Module 6 Revision Booklet I

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Topic 1 – Titrations

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the different types of titrations (i.e strong acid & strong base, strong acid & weak
base, weak acid & strong base, and weak acid & weak base).
2. Be able to rationalize the overall shape of pH titration curves for all types of titrations.
3. Be able to rationalize the overall shape of conductivity titration curves for all types of
titrations.
4. Be able to conduct calculations for conventional and back titration problems.
5. Understand the factors that contribute to a valid, accurate, and reliable titration and be able to
assess and evaluate the accuracy, validity, and reliability of titration procedures.

Titrant is defined as the solution of know concentration, whereas the solution of unknown
concentration is defined as the analyte.

The equivalence point is defined as the point at which exactly the required volume of titrant has
been added to provide the stoichiometric amount of substance needed to react completely with the
analyte. The end point is defined as the point where the indicator being used completely changes
color, signifying that the equivalence point has been reached.

The pH of your equivalence point would determine the indicator that you use for your titration. Some
of the common indicators that used are shown below.

Indicator Color change pH Range

Phenylalanine Colorless to pink 8.3 - 10.5

Bromothymol Blue Yellow to blue 6.0 - 7.5

Methyl Orange Red to Yellow 3.1 – 4.4

The equivalence point of titrations between acids and bases are dependent on the salt that is produced.
Consider the table below.

Type of titration Salt produced pH region of equivalence

point
Strong acid, strong base Neutral salt Neutral

Strong acid, weak base Acidic salt Acidic region

Weak acid, strong base Basic salt Basic region

Weak acid, weak base Both acidic and basic salts Dependent on Ka and Kb of
salts.

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Question 1

a) Draw a pH titration curve, describing the titration between potassium hydroxide and sulfuric
acid. Assume sulfuric acid is the analyte and is initially in the conical flask.

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b) Explain the shape of the titration curve shown above. Include equations in your answer.

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c) Justify the choice of a suitable indicator for this titration.

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Question 2

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a) Draw a pH titration curve, describing the titration between NH3 and HCl. Assume NH3 is the
analyte and is initially in the conical flask.

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b) Explain the shape of the curve that was drawn above. Include equations in your answer.

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c) Justify an indicator that can be used to identify the endpoint of this titration.

d) Identify the buffer region of this titration between ammonia and hydrochloric acid ~ describe
the meaning of a buffer region.

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Question 3

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a) Draw a pH titration curve, describing the titration between sodium hydroxide and ethanoic
acid. Assume NaOH is the analyte and is initially in the conical flask.

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b) Explain the shape of the pH curve drawn above. Include equations in your answer.

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c) Justify the choice of a suitable indicator for this titration.

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Question 4

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Oxalic acid dihydrate ((COOH)2 * 2H2O) can be used as primary standard for standardising alkali
solution. 0.291 g diprotic oxalic acid required 18.2 mL of a potassium hydroxide solution for exact
neutralisation.

Calculate the molarity of the hydroxide solution.

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2020 HSC Question 25:

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Question 4

A 1.32 g sample of impure magnesium was analysed by allowing it to react with 100.0 mL of 0.750
mol/L HCl(aq). The remaining solution is titrated with 0.250 mol/L NaOH(aq), and the titre volume is
45.0 mL.

Assuming the impurities do not react with the acid, what is the percentage by mass of magnesium in
the sample?

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Topic 2 – Acid Base Equilibrium

Learning Objectives:

1. Be able to compare the pH of strong and weak acids and bases qualitatively and
quantitatively.
2. Be able to calculate the acid and base dissociation constants, Ka, and Kb respectively for the
different.
3. Understand the relationship between Ka and and pKa, and Kb and pKb.

Strong acids completely ionize into its respective ions, whereas weak acids only partially ionize into
its respective ions, establishing an equilibrium with its conjugate base. Similarly, strong bases would
completely dissociate into its respective ions, and weak bases would only partially dissociate and
establish an equilibrium.

Consider the equation for the general ionization of a weak acid:

HA(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)

["–] [ &'()]
Ka = Keq = [*+]

As Ka increases, the strength of acid increases. As Ka decreases strength of acid decrease. Strength of
acids can also be expressed in pKa, where pKa = -log(Ka).

Consider the equation for the general ionization of a weak base:

B(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ OH-(aq) + HB+(aq)

[&,)] [ (&-]
Ka = Keq = [.]

As Kb increases, the strength of base increase. As Kb decreases the strength of base decreases.
Strength of bases can also be expressed in pKb, where pKb = -log(Kb)

Important relationships to know:

Ka x Kb = Kw

pKa + pKb = 14

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Question 5
3

The Ka for hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is 3.0 x 10-8. For a 0.10 mol L-1 HOCl solution, calculate the
pKa, pH and percentage dissolution.

Question 6
3

Calculate the Ka value for 0.05 mol L-1 solution of propanoic acid (CH3CH2COOH) which has a pH
of 3.09.

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Topic 3 – Buffers

Learning Objectives:

1. Qualitatively explain how buffer systems function to resist change in pH.

2. Understand buffer capacity.
3. Calculate the pH, pKa, and concentration of acids and bases in buffer systems.

A buffer solution consists of a weak acid with its conjugate base. This system can maintain an
approximately constant pH, resisting changes in pH when small amount of acid or base is added. This
is because a buffer system exists under equilibrium, subsequently, the system will shift according to
LCP to counteract and resist changes.

Given the following buffer system where HA is the weak acid and the A- is the conjugate weak base:

HA(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)

You can calculate the pH of any buffer system using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.

[𝐴−]
𝑝𝐻 = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + log/0
[𝐻𝐴]

Some of the common buffer systems:

Buffer systems Weak acid/ conjugate Base Effective pH range

Acetic acid and acetate ion 3.5 – 5.5

Carbonic acid and hydrogen 6.4 – 7.4

carbonate ion

Dihydrogen phosphate ion and 6.2 – 8.2

hydrogen phosphate

Ammonium ion and ammonia 8.3 – 10.3

Hydrogen carbonate and 9.3 – 11.3

carbonate ion

Hydrogen phosphate and 11.3 – 13.3

phosphate ion

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Question 7
3

A dihydrogen phosphate ion and hydrogen phosphate buffer is system is established and a few drops
of universal indicator is added to the solution to observe it’s pH. Explain why there is no significant
changes in the colour of the solution when a few drops 0.1M HCl is added to the solution.

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Question 8
3

Calculate the pH of a solution containing 15g of HF and 21g of NaF in 750mL of water. The
Ka of HF is 7.2 x 10-4.

Question 9
3

Calculate the pH of a solution containing 0.75M of acetic acid and 0.50M of sodium acetate
in 750mL of water. The Ka of acetic acid is 1.8 x 10-5.

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