EXPERIMENT 2:

ACID BASE TITRATION

DATE/DAY : 28/03/2023 (TUESDAY)

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Saiful ‘Arifin Bin Shafiee

PREPARED BY:

NAME MATRIC NO.

SITI RANIA BINTI NORAZLI SHAM 2213054

SITI NORHIDAYU BINTI MOHD ZAWAWI 2215088

INTRODUCTION
Titration is a lab experiment used to determine a solution's concentration by using another
solution with a known concentration. In a titration, one of the solutions involved is a standard
solution. A standard solution is filled in the burette and is slowly added into an Erlenmeyer flask
for it to react with an analyte of an unknown concentration. Either primary or secondary
solutions fit the definition of the standard solution. A pure solid with a known molar mass that
has been precisely weighed is dissolved in a known volume of distilled water to create a primary
standard solution. The molarity of the other standard solution, also referred to as the secondary
solution, is deduced using a primary standard.

An experimental technique called an acid-base titration is used to accurately neutralise an

acid or base of an unknown concentration with an acid or base of known concentration. Solutions
of sodium hydroxide are widely used in titration analysis of samples containing an acidic
solution. Since NaOH solution contains contaminants, the solution used in titration needs to be
standardised. The equivalence point, also known as the end point, is the point at which
chemically equivalent amounts of the reactants have been mixed, and it is the goal of the titration
to identify this point. To identify the titration's end point in titration analysis, a pH indicator is
typically added to the analyte solution. When the reaction is finished, there should be a sharp
shift in pH in an acid-base titration analysis. For instance, if an acid sample is being titrated, a
basic titrant will be used. The solution being titrated will suddenly become basic when one extra
drop of titrant is introduced. When the equivalence point is achieved, a substance that has been
added in trace amounts during a titration changes colour. The pH of the solution will be around
7.0 at the equivalence point when a strong acid is titrated with a strong base, or the other way
around.

The indicator used in this experiment is phenolphthalein. In alkaline solutions,

phenolphthalein turns pink; in acidic solutions, it is colourless. However, there are some
weaknesses of this experiment which is by ‘overshoot’ of the titration, allowing the solution to
turn dark pink in colour. This error can be avoided by reducing the rate of flow of NaOH from
the burette when ‘pink clouds’ were seen in the Erlenmeyer flask, and shut off the supply when
the pink colour is maintained even after swirling. End point determination is the most common
source of systematic error in titrations. This is because the end point is determined visually, so
there can be a significant difference in determining when a titration is halted from one individual
to the next.
MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

No. Material No. Apparatus

1. NaOH solution 1. 50.00mL burette

2. 0.105mol HNO3 solution 2. Erlenmeyer flask

3. 0.105mol H2SO4 solution 3. Measuring cylinder

4. Phenolphthalein 4. Dropper

5. Beaker

6. Conical funnel

Table 1.1 : Materials and Apparatuses Used In This Experiment.

PROCEDURE

1. Two standard solutions ,HNO3 and H2SO4 were prepared with the concentration
0.105 M.
2. A 50 mL burette was rinsed three times with deionized water and twice with 5 mL
of sodium hydroxide solution. Waste of NaOH solution was disposed of in
prepared waste bottles.
3. Burette was clamped in position and was filled with basic solution, NaOH, until
above the zero mark. The bubble was released from the stopcock and tip of the
burette.
4. NaOH solution were removed from the burette until meniscus at 0.00 mL and
recorded as the initial reading.
5. 20.0 mL portions of standard acid solution was added to each of three clean
Erlenmenyer flasks by using graduated cylinder.
6. 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein (PTH) were added to each flask that contains the
acid.
7. A piece of paper is placed on the tabletop underneath the tip of the burette.
8. One flask is set under the burette and sodiun hydroxide is added slowly, the flask
swirls constantly.
9. Sodium hydroxide was added slowly when the endpoint approached when a pink
color began to appear. The dropwise is still proceeds at this point. A temporary
pink color appears before the endpoint is reached. The titration process stopped as
soon as the first permanent pale pink color had been seen. The endpoint was reach
and the final reading of buret is recorded to the nearest 0.02 mL
10. Titration process was repeated with the other two flasks.
11. Volumes of NaoH required to neutralize both acid solutions were tabulated and
compared.
12. 4.723 molarity of reaction NaOH and HNO3 and 2.263 molarity of NaOH and
H2SO4 was calculated and recorded in the table.
 DATA AND OBSERVATION

The result of this experiment is represented in table 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. The volume of
NaOH used was recorded with three trials to ensure accurate and precise readings. The
experiment was repeated to get the average volume of sodium hydroxide to compare between the
two acid solutions using the formula of acid-base titration. The volume of NaOH is read at
meniscus level to avoid parallax error. Volume and concentration of both acids are constant
values, leaving the volume and concentration of NaOH to be determined. Phenolphthalein was
used in small drops as an indicator for the end-point determination.

Formula of acid used : HNO3 (aq) + NaOH (aq) → NaNO3 (aq) + H2O (l)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Volume of 20.00 20.00 20.00

HNO3 used
(mL)

Molarity of 0.105 0.105 0.105

HNO3 used
(mol/L)

Initial burette 0.00 0.00 0.00

reading (mL)

Final burette 22.40 22.10 22.20

reading (mL)

Volume of 22.40 22.10 22.20

NaOH used
(mL)

Molarity of MAVA= MBVB MAVA= MBVB MAVA= MBVB

NaOH MB = MB = MB =
solution (0.105mol/L×(20/1000)L (0.105mol/L×(20/1000)L) (0.105mol/L×(20/1000)L
(mol/L) )÷ (22.4/1000)L ÷ (22.1/1000)L )÷ (22.2/1000)L
= 0.0938 = 0.0950 = 0.0946

Table 2.1 : Volume and Molarity of HNO3 and NaOH Solution Used In This Experiment.

Average molarity of NaOH : 0.0945 mol/L

 Formula of acid used : H2SO4 (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) → Na2SO4 (aq) + 2H2O (l)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Volume of H2SO4 20.00 20.00 20.00

used (mL)

Molarity of H2SO4 0.105 0.105 0.105

used (mol/L)

Initial burette 0.00 0.00 0.00

reading (mL)

Final burette 46.70 46.50 46.10

reading (mL)

Volume of NaOH 46.70 46.50 46.10

used (mL)

Molarity of NaOH MAVA ÷ MBVB = ½ MAVA ÷ MBVB = ½ MAVA ÷ MBVB = ½

solution (mol/L)
MB = MB = MB =
(0.105mol/L×(20/1000)L (0.105mol/L×(20/1000)L (0.105mol/L×(20/1000)L
) ÷ ½ × (46.70/1000)L ) ÷ ½ × (46.50/1000)L ) ÷ ½ × (46.10/1000)L
= 0.0899 = 0.0903 = 0.0911

Table 2.2 : Volume and Molarity of H2SO4 and NaOH Solution Used In The Experiment.

Average molarity of NaOH : 0.0904 mol/L

Class results :

HNO3 H2SO4

Volume of NaOH used 22.40 46.70

(mL) 22.10 46.50

22.20 46.10
Table 2.3 : Volume of NaOH Used in Titration with H2SO4 and HNO3 Solution In The
Experiment.
DISCUSSION OF DATA

By neutralising NaOH with HNO3 and H2SO4, an acid-base titration is conducted to

determine an unknown basic concentration. The reaction's indicator, phenolphthalein, is
used to look for discoloration in acidic solutions. Acid with a concentration of 0.105 M
and a volume of 20.0 mL was used for this titration.
To determine the average value of the volume of NaOH used for neutralisation
between HNO3 and NaOH, three trials are conducted. The first trial of this procedure
yields the ideal product when the solution in the Erlenmeyer flask turns from clear to pale
pink. However, on the second and third attempts, we received a deep pink product as a
result, which is referred to as overshoot. In order to achieve pale pink, we therefore tried
repeatedly. The 22.40 mL, 22.10 mL and 22.20 mL volumes of NaOH are recorded
following the process titration. The amount of NaOH that has been recorded will be used
to determine the molarity of NaOH that was used to react with HNO3. The molarity is
0.0938 M, 0.0950 M and 0.0946 M. The average molarity of NaOH was then determined
from all three trial molarities and was discovered to be 0.0945 M concentration of NaOH
used.
To get more precise results for the titration between NaOH and H2SO4, three
additional trials were carried out. We can implement this titration procedure without
incident (overshoot). All three of the volumes we obtained 46.70 mL, 46.50 mL and
46.10 mL had a high level of precision. The average molarity is determined by
calculating the molarity of NaOH per volume, just like in the previous step. We have
obtained the average molarity of NaOH is 0.0904 M from the trials of 0.0899 M, 0.0903
M and 0.0911 M to react with H2SO4.
Based on Table 2.3, it can be seen that the volume of NaOH needed to neutralise
H2SO4 is more than twice as large as the amount needed to neutralise HNO3. This is
because the chemical formula for H2SO4 contains two atomic hydrogens, also known as
protons. This acid is categorised as a diprotic acid because each acid molecule may
contribute two hydrogens or protons to a solution that is in aqueous state or in water.
Therefore, two times as much base (NaOH) is needed to neutralise both the first and
second protons. Nevertheless, after performing the calculations, we discovered that the
volumes of NaOH used in the HNO3 and H2SO4 reactions were relatively close to each
other at 0.0945 M and 0.0904 M, respectively. The values' inequalities could be the result
of occasional errors that cause small variations in the values. End-point error is an
illustration of this error; it happens when we exceed the volume of base in the acid
solution, and it can have an impact on the experiment's results. Additionally, incorrect use
of the apparatus, such as when filling the burette, can result in air bubbles that alter the
way the liquid flows through the burette.
CONCLUSION
To put in a nutshell, the molarity of sodium hydroxide solution obtained from the
experiment is close to each other. This indicates that the experiment is done in high
precision. This can be proven based on the volume of sodium hydroxide solution
obtained and recorded in Table 2.3. There are some dissimilarities of the volume of
sodium hydroxide solution used in the experiment when comparing both the acid solution
used. The volume of sodium hydroxide solution reacted with sulfuric acid is twice the
volume of sodium hydroxide solution reacted with nitric acid. Albeit the difference of the
volume of sodium hydroxide reacted with both acid solutions is apparent, the molarity of
sodium hydroxide calculated is slightly close to each other.
In this experiment there are some possible errors. To reduce the errors, we did
some precautionary steps in order to get a more reliable result. First, rinse burette
thoroughly with sodium hydroxide solution. Next, make sure there are no air bubbles in
the burette. It is also important to avoid splashes of solution in the Erlenmeyer flask.
Moreover, we should read the calibrations on burette at the meniscus level. Titration
mixture also should be swirled gently to avoid splashing of solutions. It is also crucial to
place the Erlenmeyer flask on a white paper.
QUESTIONS
1. HNO3 and H2SO4 have the same molarity. Why did H2SO4 require about twice the
volume of NaOH solution for the titration?
HNO3 and H2SO4 have the same molarity because they have the same number of
moles of solute in a given volume of solution. They are both strong acids, which means
they are completely dissociated in water and provide one mole of H+ ions per mole of
acid. As for the volume of NaOH solution required for titration, H2SO4 is a diprotic acid,
meaning it can donate two H+ ions. Therefore, it requires twice the amount of base
(NaOH) to neutralize both the first and second protons. This is known as the "two-stage
titration" of H2SO4.
2. Explain the effect of each of the following sources of error on the molarity of NaOH as
determined in this experiment stating whether the concentration of NaOH obtained would
be too high or too low.
a. The inner surface of the buret is contaminated with an acid solution.
b. The buret contains a large air bubble in the tip, which disappears in the course of the
titration.
c. A small volume of the acid solution is spilled when you transfer it into the Erlenmeyer
flask.
a) A very small amount of the sodium hydroxide reacts with very small amount of
acid in the burette, due to the neutralized sodium hydroxide which means that it is
slightly diluted, the molarity of the sodium hydroxide decreases.
b) The presence of an air bubble will decrease the molarity of NaOH because it will
show a higher difference of NaOH volume in the burette. The higher volume of
NaOH used, the smaller the molarity.
c) Spilled acid will decrease the molarity of NaOH because it will require less
volume of NaOH titrated into the flask containing acid which will make the
measurement of the molarity of NaOH become smaller.

3. Using the molarity of the NaOH solution obtained from your titration, calculate the
molarity of a 26.0 mL of CH3COOH solution that requires 32.50 mL of NaOH to reach
the endpoint.

M1 (26.00) ÷ (0.0947) (32.50) = 1/1

M1 = 0.1184 M of CH3COOH
REFERENCES

1. Carpenter, M.E. (2019) Errors in titration experiments, Sciencing. Available at:

https://sciencing.com/errors-titration-experiments-8557973.html
2. Chemistry Paper 3, 2019. (n.d.). Waeconline.org.ng.

https://waeconline.org.ng/e-learning/Chemistry/chem328jq1.html

3. Victoria Blackburn.(2023) What is a diprotic acid?, All the Science.