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0 Abstract
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the molarity of acetic acid and to calculate the
dissociation constant (Ka). Titration is a method used in measuring the amount of an analytical
reagent necessary to react quantitatively with the sample. Therefore, to determine the molarity of
acetic acid, 0.01M of acetic acid solution and 0.05M of sodium hydroxide were prepared. 10 ml
of acetic acid and 50 ml of distilled water were poured into 100 ml conical flask. Four to five drop
of phenolphthalein indicator was added into the same conical flask. Then, 50 ml of sodium
hydroxide were used to fill up the burette. Sodium hydroxide was titrated into the conical flask
until the entire solution change from colourless to very pale pink and the volume of sodium
hydroxide used were recorded. On the other hand, to determine the disassociation constant (Ka) of
acetic acid, small amount (less than 1 mL) of sodium hydroxide were titrated into the conical flask.
The pH paper was inserted into the solution and the pH value was recorded. The step was repeated
until the entire solution turns from colourless to very pale pink. Then, sodium hydroxide was
continued added until the pH value remained constant as a pH of 11-12. The Ka value obtained in
this experiment was 1x10 -10. Therefore, this can be conclude that by using the weak acid (acetic
acid) cause lower rate of acid dissociation. The equivalence point, or stoichiometric point, of
a chemical reaction is the point at which chemically equivalent quantities of bases and acids have
been mixed.
2.0 Introduction
The laboratory method used in this experiment is titration. Titration is a method used in
measuring the amount of an analytical reagent necessary to react quantitatively with the sample.
Acid-base titrations are important for counting concentrations of acids and bases. The point at
which the equivalence point has been reached is called the theoretical end point, knowledge of the
equivalence point will be used to obtain information about the acid dissociation constant, Ka, of
the acid being titrated [1]. The titration is detected by some physical change, such as colour change,
to indicate the end point. The indicator solution is used in this experiment is phenolphthalein which
is a colourless in acidic solution. When the reaction reached the endpoint, the solution becomes
pale pink. A little bit of phenolphthalein are sufficient for the titration. Addition of too much
phenolphthalein will necessitate an indicator blank. The indicator should give a clear visual change
in the liquid being titrated once the reaction between the standard solution and the substance is
practically complete [2]. The indicators can change colour because their ions have colours that are
different from the undissociates molecule. The pH versus the volume of (NaOH) titration added
can be plotted on what is called a titration curve. In this case the equivalence point occurs at the
point where very small additions of titrate cause a very rapid rise in the pH.
3.0 Methodology
1. 0.01M acetic acid solution and 0.05M Sodium Hyroxide solution were prepared.
2. 10mL of 0.01M aqueous acetic acid is added into a 100mL conical flask.
6. The solution is titrated until light pink colour appears. Molarity of acetic acid is calculated.
3. PH vs. Volume of NaOH added recorded. NaOH is added in small amount and pH is recorded
using pH paper.
10
8
pH
Equivalent
4 point
2 initial point
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Volume of NaOH (mL)
-
CH3COOH + H2O CH3COO + H3O+
Ka = [CH3COO-][ H3O+]
[CH3COOH]
Log[H3O+] = -pH = -6
[H3O+] = 10-6 = x
[3 ][3 + ]
Ka =
[3 ]
=
0.01
(106 )
=
0.01106
106 106
=
0.01106
= 1 X 10-10
5.0 Discussion
Through the curve obtained from graph 3.1 it can be concluded that the solutions were
made from a weak acid and a strong base. This can be determined by acknowledging the changing
in pH as the NaOH solution was being added. Since the graph begins at a very low pH of 3, the
base solution must be a strong base. However, the pH value after being titrated was not high to
really show that it was a strong acid.
By using the pH obtained from the graph 3.1 which was pH of 6, the Ka value was
calculated. Ka, the acid ionization constant, is the equilibrium constant for chemical reactions
involving weak acids in aqueous solution. The numerical value of Ka is used to predict the extent
of acid dissociation. A large Ka value indicates a stronger acid (more of the acid dissociates) and
small Ka value indicates a weaker acid (less of the acid dissociates)[3]. In this experiment, the Ka
value obtained was 1x10-10. Therefore, this can be conclude that by using the weak acid (acetic
acid) cause lower rate of acid dissociation.
6.0 Conclusion
1. https://www.britannica.com/science/titration
2. http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/acidbaseeqia/phcurves.html
3. https://chem.libretexts.org/Core/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry/Acids_and_Bases/
Ionization_Constants/Calculating_A_Ka_Value_From_A_Measured_Ph
4. Chemistry LibreTexts. (2017). Calculating a Ka Value from a Known pH. [online] Available at:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Core/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry/Acids_and_Bases/Ionizatio
n_Constants/Calculating_A_Ka_Value_From_A_Measured_Ph [Accessed 22 Oct. 2017].