Names: Asis, Janina Marie A.

Obias, Mark Paolo

January 7, 2011 TFEG, Group 3, Mr. Paul Gerald Sanchez EXPERIMENT 6:

Determination of pH through Analysis of Differences in Hue Intensity Upon the Addition of Acid-Base Indicators (Colorimetric Determination of pH) I. Abstract

There are different ways by which the pH of a solution can be determined. For this experiment, one qualitative method of determining pH, i.e. the colorimetric method, was utilized. This experiment is basically divided into two parts. The first part of the experiment dealt with the analysis of the differences in the color intensity of a set of McIlvaine buffers with given pH upon addition of an indicator. The second part of the experiment dealt with the identification of the pH of different solutions by using different indicators. II. Keywords: acid-base indicator, buffer, colorimetry, Henderson-Hasselbach equation, pH

III. Introduction The pH is the measure of the activity of dissolved hydronium ions in a solution. In simpler terms, it is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution and may be computed by getting the negative logarithm of the concentration of hydronium ions present in the solution. There are qualitative and quantitative ways by which the pH of a solution can be determined. One of the most utilized quantitative methods of pH determination is the use of the pH meter. However, the use of glass electrode has certain drawbacks such as the need for a reference electrode, instrumental drift, susceptibility to electrical interference and the need for physical contact with the solution. These drawbacks bring about the need to utilize other methods for determining pH.

For this experiment, a form of qualitative method was used, colorimetric method. Certain indicators are appropriate for different pH. This method has several advantages such as the simplicity of operation, less costly materials and reagents, and the ease of not having the need for physical contact with the solution. Consequently, it has several downsides which include the inaccuracy in pH determination for the pH of the solution will be determined by comparing the color of the solution to some standard of which the decision-making is subjective relative to the person performing the comparison. Nonetheless, this method provides a simpler and more convenient method of determining pH. This experiment aims to explain the colorimetric method of determination of pH, colorimetrically determine the pH of an unknown solution, compare and differentiate the

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hue intensities of solutions with pH plus the proper indicator, and to calculate the acid dissociation constant (Ka) of a weak acid.

IV. Experimental
In separate test tubes, the required volume of 0.1 M Citric Acid and 0.2 M Na2HPO4 were measured and placed as specified in Table 1. Afterwards, 2 drops of the indicator specified in Table 1 were added to each respective test tube.
Table 1. Preparation of McIlvaine buffers and Corresponding Indicators

7 7.2 7.2 7.4 7.4 7.6 7.6 7.8 8

4.12 4.345 4.345 4.54 4.54 4.685 4.685 4.785 4.86

0.88 0.66 0.66 0.46 0.46 0.32 0.32 0.22 0.14

Phenol red Bromothymol bue Phenol red Bromothymol bue Phenol red Bromothymol bue Phenol red Phenol red Phenol red

For the next part of the experiment, 2 drops of each indicator were added to each of the systems indicated in Table 2. The proper indicator for each system was identified then the pH of each system was determined.
Table 2. Systems of which pH is to be Determined Colorimetrically Solution 0.1 M HOAc 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8 mL H2O 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 0.1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8.9 mL H2O 0.1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8.9 mL H2O

pH 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6 6 6.2 6.2 6.4 6.4 6.6 6.8 6.8 7

mL DSP 0.1 0.31 0.53 0.79 1.025 1.235 1.425 1.61 1.775 1.625 2.07 2.205 2.335 2.465 2.575 2.6 2.79 2.9 3.025 3.155 3.155 3.305 3.305 3.46 3.46 3.67 3.86 3.86 4.12

mL CA 4.9 4.69 4.46 4.21 3.98 3.77 3.58 3.39 3.23 3.08 2.93 2.8 2.67 2.54 2.43 2.4 2.21 2.1 1.98 1.85 1.85 1.7 1.7 1.54 1.54 1.33 1.14 1.14 0.88

Indicator Thymol blue Thymol blue Thymol blue Thymol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Bromophenol blue Chlorphenol red Chlorphenol red Chlorphenol red Chlorphenol red Chlorphenol red Chlorphenol red Bromothymol bue Chlorphenol red Chlorphenol red Bromothymol bue Chlorphenol red Chlorphenol red Bromothymol bue Bromothymol bue Phenol red Bromothymol bue

A B C

V. Results The results for the first part of the experiment are illustrated as follows:

Figure 1. Solutions of pH 2.2 to 4.0

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In the determination of the pH of several solutions, the following results were garnered:
Table 3. Table of Calculated and Observed pH of prepared solutions Solution Figure 2. Solutions of pH 4.2 to 5.4 A B 0.1 M HOAc Observed pH 3.4 5 4 Calculated pH XXX 4.75 3.75

1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8 mL H2O 1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 0.1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8.9 mL H2O 0.1mL 0.1 M HOAc + 1mL 0.1 M NaOAc + 8.9 mL H2O

5.75

VII. Discussion
Figure 3. Solutions of pH 5.6 to 6.4

Indicators used in the experiment, also called acid-base indicators, tell us the relative pH of the solutions. They have a specific range of pH values in which once a solution reaches this certain value, a change of color will be apparent. Most indicators are organic compounds which are non-polar, so to as not react with water. The amount of H+ ions in solutions directly affects the indicator. It changes its color relative to the concentration of H+ ions in the solution. The observed pH for 0.01 M HOAc is 3.4, by manipulating the formula pH = -log[M], we can derive the equation [M] = antilog(-pH), using this equation we can compute for the amount of H+ ions in the solutions and later on the Ka for 0.01 M acetic acid. [H+] = antilog (-3.4)

Figure 5. Solutions of pH 6.4 to 7.2

Figure 4. Solutions of pH 7.2 to 8.0

[H+] = 4 x 10-4 M

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Table 4. Computation for Ka of 0.01 M HOAc

initial change equilibrium

[HOAc] 0.01 -4 x 10-4 9.6 x 10-3

[H+] 0 +4 x 10-4 4 x 10-4

[OAc-] 0 +4 x 10-4 4 x 10-4

Ka = 1.67 x 10-5

Solution B, Solutions A to C have different ratios of HOAc and NaOAc. Solution A has equal volumes of both, solution B has more HOAc and lastly, solution C has more NaOAc. To compute for the respective pH of solutions A to C, we will us the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. pH = pKa + log[base]/[acid] The theoretical value of Ka for 0.1 M HOAc is 1.77x10-3, using this value, we can compute for the pH of solutions A, B and C by substituting it in the given equation. pKa = -log(1.77x10-3) pKa = 4.75 For solution A to C, we must first determine the molarity of both HOAc and NaHOAc in the solution, and then substitute it in the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. Solution A, For solution A, with 1 ml 0.1 M HOAc, For solution C,

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1 ml 0.1 M NaOAc and 8 ml of H2O, the calculated pH was 4.75. For solution B, with 1 ml 0.1 M HOAc and 0.1 ml of 0.1 M NaOAc and 8.9 ml of H2O, the calculated pH was 3.75. And lastly, for solution C, with 0.1 ml of 0.1 M HOAc and 1 ml of 0.1 M NaOAc and 8.9 ml of H2O, the calculated pH was 5.75.

The smaller the value of acid base ratio the more negative its logarithm and the lower is its pH value.

VIII. Conclusion and Recommendations The colorimetric determination of pH

The differences in the calculated and observed pH of the three solutions can be explained by the common ion effect. Two compounds with a similar ion tend to compete in terms of dissociation. The compound that dissociates more easily in a solution halts the dissociation of the other. In the solution NaOAc dissociates more easily, the formation of H became less acidic.
+

is a fun and more exciting way to measure the pH of solutions. On the other hand, it is highly qualitative and less efficient compared to the use of a pH meter or other tools for measuring pH values. Since, we rely on ourselves to give an approximation for the pH the solutions, and the approximation might vary from person to person. Indicators are an organic compound that changes its color in solutions within a specific pH range. The common ion effect is well evident in our solutions, since HOAc and NaOAc share a common ion, which means that both compounds tend to fight over dissociation in solutions. The McIlvaine buffer solutions should be prepared carefully and the measurements of the reagents should be exact. A slight discrepancy in the amounts or concentrations could affect the outcome of the solution. The color of the solution might not change or produce a color different from what was intended. IX. References Brown, Theodore, et al. Chemistry: The central science. 8th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2009.

ions were stopped and therefore the solution

Solution B had equal volumes and concentration of both HOAc and NaOAc, and its calculated pH was 4.75. Solution C which had more HOAc than NaOAc was more acidic with a pH of 3.75. Since the solution had more HOAc, there were more H+ ions in the solution, which made it more acidic. Lastly, solution D, which had more NaOAc than HOAc was the least acidic with only a pH of 5.75. It had more NaOAc than HOAc, which means there were less H+ ions in the solutions. This made the solution less acidic. It can also be inferred from the ratio of [acid]/[base] in the computations.

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Chang, R. Chemistry. 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

I hereby certify that I have given substantial contribution to this report.

_______________________ Asis, Janina Marie

______________________ Obias, Mark Paolo

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