Chemistry: Matter and Change

Lab 5 Acid-Base Titrations

Name_____________________________

Purpose:
The object of this laboratory activity is to become familiar with making solutions and to titrate an acid with a
base. One solution will be prepared from a solid and one solution will be prepared by dilution of a concentrated
solution.

Materials:

hydrochloric acid, HCl, 0.1M

sodium hydroxide, NaOH (Unknown concentration)
phenolphthalein solution (1% by mass in ethanol)
2 x 10mL graduated cylinder
2 x 250mL beaker
1 50mL Conical flask
1 burettete, 25mL or 50mL
1 pipette, 10mL
1 pasteur pipette
2 small funnels

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
Wear approved eye protection in the laboratory AT ALL TIMES.

Hydrochloric acid is corrosive. In the event of skin contact, wash well with water. If the skin is blistered or
broken, seek professional medical treatment.

Sodium hydroxide is caustic. In the event of skin contact, wash well with water. If the skin is irritated or broken,
seek professional medical treatment.

Procedure:

1. Rinse a burette with 5mL of NaOH solution. Discard the rinse solution. Repeat the rinsing two more
times.

2. Fill the burette with your unknown NaOH solution. Adjust the volume to the zero mark. Use a piece of
labeling tape to identify this as the base or NaOH burette.

3. Rinse a small conical flask with 3mL of HCl solution using a measuring cylinder. Discard the rinse
solution. Repeat the rinsing two more times. The flask may be left wet for the titrations.

4. Using a pipette, fill the conical flask with 10mL of 0.1M HCl and add 3 drops of phenolphthalein
indicator solution. There should be no colour change.

5. Titrate the unknown NaOH solution with 0.1M HCl until the solution turns pinkish-purple and persists
for 30 seconds without changing back. Record the volume of NaOH used.
 6. Rinse the conical flask well with water. Give the flask a final rinse with distilled or deionized water. The
flask may be left wet for another titration.

7. Repeat the titration procedure, above, 2 more times.

Trial 1 2 3

Initial burette reading (NaOH)

Final burette reading (NaOH)

Volume of NaOH used

Use the information you have gathered to find out the average concentration of your unknown NaOH
solution and its pH.