ASN SENIOR SECONDARY

SCHOOL

CHEMISTRY
INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT WORK
(2014-15)
ABHISHEK AGRAWAL
XII C
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Roll No. :

Investigatory Project
On
Study the Determination of
amount of acetic acid and its
pH in vinegar
SUBMITTED TO: Mr. SANDEEP RATHI

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CONTENTS
Certificate
Acknowledgement

4
5

Aim
Introduction
Characteristics and safety tips

6
7

for chemicals
Materials Required
Theory
Experimental Procedure
Observations and Calculations
Conclusion
Precaution
Bibliography

8
9
10
12
13
14
15
16

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this investigatory chemistry
project

on

DETERMINATION

OF

AMOUNT

OF

ACETIC ACID AND ITS pH IN VINEGAR is done

under my guidance and presence by ABHISHEK
AGRAWAL of class XII C within the stipulated
time in academic year 2014-15.

Subject Teacher
(Mr. S. Rathi)

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

It is my duty to record my sincere thanks and

deep sense of gratitude to my respected
teacher Mr. SANDEEP RATHI for his valued
guidance,

interest

encouragement

for

the

and
fulfillment

constant
of

the

project.

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Aim
Measuring the amount of acetic acid in household
vinegar and finding its pH by titrating with an
indicator solution

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Introduction
Vinegar is a solution made from the fermentation of ethanol (CH 3CH2OH), which in
turn was previously fermented from sugar. The fermentation of ethanol results in
the production of acetic acid (CH 3COOH). There are many different original sugar
sources (e.g. rice, wine, malt, etc.). The amount of acetic acid in vinegar can
vary, typically 4% to 6% for table vinegar, but up to three times higher (18%) for
pickling vinegar.
In this project, I will determine the amount of acid in vinegar using titration, a
common technique in chemistry. Titration is a way to measure the unknown amount
of a chemical in a solution (the titrant) by adding a measured amount of a chemical
with a known concentration (the titrating solution). The titrating solution reacts with
the titrant, and the end point of the reaction is monitored. The concentration of the
titrant can now be calculated from the amount of titrating solution added, and the
ratio of the two chemicals in the chemical equation for the reaction.
To measure the acidity of a vinegar solution, we can add enough hydroxyl ions to
balance out the added hydrogen ions from the acid. The hydroxyl ions will react
with the hydrogen ions to produce water. The apparatus needed consists of three
main things:
1. A titration solution (containing hydroxyl ions with a known concentration)
2. A method for delivering a known volume of the titrating solution
3. A means of indication when the endpoint is reached
In this project, I have used dilute solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Sodium
hydroxide is a strong base, which means that it dissociates almost completely in
water. Every NaOH molecule that we add to the solution, a hydroxyl ion is
produced.
To dispense a measured volume of the titrating solution, I have used a burette. A
burette is along tube with a valve at the bottom and graduated markings on the
outside to measure the volume (in mL) of the solution contained in it. The burette is
mounted on a clamp stand, directly above the titrant solution (as shown in the
picture).
I have used phenolphthalein as an indicator. Phenolphthalein is colorless when
added to a acidic or neutral solution. It turns pinkish when added to a basic
solution. When vinegar solution starts to turn pink, it indicates that endpoint is
reached.

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Characteristics and safety tips for

chemicals
Sodium Hydroxide NaOH (0.1M)
Clear, colorless basic solution, odorless
Slightly toxic by inhalation and ingestion, avoid body contact
Non combustible
If inhaled, remove to fresh air at once; if ingested, drink lots of water; for
tissue contact, flush constantly with water for at least 15 minutes
Vinegar (CH3COOH)

Clear liquid with a strong acetic acid smell

Not hazardous, but continuous inhalation may cause irritation
Nonflammable and Non combustible
If inhaled, remove to fresh air at once; if ingested, drink lots of water; for
tissue contact, flush constantly with water for at least 15 minutes

Phenolphthalein

Color differs depending on the solution to which it is added

Colorless, clear solution in neutral or acid solution
Pink to deep red in the presence of a large amount of alkali
Smells like alcohol
Toxic and flammable
If inhaled, remove to fresh air at once; if ingested, drink lots of water; for
tissue contact, flush constantly with water for at least 15 minutes

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Materials and Equipments Required

Vinegar (household)
Distilled water
0.5% phenolphthalein solution
0.1M sodium hydroxide solution
Conical flask
50 mL burette
10 mL pipette
Clamp stand

Theory
Calculating Molarity and Strength of Acetic aid

Required amount of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) :

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W (gram) =

Molarity Molar Mass

Volume ( mL )
1000

{Molar mass of NaOH = 40 g/mol}

=

0.1 40

50
1000

= 0.2 g

The acetic acid content of vinegar is determined by titrating it with NaOH

solution
CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq)

CH3COONa (aq) + H2O (l)

Hence, at the endpoint in the titration stoichiometry between the both

solutions is 1:1 ratio

M ( CH 3 COOH ) V (CH 3COOH )

M ( NaOH ) V (NaOH )

=1

Strength of acid in vinegar can be determined by the following formula:

Strength of acid = M (CH3COOH) 60

Calculation of pH of Acetic Acid solution

The pH of acetic acid can also be calculated by finding the value of H+
concentration. The equation for the dissociation of acetic acid is
CH3COOH CH3COO- + H+
The initial value for CH3COOH is the molarity calculated, say C, and zero for
CH3COO- and H+. An x minus from molarity of acetic acid and added to acetate
ion and hydronium ion. The value of the acetic acids Ka is 1.8 10 -5. The
equation is then solved for x, ignoring the x in the denominator. Since the
molarity of a single x is molarity of H+( [H+] ).

Initially

CH3COOH
C

CH3COO0

H+
0
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At Equilibrium

C-x

CH 3 COO

H+

Ka=
1.8 10-5 = X2/ (C-x)
X2 = 1.8 10-5 C
[H+] =

1.8 105 C

pH = -log[H+]

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Experimental procedure

Take a conical flask

Pour 10 ml of vinegar in the flask with the help of pipette
Add 2 to 3 drops of phenolphthalein solution
Take the burette and attach it to the clamp stand. The opening at the bottom of

burette should be just above the height of the conical flask.

Fill the burette with a 0.1M Sodium Hydroxide solution till the zero mark
Put flask containing vinegar solution under the burette
Slowly drip the solution of sodium hydroxide into vinegar solution. Swirl the flask
gently to mix the solution, while keeping the opening of flask underneath the

burette
At some point a pink color in the vinegar solution appears when sodium

hydroxide solution is added, but the color will disappear as the solution is mixed.
When the vinegar solution turns pink and remains that color even after mixing,

the titration is complete. Close the tap of the burette

Note the reading of lower meniscus of sodium hydroxide solution in the burette.
Repeat the process till the concordant value is obtained

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Observations
S.No.
1
2
3

Volume of vinegar
solution used (in
mL)
10.0
10.0
10.0

Burette reading
Initial (in mL)

Final (in mL)

Volume of NaOH
solution used (mL)

0.0
9.7
19.5

9.7
19.5
29.3

9.7
9.8
9.8

Calculations
We know that M (CH3COOH) V (CH3COOH) = M (NaOH) V (NaOH)
M (CH3COOH)

M ( NaOH ) V ( NaOH )
V (CH 3COOH )

M (CH3COOH)

0.1 M 9.8 mL
10 mL

M (CH3COOH)

0.098 mol/L

Strength of acetic acid

0.098 60 g/L

5.88 g/L

pH of acetic acid
Ka

1.8 10-5

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CH 3 COO

H+

Ka=
1.8 10-5 = x2 / (0.098 x)
X2 = (1.8 10-5)(0.098)
[H+] =

1.8 105 0.098

pH = -log[H+] = 5.7

Result

Molarity of house hold vinegar = 0.098 mol/L

Strength of acetic acid in house hold vinegar = 5.88 g/L
pH of solution is = 5.7

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Precautions

Transfer the measured vinegar into a conical flask very carefully

Measuring must be performed carefully
Look at the meniscus of the solution at eye level to avoid parallax
Look at lower meniscus in the light colored or colorless solution and upper

meniscus in the dark colored solution because of visibility

Do not forget to add distilled water to vinegar

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Bibliography

Comprehensive practical chemistry for class 12

Chemistry resources at BPC: table of Ka values for common monoprotic

acids.
Flinn scientific , Inc. Material safety data sheet
www.icbse.com
Google images
NCERT textbook for class 12

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