Standardization and Safety Procedures in Laboratory: Experiment on Acid-Base Titration
Experiment Overview
This experiment demonstrates the standardization of a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution against a known concentration of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) standard solution. The standardized NaOH solution will then be used to determine the concentration of an unknown hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.
Materials and Equipment
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pellets
- Potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) standard solution (known concentration, e.g., 0.1 M)
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution (unknown concentration)
- Phenolphthalein indicator solution
- Burette (50 mL)
- Erlenmeyer flasks (250 mL)
- Pipettes (25 mL)
- Magnetic stirrer and stir bars
- Analytical balance
- Wash bottle with distilled water
- Safety goggles
- Lab coat
- Gloves
Procedure
1. Preparation of NaOH Solution:
- Carefully weigh approximately 4 grams of NaOH pellets using an analytical balance. Record the exact mass.
- Dissolve the weighed NaOH pellets in approximately 50 mL of distilled water in a beaker. Stir gently until completely dissolved. Avoid splashing.
- Quantitatively transfer the solution to a 100 mL volumetric flask. Rinse the beaker with several portions of distilled water and add the rinsings to the volumetric flask.
- Fill the volumetric flask to the 100 mL mark with distilled water. Stopper the flask and invert several times to ensure thorough mixing.
- Label the flask clearly as "NaOH solution – Approximate Concentration".
2. Standardization of NaOH Solution:
- Pipette 25.00 mL of the KHP standard solution into an Erlenmeyer flask.
- Add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator to the KHP solution.
- Fill the burette with the prepared NaOH solution. Record the initial burette reading.
- Add the NaOH solution from the burette to the KHP solution dropwise while swirling the flask gently. Near the endpoint, add the NaOH solution drop by drop.
- The endpoint is reached when a faint pink color persists for at least 30 seconds. Record the final burette reading.
- Repeat steps 1-5 at least two more times to obtain consistent results.
3. Determination of Unknown HCl Concentration:
- Pipette 25.00 mL of the unknown HCl solution into a clean Erlenmeyer flask.
- Add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator.
- Fill the burette with the *standardized* NaOH solution and record the initial burette reading.
- Titrate the HCl solution with the standardized NaOH solution as described in step 2 above.
- Record the final burette reading and repeat the titration at least two more times.
Calculations:
1. Standardization of NaOH Solution:
Molarity of KHP standard solution = Known concentration (e.g., 0.1 M)
Moles of KHP = Molarity of KHP × Volume of KHP (in L)
Moles of NaOH = Moles of KHP (since the mole ratio is 1:1)
Molarity of NaOH solution = Moles of NaOH / Volume of NaOH used (in L)
Example:
If the molarity of the KHP standard solution is 0.1 M, and the average volume of NaOH used is 24.75 mL (0.02475 L):
Moles of KHP = 0.1 M × 0.025 L = 0.0025 moles
Moles of NaOH = 0.0025 moles
Molarity of NaOH = 0.0025 moles / 0.02475 L = 0.101 M
2. Determination of Unknown HCl Concentration:
Molarity of standardized NaOH solution = (Calculated from standardization)
Moles of NaOH = Molarity of NaOH × Volume of NaOH used (in L)
Moles of HCl = Moles of NaOH (since the mole ratio is 1:1)
Molarity of HCl solution = Moles of HCl / Volume of HCl used (in L)
Example:
If the average volume of standardized NaOH solution (0.101 M) used is 20.35 mL (0.02035 L):
Moles of NaOH = 0.101 M × 0.02035 L = 0.002055 moles
Moles of HCl = 0.002055 moles
Molarity of HCl = 0.002055 moles / 0.025 L = 0.0822 M
Key Procedures:
- Accurate weighing and measuring of chemicals and solutions using appropriate equipment.
- Careful addition of NaOH solution to the KHP and HCl solutions to ensure accuracy.
- Precise observation of the color change at the endpoint.
- Proper calculations to determine the concentrations of NaOH and HCl solutions.
Significance:
- Standardization of NaOH solution ensures its accurate concentration for various analytical purposes.
- Determination of unknown HCl concentration allows for precise quantification of acids in different samples.
- Following proper safety procedures is crucial to prevent accidents and maintain a safe laboratory environment.