
 In the above equation, ensure that the volume to be measured and volume to be prepared are in the
same the units (i.e. in cubic centimeters or milliliters).
V2 x M2 x mm d x % x 10
 V1 = is a combination of M1 = and M1 V1 = M2 V2
% x d x 10 mm
Example
• Prepare 1.5 L of a 0.1 mol/dm3 Sulphuric acid solution given that percentage concentration is 98%
and density on the label is 1.84g/cm3
Data
Volume to be measured =?
Volume to be prepared = 1.5 L (1500cm3)
Concentration to be prepared = 0.1mol/dm3
Molar mass = 98g/mol
Percent concentration = 98%
Density =1.84g/cm3
Solution
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 x 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 x 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
Volume to be measured =
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 x 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 x 10
1500cm3 x 0.1mol/dm3 x 98g/mol
Volume to be measured =
98% x 1.84g/cm3 x 10
3
Volume to be measured = 8.2cm
Steps
 Using a 10cm3 measuring cylinder, measure exactly 8.2cm3 of concentrated Sulphuric acid
 In a 1.5L volumetric flask or measuring cylinder, add water up to a mark nearer to half.
 Add the measured 8.2cm3 of the acid to the volumetric flask or measuring cylinder containing water.
 Then add more water until the level goes to the 1500cm3 mark.
Preparation of other solutions
1. Recipe for Preparation of One Litre of Benedict's Solution
 Dissolve 173.0g sodium citrate and 100.0g sodium carbonate in 800ml warm distilled
water;
 Separately dissolve 17.3g copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate in 100 ml distilled water;
 Slowly pour the first solution into the second solution with constant stirring;
 Make the volume to 1 litre with distilled water.
2. Recipe for Preparation of One Litre of Biuret Reagent
 Dissolve 1.5g copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) and 6.0g sodium potassium
tartrate in 500ml distilled water;
 Add 300ml 10 % (w/v) sodium hydroxide;
 Make the volume to 1 litre with distilled water;
 Add 1.0g potassium iodide to inhibit the reduction of copper.
3. Recipe for the Preparation of One Litre of Iodine Solution
 Dissolve 6.0g potassium iodide in 200 ml distilled water;

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  Add 3.0g iodine crystals;
 Make the volume to 1 litre with distilled water.
4. Recipe for Preparation of One Litre of 1 % copper (II) sulphate solution
 Dissolve 10g of copper (II) sulphate in one liter of distilled water and shake thoroughly to
mix or completely dissolve the contents.
5. Recipe for Preparation of One Litre of 10 % sodium hydroxide solution
 Dissolve 100g of sodium hydroxide in one liter of distilled water and shake thoroughly to
mix or completely dissolve the contents.
6. Recipe for Preparation of One Litre of lime water
 Add 2.5g of calcium hydroxide to one liter of distilled water. Shake periodically over a 24
hour period. After settling, the lime water is ready for use.
7. Recipe for Preparation of One Litre of 1% starch solution by weight
 Mix 10g analar soluble starch with 50ml distilled water. Boil 800ml distilled water and
pour the mixture (starch-distilled water) into the boiling water;
 Allow the contents to cool and make up to one litre with distilled water.
Precautions when standardizing
Ensure that:
 the apparatus are thoroughly clean.
 the room (place) where you are doing measurements is free from too much wind.
 you use the stock chemicals which are correctly labelled. Never make assumptions.
 you avoid mixing chemicals anyhow.
 you never add water to acid when making dilute solutions.