Chemistry 1061: Experiment 3
Mahzeb Khan
22036115
Title:
Determination of pKa and pKb using Acid-Base titrations
Objective:
To determine the concentrations and equilibrium constants for acetic acid and aqueous ammonia
using titration curves.
Procedure:
A: Preparation of Acetic Acid
1. 10mL of concentrated acetic acid was obtained in a 50mL beaker
2. A graduated cylinder was used to add about 20mL of distilled water to a 100mL
volumetric flask.
3. Using a pipette, 5.00mL of the concentrated acetic acid solution was transferred into the
volumetric flask. It was swirled to mix the contents.
4. The volumetric flask was carefully filled to the mark with distilled water, the flask was
covered and mixed well.
B: Titration of Acetic Acid with NaOH (Weak Acid-Strong Base titration)
1. 10mL of distilled water was added to a 250mL erlenmeyer flask using a graduated
cylinder.
2. Using a pipette, 20.00mL of the diluted acetic acid solution was added into the 250mL
erlenmeyer flask
3. A titration system with 0.100M NaOH in the buret was set up. A pH meter was used to
monitor and record the pH of the system during addition of the base.
4. NaOH was added in 1mL increments until the pH of the solution reached 5. The total
volume of base added and the pH of the solution after each 1mL addition was recorded.
5. When the pH of the solution reached 5, the NaOH was added in 0.10mL increments until
the equivalence point was passed.
6. Once the equivalence point was passed, NaOH was added in 1mL increments until the
pH changed minimally with each addition of titrant.
7. A graph was constructed for the titration by plotting pH (y-axis) versus volume of NaOH
added (x-axis)
C: Titration of Ammonia with HCl (Strong Acid-Weak Base titration)
1. 35mL of aqueous ammonia was obtained in a 250mL beaker. The beaker was labeled and
the concentration of the solution was recorded.
2. Using a pipette, 20.00mL of the ammonia solution was transferred into a 250mL
erlenmeyer flask and a titration system with 0.100M HCl in the buret was set up.
3. The HCl was added in 1mL increments until the pH of the solution reached 9. The total
volume of base added and the pH of the solution after each 1mL addition was recorded.
4. When the pH of the solution reached 8, the HCl was added in 0.10mL increments until
the equivalence point was passed.
5. When the equivalence point was passed, HCl was added in 1mL increments until the pH
changed minimally with each addition of titrant.
6. A graph was constructed for the titration by plotting pH (y-axis) versus volume of HCl
added (x-axis).
Results:
a. Data Collection
Figure 1: Weak Acid-Strong Base titration
Figure 2: Strong Acid-Weak Base titration
b. Calculations
Discussion:
When compared to the aqueous ammonia-hydrochloric acid titration curve, the sodium
hydroxide-acetic acid titration curve has a lower beginning pH and a higher equivalence point
(Figures 1 and 2). As the equivalence point is near, the pH of the NaOH-CH3COOH titration
curve rises from its starting pH. On the other hand, when it gets closer to the equivalence point,
the pH of the NH3-HCl titration curve falls from its initial value. Following the equivalence
point, the pH of the NaOH-CH3COOH titration curve rises and then stays constant. The pH of
the NH3-HCl titration curve also drops following the equivalence point before remaining
constant. Acetic acid's experimental pKa value was 4.65 and its accepted pKa value was 4.7,
making the percentage error 1.1%. However, the experimental pKb value for ammonium ion was
4.3, while its accepted pKb value was 4.75, giving a slightly higher percentage error of 9.5%.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we were able to investigate the concentrations and equilibrium constants
for acetic acid and aqueous ammonia using titration curves. Although we got a higher percentage
of error when calculating the pKb value for the ammonium ion, this could have been due to The
use of ammonia, hydrochloric acid, or contaminated equipment that may have caused
experimental errors. Nevertheless, the experiment's goals were met, and we were able to obtain
titration curves that were an accurate representation of the relationship between a strong base and
weak acid, and strong acid and weak base.
Appendix:
Raw Data: Experiment B (Weak Acid-Strong Base titration)
Raw Data: Experiment C (Strong Acid-Weak Base titration)
