Practical Endorsement GCE Chemistry

PAG11 pH measurement
11.1 pH - problem solving
STUDENT

11.1 pH - problem solving STUDENT

Introduction
You will be given a number of colourless solutions of acids and alkalis. Your task is to plan and implement a
practical procedure to work out the identity of each solution.

The following information may or may not be useful to you:

Ethanoic acid has Ka = 1.8 × 10–5 mol dm3

Methanoic acid has Ka = 1.8 × 10–4 mol dm3

Ammonia reacts with water to form hydroxide ions as shown in the following equation:

NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH–

At any one time, only about 1% of the ammonia molecules have reacted to form OH ions.

Aims
 To use an investigative approach to determine the identity of a number of unknown solutions, knowing
that they are solutions of acids and alkalis.

Intended class time

 1 hour + planning time

Chemicals
You are provided with

Solutions A–G in no particular order All solution should be treated as

- ammonia, NH3(aq), 0.1 mol dm–3 IRRITANT
- ethanoic acid, CH3COOH(aq), 0.1 mol dm–3
- ethanoic acid / sodium ethanoate, CH3COOH (aq) /
CH3COONa(aq), 0.1 mol dm–3 / 0.1 mol dm–3 (1 : 1)
- hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq), 0.1 mol dm–3
- methanoic acid, HCOOH(aq), 0.1 mol dm–3
- sodium hydroxide, NaOH(aq), 0.1 mol dm–3
- sulfuric acid, H2SO4(aq), 0.1 mol dm–3
Aqueous hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq), 0.5 mol dm3 No hazard classification at this
concentration

Aqueous sodium hydroxide, NaOH(aq), 0.5 mol dm3 DANGER

Causes severe skin

burns and eye damage

Phenolphthalein indicator Check the supplier label – hazard

depends on concentration and
Pink-> alkali solvent.

© OCR 2015 v0.1 August 2015

 Practical Endorsement GCE Chemistry
PAG11 pH measurement
11.1 pH - problem solving
STUDENT

Equipment
You are provided with the following, and should select what you need.
 pH probe / meter or other method for measuring pH
 distilled water in a wash bottle
 several plastic dropping pipettes
 suitable containers for making pH measurements depending on the method used.

Health & Safety

 Wear eye protection throughout.
 Wear goggles and chemical-resistant gloves when handling 0.5 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide.

Procedure

Before starting the experimental work, read through the steps below and organize how you will carry out the
experiment. You will need to decide what method to use for the investigation, what measurements to taken, and
choose the most appropriate apparatus. Record all your readings in appropriate format.

1. Plan a simple procedure to collect the evidence needed to propose the identities of the seven solutions. You
should use your knowledge of acids, bases and buffers to plan your procedure and interpret your results. Aim
for three pieces of evidence for each solution. If you are stuck at any point, ask your teacher for pointers /
clues.
2. Carry out your procedure and record your observations. You should try to work in such a way as to make your
results as accurate as possible.

Analysis of your results

1. Complete a list of proposed identities for the seven solutions. Have the list checked by your teacher. It is
helpful to write down all your thought processes in working out which solution is which – this could form the
basis for a useful discussion with your teacher and fellow learners.

Extension Opportunities
1. Calculate the expected pH values of the different solutions.
2. Compare the calculated values to your measured values. Are there any differences?
3. What can you conclude about the accuracy of your measurements?
4. Why do you think you were told to collect three pieces of evidence for each solution? Would you have been
able to identify all the solutions with just one piece of evidence?
5. How could the experimental procedure/apparatus used be changed to support the collection of more reliable
evidence? What are the benefits of performing an experiment like this with very basic apparatus as you have
done in this experiment?
6. How effective are acidic and basic buffers at resisting changes in pH when small amounts of acid and base are
added, compared with solutions of the weak acid or base on their own?

To submit
For this piece of work to count towards Practical Activity Group 11 of the GCE Chemistry Practical Endorsement,
you should have evidence of your plans and any adaptations you made, records of your observations and
measurements, and your proposed identities of the seven solutions. You should have considered the extension
questions as the answers will aid you in preparation for your written examinations.

© OCR 2015 v0.1 August 2015