Experiment 01

Solution preparation & calibration of glassware

Part 1.1 preparation of a solution
Prepare the following solutions.
(a) 250.00 mL of 0.10 M standard Na2CO3 Solution.
(b) 100.00 mL of 0.10 M standard HCl Solution.
(c) 100.00 mL of 1% NaOH solution. Prepare 250.00 mL of 500 mg L-1 solution of NaOH from this
solution?
Data analysis:

1. Discuss in class, the method applied to prepare the solutions, highlighting the glassware,
instruments, tools and accessory chemicals used and safety precautions taken by you.

2. Show your calculations and method on how to use these solutions to prepare solutions that have
half of their initial concentrations.

Part 1.2 Calibration of graduated apparatus

Theory:
For most analytical purposes graduated apparatus (class A standard) will be satisfactory. But for work
with highest accuracy it is advisable to calibrate the glassware.
Procedures:
1.2.1 Calibrating a 50.00 mL burette
1. Fill the burette with distilled water and force any air bubbles out of the tip. See whether the burette
drains without leaving drops on the wall. Adjust the meniscus to 0.00 mL.
2. Weigh a small flask and transfer 5.00 mL of water to it from the burette and prevent evaporation by
closing with a watch glass. Weigh the flask again to determine the mass of water delivered.
3. Repeat the procedure adding 5.00 mL aliquots to the flask from the burette.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 several times.
5. Use the table of densities of water at different temperatures to convert the mass of water into the
volume delivered. Repeat any set agreement of duplicate burette corrections that do not agree to
within 0.04 mL.
6. Prepare a calibration graph for the burette calibration (volume delivered (mL) Vs correction (mL) at
each 5.00 mL interval.

1.2.2 Calibrating a 25.00 mL pipette

1. Clean a 25.00 mL pipette thoroughly and use it to transfer water up to its mark into a pre-weighed
flask. Weigh the flask again. Repeat the procedure several times.
 2. Use the table of densities of water at different temperatures to convert the mass of water into the
volume delivered.
3. Calculate the error (if any) and calibrate the pipette.

1.2.3 Calibrating a 100.0 mL volumetric flask

1. Clean the volumetric flask thoroughly, dry and weigh it. Fill it with distilled water up to its mark
and weigh the flask again. Repeat the procedure several times.
2. Use the table of densities of water at different temperatures to convert the mass of water in to the
volume delivered.
Calculate the error (if any) and calibrate the flask.

1.2.4 Calibrating a 100 mL beaker

1. Clean the beaker thoroughly, dry and weigh it. Fill it with distilled water up to the 100 mL mark
and weigh the flask again. Repeat the procedure several times.
2. Use the table of densities of water at different temperatures to convert the mass of water into the
volume delivered.
3. Calculate the error (if any) and calibrate the beaker.

1.2.5 Calibrating a 25.0 mL measuring cylinder

1. Clean the measuring cylinder thoroughly, dry and weigh it. Fill it with distilled water up to the
5.0 mL mark and weigh the cylinder again. Repeat the procedure by adding 5.0 mL aliquots.
2. Repeat several times.
3. Use the table of densities of water at different temperatures to convert the mass of water into the
volume delivered.
4. Prepare a calibration graph for the burette calibration (volume delivered (mL) Vs correction (mL)
at each 5.00 mL interval.