Investigating The Ph With Potentiometric Measurement Using A Ph Meter And Electrode

1. To titrate a hydrochloric acid solution of “unknown” concentration with standardized 0.5M sodium hydroxide.

Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this experiment is to use both cabbage juice and pH paper to determine the pH of household items. This way, we can tell which products are basic and which one are acidic. If we use cabbage juice as an universal pH indicator by comparing it to pH paper then pH determined by the cabbage juice will be unstable because by using cabbage juice, it can be different depending on how diluted it is.

PH sensors are used in many scientific laboratories to measure the hydrogen-ion concentration of a liquid substance and to determine the basicity and acidity of a liquid. PH meters measure the electrical potential difference between a reference electrode probe and a pH electrode probe. Since these probes are very sensitive, they are required to be kept cleansed from contaminants. If exposed to contamination, one risks faulty or unreliable data, since their accuracy is dependent on a regular calibration and upkeep. To avoid this risk, and accurately measure hydrogen-ion concentration, the probes are kept in a buffer solution and calibrated before each use. [1]

pH was recorded every time 1.00 mL of NaOH was added to beaker. When the amount of NaOH added to the beaker was about 5.00 mL away from the expected end point, NaOH was added very slowly. Approximately 0.20 mL of NaOH was added until the pH made a jump. The pH was recorded until it reached ~12. This was repeated two more times. The pKa of each trial are determined using the graphs made on excel.

1. What was the purpose of using water as a sample in some of the tests performed in the lab? (2 points) to have a control.

In 2 and 7 I added 50 mL of .1 M NaCl. I added sodium acetate to the rest of the beakers: 1 gram to 3 and 8, 5 grams to 4 and 9, and 10 grams to 5 and 10. I then filled the beakers that contained the solid sodium acetate with 50 ml of .10 M acetic acid. Specifics can be found on page 84 of the lab manual. Though the lab manual instructed to use a pipet, we did not have an accurate 1 mL pipet or a graduated pipet, so we instead prepared two graduated burets with 1 M Sodium Hydroxide and 1 M hydrochloric acid. Using a standardized pH probe with a Lab Pro to measure changes in pH, we added 1 mL of HCl at a time and recorded the changes. The same was done for the NaOH.

To improve the results from the experiment buffer solutions that were not whole pHs could have been used e.g. pH 4.5, 5.5 etc. This would have provided more reliable results as a wider range of results would have been produced. Using pHs with decimals would also help to more accurately determine the optimum pH as the optimum may have been above or below the pH stated in the hypothesis; 8. In this experiment however the optimum is taken at 8 because the graph does not rise again.

Table 2: Consists of color extract taken from a red cabbage for a natural indicator. The pH reading that was measured by using the pH meter and the result of the pH reading to determine whether the solution was acidic or basic.

Title: Using pHydrion paper to test the pH of vinegar, distilled water, laundry detergent, milk, NaOH, Mr. Clean, Baking Soda, Ammonia, 7up, Gatorade, and 4 unknown substances.

To begin, three sets ofabout 0.3000g of KHP are weighed out on an analytical balance. Put the three sets of KHP into three separate, labeled flasks. All three sets of the KHP is then dissolved with approximately 50mL of deionized water. Next, a buret is used to start the actual titration. Buret is initially filled to 0.00mL mark with the NaOH solution, this is recorded as initial volume. Next, add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator into each of the three flasks containing KHP. A magnetic stir bar is then added to the first flask, and placed above a stir plate. Everything is positioned under the buret. Stirrer is put on medium speed and the titration can start. Slowly release the NaOH into the KHP flask. As the end point is reached, a pink color will be seen in the flask. When the lightest pink possible remains in the solution for more than 30 seconds titration is complete. The final volume is recorded, and the same steps are taken for the other two sets of KHP solution. Finally, blank titration is completed to determine deviation.

The instrument used was a potentiostat with a glassy carbon working electrode, platinum auxiliary electrode, and silver/silver chloride reference electrode. This instrument is being used due to its ability to simultaneously collect data from both diphenylamine and copper with the addition of an acetate buffer. Microsoft excel was used in order to plot the data and simple calculations1.

First, three titration curves and three second derivative curves were created to determine the average pH at the half-equivalence point from the acetic acid titrations. Titration curves were used as visuals to portray buffer capacity. The graphs and a table, Table 1, that showcased the values collected were created and included below. The flat region, the middle part, of Figures 1, 2 and 3, showed the zone at which the addition of a base or acid did not cause changes in pH. Once surpassed, the pH increased rapidly when a small amount of base, NaOH, was added to the buffer solution. Using the figures below and

From the data collected during this experiment, results concluded that the average concentration of the unknown solution of NaOH (aq) (Unknown A) was 0.0755 M. When compared to the true concentration of NaOH, 0.075M, I would say that our experiment and results were accurate being that the average concentration of NaOH found was just 0.0005M more than the true concentration of NaOH. I would also say that our results were precise because without including our titration 1 (which was our baseline), our titration 2 and titration 3 had a 0.0006M difference. Additionally, our average percent error was determined to be 0.67% therefore proving that our results not only were accurate but also precise. In order to find the initial concentration of the NaOH base, we first collecting the initial and final HCl buret readings for all three titrations.

2. Following solutions are added to the tubes and the pH of each tube is determined:

For this experiment, a pH meter was used so this part of the experiment began with the calibration of the pH meter with specified buffers. The buret was then filled with the standard HCl solution and a set-up for titration was prepared. 200g of the carbonate-bicarbonate solid sample was weighed and dissolved in 100 mL of distilled water. The sample solution was then transferred into a 250-ml volumetric flask and was diluted to the 250-mL mark. The flask was inverted several times for uniform mixing. A 50-mL aliquot of the sample solution was measured and placed unto a beaker. 3 drops of the phenolphthalein indicator was added to the solution in the beaker. The electrode of the pH meter was then immersed in the beaker and the solution containing the carbonate-bicarbonate mixture was titrated with the standard HCl solution to the phenolphthalein endpoint. Readings of the pH were taken at an interval of 0.5 mL addition of the titrant. After the first endpoint is obtained, 3 drops of the methyl orange was added to the same solution and was titrated with the standard acid until the formation of an orange-colored solution. Readings of the pH were also taken at 0.5 mL addition of the titrant.