🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. The hardness of water is primarily due to:

o a) Sodium and potassium ions

o b) Calcium and magnesium ions

o c) Iron and zinc ions

o d) Ammonium and nitrate ions

👉 Answer: b) Calcium and magnesium ions

2. Which reagent is used to complex metal ions in this experiment?

o a) NaOH

o b) NH₄Cl

o c) EDTA

o d) HCl
👉 Answer: c) EDTA

3. What is the color change observed at the end point of the titration?

o a) Blue to red

o b) Red to blue

o c) Green to yellow

o d) Blue to green
👉 Answer: b) Red to blue

4. Which indicator is used in the titration?

o a) Methyl orange

o b) Phenolphthalein

o c) Erichrome Black-T

o d) Bromothymol blue
👉 Answer: c) Erichrome Black-T

5. What should be the pH range for EDTA to function properly in this titration?

o a) 4–6

o b) 6–8

o c) 8–10

o d) 10–12
👉 Answer: c) 8–10
✍️Fill in the Blanks

1. The hardness of water is expressed in terms of _______.

👉 Answer: ppm (parts per million)

2. EDTA forms _______ complexes with calcium and magnesium ions.

👉 Answer: stable

3. The buffer solution used is a mixture of _______ and _______.

👉 Answer: NH₄Cl and NH₄OH

4. The indicator used in the titration is _______.

👉 Answer: Erichrome Black-T

5. At the end point of titration, the solution turns from _______ to _______.
👉 Answer: wine red to blue

Very Short Answer Questions – With Answers

1. What is the unit of hardness of water?

👉 ppm (parts per million)

2. What is the color change at the endpoint of the titration?

👉 Wine red to blue

3. Name the indicator used in this experiment.

👉 Erichrome Black-T

4. What is the role of buffer solution?

👉 To maintain the pH at 10 (alkaline condition) necessary for EDTA to react effectively

5. What is the pH of the buffer used in this experiment?

👉 10

6. What is the chemical name of EDTA?

👉 Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

7. What is the color of Erichrome Black-T in presence of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺?

👉 Wine red

8. What is the standard solution used in this titration?

👉 Standard hard water (S.H.W.)

🔹 Short Answer Questions – With Answers

1. What causes hardness in water?

👉 Dissolved calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) salts, especially chlorides and sulfates.

2. How is temporary and permanent hardness different?

👉 Temporary hardness is due to bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium and can be
removed by boiling. Permanent hardness is caused by chlorides and sulfates and requires
chemical treatment for removal.
 3. Why is buffer solution added during the titration?
👉 To maintain the pH at 10, which is essential for the proper functioning of EDTA and
Erichrome Black-T.

4. Write the reaction between Ca²⁺ and EDTA.

👉 Ca²⁺ + EDTA²⁻ → [Ca–EDTA] complex

5. What is the function of Erichrome Black-T indicator in this titration?

👉 It forms a wine-red complex with metal ions. At the endpoint, when metal ions are fully
complexed with EDTA, it changes to blue.

6. What is standard hard water? How is it prepared?

👉 Standard hard water is a solution with known concentration of CaCO₃ (e.g., 1 mg CaCO₃
per mL = 1000 ppm). It is prepared by dissolving a known mass of dry CaCO₃ in dilute HCl,
boiling off CO₂, and making up the volume with distilled water.

🔹 Long Answer Questions – With Sample Answers

1. Explain the principle of EDTA titration used to determine water hardness.

👉 The hardness of water is due to Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. EDTA, a chelating agent, binds with
these ions to form stable, colorless complexes. The titration is done in pH-10 buffer using
Erichrome Black-T as an indicator. Initially, the solution is wine red due to metal-indicator
complex. As EDTA is added, it replaces the metal ions from the indicator complex. At the
endpoint, all metal ions are complexed with EDTA, and the indicator is free, giving a blue
color.

2. Describe the procedure to standardize EDTA using standard hard water.

👉 25 mL of standard hard water is pipetted into a conical flask. 2 mL buffer solution (pH-10)
and 4 drops of Erichrome Black-T are added. The solution is titrated with EDTA from a burette
until the color changes from wine red to blue. The volume of EDTA used gives the
concentration relation between S.H.W and EDTA.

3. Describe the complete procedure to determine the total hardness of water using EDTA.
👉 25 mL of the unknown hard water sample is pipetted into a conical flask. Add 2 mL of
buffer (pH-10) and 4 drops of Erichrome Black-T. Titrate with previously standardized EDTA
until the color changes from wine red to blue. Repeat for concordant readings and calculate
hardness based on EDTA volume used.

4. What is the role of EDTA in the titration? Explain with reactions.

👉 *EDTA acts as a chelating agent and forms 1:1 complexes with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺:

o Ca²⁺ + EDTA²⁻ → Ca–EDTA

o Mg²⁺ + EDTA²⁻ → Mg–EDTA

This removes metal ions from the solution, and the endpoint is detected by a color
change of the indicator.*

🔹 Calculation-Based Example

Given:
  25 mL of standard hard water (containing 1 mg CaCO₃/mL) required 10 mL of EDTA.

 25 mL of sample water required 15 mL of EDTA.

Find total hardness in ppm:

Hardness (ppm)=Volume of EDTA used for sampleVolume of EDTA used for standard×1000\
text{Hardness (ppm)} = \frac{\text{Volume of EDTA used for sample}}{\text{Volume of EDTA used for
standard}} \times
1000Hardness (ppm)=Volume of EDTA used for standardVolume of EDTA used for sample×1000
=1510×1000=1500 ppm= \frac{15}{10} \times 1000 = 1500\ \text{ppm}=1015×1000=1500 ppm

🔹 Viva Questions – With Answers

1. Why do we use EDTA instead of other chelating agents?

👉 EDTA forms very stable complexes with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, ensuring accurate titration.

2. What are the types of hardness in water?

👉 Temporary hardness and permanent hardness.

3. What is permanent hardness and how can it be removed?

👉 Hardness caused by sulfates and chlorides of Ca and Mg; removed by ion exchange or
chemical methods.

4. Why is it important to maintain the pH at 10 during the titration?

👉 EDTA reacts optimally with metal ions at pH 10, and the indicator works best in this range.

5. Can we use this method for soft water?

👉 Yes, but the EDTA volume used would be very small or zero if the water has very low
hardness.

2ND EXP:
Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
1. What is the formula of limestone?
👉 CaCO₃
2. Which gas is evolved when limestone reacts with HCl?
👉 CO₂ (carbon dioxide)
3. What is the indicator used in this titration?
👉 Methyl orange
4. What is the normality of NaOH solution used?
👉 N/10 or 0.1 N (1.05 N/10 in the example)
5. Which acid is used to react with limestone in this experiment?
👉 Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
🔹 Short Answer Questions (2–3 Marks)
1. Why is excess HCl used to dissolve the limestone sample?
👉 To ensure complete reaction with all the CaCO₃ present in the sample.
2. What is the role of methyl orange in the titration?
👉 It acts as an acid-base indicator, showing color change at the endpoint of titration.
3. Why is the solution cooled after reaction with HCl?
👉 To stop further CO₂ evolution and stabilize the solution before dilution.
4. What is the purpose of solution-II in this experiment?
👉 To standardize or compare the strength of the HCl used in the reaction.

🔹 Long Answer / Descriptive Questions (5 Marks)

1. Explain the theory and principle behind the estimation of percentage purity of a
limestone sample.
👉 The limestone mainly contains calcium carbonate, which reacts with HCl to release
CO₂. The unreacted HCl is then estimated by back titration using standard NaOH. The
difference gives the amount of HCl that reacted with CaCO₃, which is used to
calculate the amount and purity of CaCO₃.
2. Describe the procedure followed to determine the percentage purity of a limestone
sample.
👉 Weigh a sample of limestone and dissolve in known volume of excess HCl. After
reaction, dilute the solution to 250 mL (solution-I). Prepare solution-II by diluting the
same volume of HCl without limestone. Titrate both solutions against N/10 NaOH
using methyl orange. Calculate reacted acid and from that calculate CaCO₃ content
and percentage purity.
3. How do you calculate the percentage purity from titration values?
👉 Determine total HCl added (from solution-II titration), unreacted HCl (from
solution-I titration), then calculate HCl that reacted with CaCO₃. Use stoichiometry to
convert mL of acid to grams of CaCO₃ and compute percentage purity.

🔹 Calculation-Based Questions
1. If 0.51 gm of limestone required 12.5 mL of NaOH for solution-I and 25.0 mL for
solution-II, calculate the percentage purity.
(Apply the formula: % purity = (Weight of CaCO₃ in sample / Weight of limestone) ×
100)
2. Given: Strength of NaOH = 1.05 N/10.
Solution-I titration (X) = 10 mL
Solution-II titration (Y) = 20 mL
 o Find amount of CaCO₃ in the sample.
👉 Solution Sketch:
o Total acid = 1.05 × 250 × (10 / 20) = A mL N HCl
o Unreacted acid = 1.05 × 250 × (10 / 10) = B mL N HCl
o Acid reacted with CaCO₃ = A – B = C
o 1000 mL of N HCl ≡ 50 g CaCO₃
o So, C mL ≡ (C × 50) / 1000 g CaCO₃

🔹 Viva-Type Questions
1. Why is back titration used in this experiment instead of direct titration?
👉 Because CaCO₃ is insoluble in water and doesn’t react directly with NaOH.
2. What is the role of NaOH in this titration?
👉 It is used to determine the amount of unreacted HCl.
3. Why is the solution diluted after reaction?
👉 To make sure the entire sample is uniform and measurable for titration.
4. What is meant by ‘percentage purity’ of a sample?
👉 It refers to the actual amount of pure substance (CaCO₃) present in a given impure
sample, expressed as a percentage.
5. Why should you not boil the acid while reacting it with limestone?
👉 Boiling may cause loss of acid or sample and affect the accuracy of CO₂ evolution.

🔹 Fill in the Blanks

1. Limestone mainly contains ________ as its principal component.
👉 Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
2. The reaction of CaCO₃ with HCl produces ______ gas.
👉 Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
3. The titration is carried out using _______ indicator.
👉 Methyl orange
4. In back titration, excess _______ is added to the sample.
👉 Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
5. 1000 mL of N HCl is equivalent to ______ grams of CaCO₃.
👉 50 grams
Reason-Type Questions with Answers
 1. Why is excess hydrochloric acid used during the reaction with limestone?
👉 To ensure that all the calcium carbonate in the limestone reacts completely, leaving
behind unreacted HCl which can be estimated through titration.
2. Why is the reaction mixture warmed gently while dissolving limestone?
👉 The reaction between CaCO₃ and HCl is slow at room temperature. Gentle heating
increases the rate of CO₂ evolution and ensures complete reaction without losing HCl
due to boiling.
3. Why is the solution cooled before transferring to the volumetric flask?
👉 Cooling is necessary to prevent volume expansion errors and to avoid pressure
build-up from residual CO₂ which might interfere during dilution.
4. Why is the beaker rinsed multiple times while transferring the solution?
👉 To ensure that no remaining acid or reacted product is left behind in the beaker,
ensuring complete transfer of the sample to maintain accuracy.
5. Why is back titration used instead of direct titration in this experiment?
👉 CaCO₃ is not soluble in water and cannot be directly titrated. So, excess acid is
added first, and the remaining unreacted acid is determined by titration with NaOH.
6. Why do we prepare a second solution (Solution-II) containing only the same
amount of HCl?
👉 To determine the exact strength and volume of acid added initially, which helps in
comparing how much HCl actually reacted with the CaCO₃ in the sample.
7. Why is methyl orange used as the indicator in this titration?
👉 Because methyl orange works well in strong acid–strong base titrations and shows
a clear and sharp color change (from pink to yellow) around pH 3.1–4.4.
8. Why is the experiment conducted in a conical flask during titration?
👉 The conical flask allows easy swirling of the solution without spilling, helping the
titration mixture to mix properly and giving a clear endpoint.
9. Why is it important to avoid boiling during the reaction of limestone with HCl?
👉 Boiling may cause loss of HCl vapors or splashing of the solution, which leads to
errors in estimating the actual acid that reacted with limestone.
10. Why is CO₂ evolved during the reaction of CaCO₃ with HCl?
👉 Because carbonate reacts with acid to release carbon dioxide gas according to the
reaction:
CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂↑\text{CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O +
CO₂↑}CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂↑
11. Why is the strength of NaOH solution used important for calculations?
👉 Accurate knowledge of NaOH’s normality is essential since it is used to determine
the amount of unreacted HCl, which affects the final calculation of purity.
 12. Why is the purity of limestone important to determine?
👉 To assess the quality of the sample, especially for industrial applications like
cement, construction, and chemical production where high CaCO₃ content is
desirable.

3rd exp:
1. Which gas is estimated in this experiment?
👉 Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
2. Name the indicator used in the titration.
👉 Starch solution
3. Which titrant is used in the experiment?
👉 Sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃)
4. What is the formula of manganese sulfate?
👉 MnSO₄
5. Why is sodium azide added in alkaline KI solution?
👉 To remove interfering oxidizing agents.

✅ SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (2–3 Marks)

1. Why is it important to determine the dissolved oxygen in water?
👉 Dissolved oxygen affects aquatic life and causes corrosion in boilers. Its estimation
is essential for water quality assessment.
2. What is the role of MnSO₄ in the experiment?
👉 It reacts with dissolved oxygen to form a brown precipitate of MnO(OH)₂, which is
later used to release iodine.
3. What is the significance of expressing DO in ppm?
👉 PPM (parts per million) gives a precise measure of oxygen dissolved in water in
relation to water's mass.

✅ REASON-TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Why is the water bottle filled completely, leaving no air space?
👉 To prevent external oxygen from entering and altering the concentration of
dissolved oxygen.
2. Why is the MnSO₄ solution added below the surface of water?
👉 To avoid mixing with atmospheric oxygen and ensure reaction only with the oxygen
dissolved in the sample.
 3. Why should excess H₂SO₄ be avoided?
👉 Excess acid can affect the oxidation state of iodine and disturb the accuracy of the
titration.
4. Why is starch added near the end point?
👉 To give a sharp color change from blue to colorless when all iodine is consumed.
5. Why is sodium thiosulfate used in the titration?
👉 It reacts with the liberated iodine, allowing quantification of the amount of oxygen
initially present.
6. Why is it necessary to perform titration immediately after adding acid?
👉 To avoid loss or volatilization of iodine which would affect accuracy.

✅ LONG ANSWER / DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONS

1. Explain the principle of Rideal-Stewart method for DO estimation.
👉 The method is based on the oxidation of Mn²⁺ by dissolved oxygen to form
MnO(OH)₂, which liberates iodine from KI under acidic conditions. The liberated
iodine is titrated with Na₂S₂O₃, and the amount of iodine is proportional to the
dissolved oxygen.
2. Describe the procedure followed in the estimation of dissolved oxygen.
👉 Take 500 mL of water in a stoppered bottle, add MnSO₄ and alkaline KI, mix and
allow precipitate to form. Then, add H₂SO₄ to dissolve the precipitate and form
iodine. Titrate 100 mL of the yellow solution with standard Na₂S₂O₃ using starch as
indicator
3. Reason-Type Questions & Answers
1. Why is the water sample collected in a glass stoppered bottle without any air
bubbles?
👉 To prevent atmospheric oxygen from dissolving into the sample, which would
falsely increase the DO content.
2. Why is MnSO₄ added before the alkaline KI solution?
👉 Mn²⁺ from MnSO₄ reacts with dissolved oxygen first to form a brown precipitate;
alkaline KI then helps in iodine liberation. The sequence ensures stepwise oxidation
and accurate titration.
3. Why must the reagents (MnSO₄ and alkaline KI) be added well below the water
surface?
👉 To ensure they react with only the dissolved oxygen present in the water, not with
oxygen in the surrounding air.
4. Why is the bottle shaken after adding reagents?
👉 To properly mix the reagents with the water sample so the reaction with dissolved
oxygen is complete and uniform.
 5. Why is the solution allowed to stand after adding MnSO₄ and alkaline KI?
👉 To allow complete precipitation of manganese hydroxide, which reacts with
dissolved oxygen to form MnO(OH)₂.
6. Why is sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) added after the precipitate forms?
👉 H₂SO₄ dissolves the MnO(OH)₂ precipitate and liberates iodine by oxidizing iodide
ions, which is then titrated to determine the DO.
7. Why is excess sulfuric acid avoided during the reaction?
👉 Excess acid can alter the pH too drastically and may lead to side reactions or loss of
iodine gas, affecting accuracy.
8. Why is starch not added at the beginning of the titration?
👉 If starch is added too early, it forms a stable complex with high iodine
concentration which is difficult to break and can hinder accurate endpoint detection.
9. Why is the titration carried out quickly after adding H₂SO₄?
👉 To avoid loss of iodine by volatilization or reaction with other agents, which would
lead to underestimation of DO.
10. Why is iodine used as an intermediate in this method?
👉 Because iodine liberated is directly proportional to the amount of oxygen present,
and it can be easily titrated with sodium thiosulfate.
11. Why does the color change from yellow to pale blue and then colorless during
titration?
👉 Yellow indicates iodine presence, starch turns it blue, and upon complete reaction
with thiosulfate, the iodine is consumed and color disappears.
12. Why is sodium thiosulfate used for titration and not another base?
👉 Sodium thiosulfate reacts quantitatively with iodine in a redox reaction, allowing
precise measurement of liberated iodine.
13. Why is the starch solution freshly prepared before titration?
👉 Starch decomposes over time and may not give a sharp endpoint if old; fresh
solution ensures accurate color change.
14. Why is the amount of dissolved oxygen critical in boiler feed water?
👉 Dissolved oxygen causes corrosion of boiler metal parts by forming rust, hence it
must be monitored and removed.
15. Why does the Mn²⁺ form MnO(OH)₂ in alkaline medium in presence of DO?
👉 Mn²⁺ is oxidized by dissolved oxygen in basic medium, forming a brown precipitate
of MnO(OH)₂, an essential step in this estimation

🔬 EXPERIMENT NO. 04: Determination of Iron Content

in a Sample
1. Very Short Answer (VSA) Questions

1. What is the indicator used in this experiment?

o Self-indicator (KMnO₄)
2. What is the colour change at the end point of the titration?
o Colourless to light pink
3. What is the equivalent weight of iron (Fe)?
o 55.8 g/equiv
4. Which acid is added to the solution during titration?
o Dilute sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄)
5. Why is oxalic acid heated before titration?
o To speed up the reaction with KMnO₄

📋 2. Short Answer Questions

1. Write the balanced redox reaction between KMnO₄ and Fe²⁺.

MnO4−+5Fe2++8H+→Mn2++5Fe3++4H2O

2. Why is KMnO₄ called a self-indicator?

Because it imparts a pink colour to the solution when excess permanganate is present,
marking the end point.
3. What is the role of SnCl₂ in this experiment?
SnCl₂ reduces Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ before titration with KMnO₄.
4. Why is dilute H₂SO₄ added during titration?
To maintain an acidic medium required for the redox reaction between Fe²⁺ and
KMnO₄.
5. How do you calculate the amount of iron in the solution?

Weight of Fe=55.8×X×S21000\text{Weight of Fe} = \frac{55.8 \times X \times S_2}

{1000}Weight of Fe=100055.8×X×S2

Where:

o X = volume of KMnO₄ used

o S2S = strength of KMnO₄

🧠 3. Long Answer Questions

1. Explain the standardization of KMnO₄ using oxalic acid.

o 10 ml of oxalic acid is pipetted into a conical flask.
o Add dilute H₂SO₄ and heat to 50–80°C.
o Titrate against KMnO₄ until a permanent light pink colour appears.
o Repeat for concordant readings.
o Use:

S1V1=S2V2S_1V_1 = S_2V_2S1V1=S2V2
to calculate KMnO₄ strength.

2. Describe the full procedure for determining iron content.

o Pipette 10 ml of iron solution into a conical flask.
o Add half test tube of dil. H₂SO₄.
o Titrate with standard KMnO₄ to a light pink end point.
o Repeat for concordant readings.
o Use calculation formula to determine Fe content.
3. Discuss the chemical principles behind the redox titration involved in this experiment.
o The titration is a redox reaction.
o KMnO₄ acts as an oxidizing agent and Fe²⁺ is oxidized to Fe³⁺.
o MnO₄⁻ is reduced to Mn²⁺ in acidic medium.

1. Why is KMnO₄ solution stored in a dark bottle?

👉 KMnO₄ decomposes in light, so it's stored in dark-colored bottles to prevent
decomposition and maintain accuracy.
2. Why is freshly prepared KMnO₄ used for titration?
👉 KMnO₄ is unstable and decomposes slowly over time, affecting its normality.
3. Why is oxalic acid used for standardization instead of another acid?
👉 Oxalic acid reacts in a known and precise molar ratio with KMnO₄, making it ideal
for standardization.

🧫 About Sample & Handling

4. Why should the burette be rinsed with KMnO₄ solution before titration?
👉 To avoid dilution or contamination of the titrant, ensuring accurate volume delivery.
5. Why is it important to use a clean conical flask during titration?
👉 Impurities may interfere with the redox reaction or falsely indicate endpoint colour
change.
6. Why shouldn’t the conical flask be rinsed with KMnO₄ before titration?
👉 It would add extra KMnO₄ to the system, causing errors in titration volume readings.

About Heating & Temperature

7. Why should oxalic acid be heated between 50–80°C during titration?

👉 Heating speeds up the slow redox reaction between oxalic acid and KMnO₄, helping it
proceed to completion.
8. Why shouldn't the solution be overheated during titration?
👉 Overheating may cause decomposition of oxalic acid or evaporation of solution,
affecting accuracy.

🧬 About the Endpoint & Observations

9. Why is the endpoint indicated by the first permanent pink colour?

👉 This indicates that all Fe²⁺ ions are oxidized, and a small excess of KMnO₄ remains
unreacted, coloring the solution.
 10. Why does the pink colour persist at the endpoint?
👉 Because there’s no more Fe²⁺ to react with KMnO₄, so the purple KMnO₄ remains in
solution as a pink tint.
11. Why must the titration be repeated for concordant readings?
👉 To ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results by eliminating random errors.

⚠️Precautions-Based Reasoning

12. Why should the KMnO₄ solution be added slowly near the endpoint?
👉 To avoid overshooting the endpoint, which would give an inaccurate higher volume of
KMnO₄ used.
13. Why is a standard solution of known normality essential?
👉 So that the calculation of unknown concentration (iron content) is based on a reliable
reference.
14. Why should the entire titration be done in acidic medium?
👉 KMnO₄ acts as a strong oxidizing agent only in acidic medium; otherwise, side
reactions occur.

Experiment: Rate Constant of Hydrolysis of an Ester (Ethyl

Acetate)
Definition-Based Questions

1. What is ester hydrolysis?

➤ It is the chemical breakdown of an ester into an acid and an alcohol in the presence of
water.
2. Write the chemical equation for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate.
➤ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O → CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH
3. What type of reaction is ester hydrolysis?
➤ It is a pseudo first-order reaction when catalyzed by acid due to excess water.
4. What is a pseudo first-order reaction?
➤ A reaction that is truly second-order but appears to be first-order because the
concentration of one reactant (usually solvent like water) remains nearly constant.
5. What is the unit of the rate constant (k) for a first-order reaction?
➤ min⁻¹ or s⁻¹

🧪 2. Procedure-Based Questions

6. Why is ice-cold water used before titration?

➤ To immediately quench (stop) the reaction at that time point so no further hydrolysis
occurs.
7. Why is phenolphthalein used as an indicator?
➤ It helps detect the endpoint by showing a pink color in basic medium, indicating
neutralization of acid.
8. Why is NaOH used for titration?
➤ To neutralize and measure the amount of acid formed (HCl + acetic acid) during the
hydrolysis.
 9. Why is the final reading taken after heating the mixture for 30 mins?
➤ To ensure complete hydrolysis so the total acid concentration (a) can be known.
10. Why are samples taken at 10-minute intervals?
➤ To monitor the progress of the reaction over time and calculate the rate constant
accurately.

Viva-Style Rapid-Fire Q&A

 What is the catalyst used in this reaction? → Dil. HCl

 Why is ethyl acetate chosen? → It’s a commonly studied ester with a known hydrolysis
profile.
 What does a pink color at endpoint signify? → All acid has reacted with NaOH.
 What would happen if titration is delayed? → Reaction may proceed further, leading to
errors.
 Why is the final titration after heating done? → To get total acid formed (for V∞ value).

Further Reason-Type Questions

Reaction Mechanism and Catalysis

1. Why is the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate catalyzed by HCl considered a pseudo-first-order

reaction?
➤ The concentration of water is large and remains constant, making the rate of reaction
depend only on the ester concentration, giving the appearance of a first-order reaction.
2. Why does the reaction rate depend on the concentration of ethyl acetate?
➤ The rate-limiting step is the reaction between ethyl acetate and water, where the ester
(ethyl acetate) is consumed, and its concentration determines the rate.
3. Why is water considered in excess in this reaction?
➤ Water is in large abundance and does not significantly change in concentration
during the reaction, meaning its concentration can be ignored for rate calculations.

Effect of Temperature

4. Why is the reaction mixture heated in a water bath during the experiment?
➤ Heating increases the reaction rate, allowing the hydrolysis to occur faster and
enabling measurements within a practical time frame.
5. Why should the water bath be maintained at a consistent temperature of 50–60°C?
➤ A consistent temperature ensures that the rate of hydrolysis remains uniform,
allowing for accurate comparisons of reaction progress at different time intervals.

Sampling and Titration

6. Why is it necessary to take periodic samples of the reaction mixture at 10-minute

intervals?
➤ Taking samples at regular intervals helps track the progress of the reaction and
allows the rate constant to be calculated accurately from the volume of acid formed at
each time point.
 7. Why is titration done immediately after withdrawing each sample?
➤ To prevent further reaction or hydrolysis that might alter the acid concentration and
skew the results.
8. Why is ice-cold water added immediately after withdrawing a sample?
➤ Ice-cold water immediately stops the reaction, preventing further hydrolysis and
ensuring that the titration reflects the acid concentration at the specific time point.
9. Why is NaOH used to titrate the acid formed during hydrolysis?
➤ NaOH is a strong base that reacts with both acetic acid and HCl, neutralizing them
and allowing the volume used to represent the total amount of acid formed during
hydrolysis.

End Point Determination

10. Why is phenolphthalein used as an indicator in this experiment?

➤ Phenolphthalein changes color from colorless to pink at the endpoint, indicating the
neutralization of the acid formed during hydrolysis.
11. Why is the appearance of a pink color considered the endpoint in this experiment?
➤ The pink color indicates that all the acid has reacted with NaOH and that the solution
has reached neutralization.
12. Why is it necessary to use standard NaOH for titration?
➤ Standard NaOH allows for accurate determination of the volume required to
neutralize the acids formed in the reaction mixture, ensuring precise measurements of
the acid content.

Calculation and Interpretation

13. Why is the rate constant (k) calculated using the equation:

k=2.303/t x log(V∞−V0/V∞−Vt)

➤ This formula is derived from the integrated rate law for a first-order reaction, where the log
term represents the change in the concentration of ethyl acetate over time.

14. Why is the volume of NaOH used at time t=0t = 0t=0 (V₀) subtracted from the volume at
time ttt (Vₜ)?
➤ Subtracting these volumes helps determine the amount of acid produced during the
reaction at a specific time point, which is critical for calculating the rate of reaction.
15. Why is the volume of NaOH used at the final time (after heating) referred to as V∞?
➤ V∞ represents the total acid produced when the reaction is complete, and no further
hydrolysis occurs. It corresponds to the final volume of NaOH needed to neutralize all
the acid formed.

Precautions and Experimental Setup

16. Why must the burette and conical flask be clean before the experiment?
➤ Any impurities or leftover chemicals could react with the titrants or the sample,
leading to erroneous results.
 17. Why should the reaction mixture be shaken well before withdrawing a sample?
➤ Shaking ensures that the reaction mixture is homogeneous, giving an accurate
representation of the reaction progress when sampling.
18. Why is it essential to use a stop-watch to measure the time intervals precisely?
➤ Accurate timing is crucial for correlating the concentration of the acid produced with
the time elapsed, which is necessary for calculating the rate constant.

Ph meter :
1. What is the objective of determining the strength of acetic acid by using a pH meter?
➤ The objective is to determine the strength (normality) of acetic acid by titrating it
with a strong base (0.5N NaOH) and estimating the amount of acetic acid present in a
250 mL solution.
2. Explain the principle behind the use of a pH meter in determining the strength of an
acid.
➤ A pH meter measures the potential difference between the glass electrode and
reference electrode, which is related to the pH of the solution. The pH is calculated using
the formula pH=Ecell−Eg0.0591pH = \frac{E_{\text{cell}} - E_{\text{g}}}
{0.0591}pH=0.0591Ecell−Eg.
3. Why does a pH meter give more accurate results compared to acid-base indicators like
phenolphthalein?
➤ A pH meter provides precise, continuous, and quantitative measurements of pH
changes, allowing for the determination of the exact endpoint, whereas acid-base
indicators give only qualitative color changes.

Procedure-Based Questions:

4. What is the role of the buffer solution (pH-4.0) in this experiment?

➤ The buffer solution is used to calibrate the pH meter, ensuring that it gives accurate
pH values during the titration process.
5. Why is it necessary to standardize the pH meter before starting the experiment?
➤ Standardizing the pH meter ensures that the readings are accurate and reliable,
compensating for any potential variations in electrode performance or other factors.
6. Why must the temperature of the solution be controlled at 30°C during the experiment?
➤ The pH of a solution can change with temperature, and to obtain consistent results,
the temperature must be kept constant to minimize variations in pH readings.
7. Explain the reason for adding NaOH solution in 1 mL increments during the titration.
➤ Adding NaOH in 1 mL increments allows for more precise monitoring of pH changes,
especially around the endpoint where the pH increases sharply.
8. Why should you take at least five more readings after reaching the sharp rise in pH?
➤ Taking additional readings after the sharp rise ensures accuracy in determining the
exact endpoint and helps confirm the consistency of the results.

Calculation and Result-Based Questions:

11. How do you calculate the normality of the acetic acid from the titration data?
➤ The normality of acetic acid is calculated using the relation N1V1=N2V2, where N1 is
the normality of NaOH, V1 is the volume of NaOH used, and V2is the volume of acetic
acid.
12. What formula do you use to calculate the amount of acetic acid in a 250 mL solution?
➤ The amount of acetic acid in 250 mL of the solution is calculated using the formula:
Amount of acetic acid=N2×V2×250/1000 What precautions should be taken while handling
NaOH and acetic acid?
➤ NaOH is caustic and can cause burns, so it should be handled carefully with gloves and safety
goggles. Acetic acid is corrosive, so care should be taken to avoid direct contact with skin or
eyes.

 What would happen if the NaOH solution is added too quickly during the titration?
➤ Adding NaOH too quickly may result in overshooting the endpoint, leading to inaccurate pH
readings and a poor estimation of the normality of the acetic acid.

 Why should you avoid adding too much NaOH after the sharp rise in pH is observed?
➤ Adding excess NaOH after the endpoint could result in a false reading of the endpoint and
lead to inaccurate calculations of the acetic acid’s strength.

What is the significance of determining the amount of acetic acid present in the solution?
➤ Determining the amount of acetic acid helps in understanding the concentration of the acid
solution, which is important for practical applications such as preparing solutions of known
strength.

1. Why does the pH increase slowly at the beginning of the titration, and how is this
reflected in the graph?
➤ In the early stages of the titration, the amount of NaOH added is minimal, so the
acetic acid is neutralized gradually, causing the pH to change slowly. On the graph, this
is represented as a relatively flat, gradual slope in the initial region.
2. What is the reason for the sharp rise in pH after adding a certain volume of NaOH, and
how is it shown on the graph?
➤ The sharp rise in pH occurs when the acetic acid in the solution has been neutralized
and excess NaOH starts to increase the pH significantly. On the graph, this sharp rise is
represented by a steep upward slope, indicating the transition from acidic to basic
conditions.
3. Why does the graph show a relatively flat region after the sharp pH rise, and what does
this indicate about the reaction?
➤ After the endpoint, where the acetic acid is neutralized, adding more NaOH results in
a small increase in pH. This flat region in the graph shows that the solution is now in
excess of NaOH, and the pH is no longer significantly affected by further additions of
the base.
4. How can you use the graph to identify the endpoint of the titration?
➤ The endpoint is identified by the sharp, nearly vertical rise in the pH curve. The point
at which the curve changes direction from gradual to steep indicates the neutralization
point, where all the acetic acid has reacted with NaOH.
5. Why is it important to take measurements before and after the sharp rise in pH, and
how does this influence the graph?
➤ Taking measurements before and after the sharp rise helps to precisely pinpoint the
endpoint. The graph will show a clear distinction between the gradual pH change before
the rise and the steep increase that occurs after the acid has been neutralized.
6. What effect would a slower titration rate have on the shape of the graph?
➤ If the NaOH were added more slowly, the graph would still show the same general
pattern, but the gradual region would be extended, and the sharp rise might become
more gradual. This would make it harder to identify the exact endpoint.
7. Why does the pH remain relatively stable over a range of NaOH volumes before the
sharp increase?
➤ This region of stability indicates that the solution is buffering, meaning that the acetic
 acid is neutralizing the NaOH, and there is little change in pH as long as the acid is still
present in significant amounts. On the graph, this is a flat, horizontal portion.
8. What could cause the graph to show an endpoint that is not sharp, and how would this
affect the accuracy of the result?
➤ A poorly defined endpoint, such as a slow pH change or gradual slope, could be
caused by inaccurate titration or insufficient mixing. This would result in a less steep
curve and an imprecise determination of the endpoint, leading to errors in calculating
the normality of the acid.

Reason-Type Questions Related to pH Meter and Measurement:

9. Why is it important to add NaOH in small increments near the endpoint, as shown on
the graph?
➤ Adding NaOH in small increments near the endpoint allows for a more accurate
measurement of the pH, helping to pinpoint the sharp rise in the graph more precisely.
This ensures that the exact neutralization point can be identified for accurate
calculation of the acid's normality.
10. How does the use of a pH meter affect the precision of the titration, and how does this
reflect in the graph?
➤ A pH meter provides continuous, precise pH measurements, which allows for better
tracking of pH changes as NaOH is added. This results in a smoother and more accurate
graph with clearly identifiable endpoints compared to visual indicators like
phenolphthalein.
11. What would happen if you stopped titrating once the pH started to rise, and how would
this affect the graph and result?
➤ Stopping titration too early, before the sharp rise in pH, would result in an
incomplete neutralization of the acid. The graph would show a flat or mildly increasing
pH without the steep curve, leading to an inaccurate determination of the acid's
strength.
12. Why must you ensure that the pH meter is calibrated before starting the experiment,
and how could a miscalibration affect the graph?
➤ If the pH meter is miscalibrated, the readings will be inaccurate, causing incorrect pH
values to be recorded. This would distort the shape of the graph, possibly making the
endpoint unclear or shifting the pH values, leading to errors in the normality
calculation.
13. How does temperature affect the pH of a solution during titration, and why is it
important to maintain a constant temperature in this experiment?
➤ Temperature can affect the dissociation of acids and bases, potentially altering the pH
of the solution. A change in temperature could distort the shape of the pH vs. volume
graph, making it harder to pinpoint the endpoint accurately. Maintaining a constant
temperature ensures consistency in the results.

Reason-Type Questions Related to pH Calculation and Accuracy:

14. Why does the pH change less dramatically when the solution has a higher concentration
of acetic acid before reaching the endpoint?
➤ Higher concentrations of acetic acid provide more acid molecules to react with the
NaOH, meaning the pH change is more gradual over a larger volume of NaOH added.
On the graph, this would show as a less steep initial slope before the sharp rise.
 15. How can errors in NaOH concentration affect the pH vs. volume graph and the resulting
calculations?
➤ Errors in NaOH concentration would lead to incorrect volume measurements at the
endpoint, causing an inaccurate pH reading. The graph might show an endpoint at a
different volume, which would lead to incorrect calculations of the acetic acid's
normality.
16. Why is it important to avoid overshooting the endpoint when titrating with NaOH, and
how is this visible on the graph?
➤ Overshooting the endpoint would result in adding excess NaOH after neutralization,
causing the pH to increase beyond the expected value. On the graph, this would be
visible as a continuation of the steep rise in pH after the endpoint, which would distort
the normality calculation.

Conductometric Titration:
1. Why does the conductivity of the solution decrease as NaOH is added to the HCl
solution during the titration?
➤ As NaOH is added to the HCl solution, hydrogen ions (H⁺) from HCl react with
hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from NaOH to form water. Since H⁺ ions are highly mobile and
contribute significantly to the conductivity, their removal causes a decrease in the
overall conductivity.
2. What causes the sharp increase in conductivity after the equivalence point in the
titration, and why is this observed on the graph?
➤ After the equivalence point, excess NaOH (containing sodium ions, Na⁺) is added.
Sodium ions are less mobile than hydrogen ions, but the excess NaOH increases the
overall ion concentration, causing a sudden increase in conductivity. On the graph, this
is shown as a steep upward rise in conductivity.
3. Why is the conductivity corrected by multiplying with the factor (volume of NaOH
added / volume of HCl taken)?
➤ The conductivity needs to be normalized to the volume of HCl solution initially taken
to give an accurate representation of the concentration of the HCl. This factor ensures
that the volume of acid is accounted for in the calculation of HCl concentration.
4. How does the concentration of NaOH affect the titration curve, and why is it important
to use a known concentration of NaOH?
➤ The concentration of NaOH affects the volume of NaOH needed to reach the
equivalence point. A known concentration of NaOH ensures that the amount of acid
(HCl) in the solution can be accurately determined by comparing the amount of NaOH
used at the equivalence point.
5. Why is the equivalence point of the titration observed at the intersection of two curves in
the graph of conductance vs. volume of NaOH?
➤ The intersection of the two curves represents the point where all the H ⁺ ions from
HCl have reacted with OH⁻ ions from NaOH, and the solution now contains excess
NaOH. This point marks the equivalence point because it corresponds to the complete
neutralization of the acid by the base.
6. What would happen if the conductivity cell touches the wall of the beaker during
titration, and why should this be avoided?
➤ If the conductivity cell touches the wall of the beaker, it may cause inaccurate
readings due to interference from the container's surface or the presence of
contaminants. This can affect the precision of the conductivity measurements and the
determination of the equivalence point.
7. Why is it essential to standardize the conductivity meter before starting the titration,
and how does this impact the accuracy of the results?
➤ Standardizing the conductivity meter ensures that the readings are accurate and
comparable. Using a standard solution like NaCl allows the calibration of the
 instrument to account for any deviations, ensuring that the conductivity readings during
the experiment are reliable.
8. Why does the conductivity of the solution initially increase slowly and then rapidly after
a certain volume of NaOH is added?
➤ In the early stages of the titration, H⁺ ions from HCl are being neutralized by OH⁻
ions, but since the concentration of NaOH is relatively low, the conductivity increases
gradually. After the equivalence point, the addition of excess NaOH introduces Na⁺
ions, which are less mobile and cause a sudden increase in conductivity, reflected as a
sharp rise in the graph.
9. Why is the addition of NaOH in increments of 0.5 mL important in the titration
process?
➤ Adding NaOH in small increments allows for precise monitoring of the conductivity
change, particularly near the equivalence point. It ensures that the pH and conductivity
changes can be tracked carefully, leading to accurate determination of the equivalence
point.
10. Why is it crucial to plot the graph of conductivity vs. volume of NaOH to determine the
equivalence point, and how does the graph help in identifying it?
➤ Plotting the graph allows visualization of the changes in conductivity throughout the
titration. The equivalence point is clearly identified where the conductivity curve shows
a steep increase, marking the transition from acid-dominated solution to base-
dominated solution.

Reason-Type Questions Related to Conductivity and Titration Procedure:

11. What is the reason for the decrease in conductivity as NaOH is added in the initial stage
of titration?
➤ As NaOH neutralizes HCl, the highly mobile hydrogen ions are replaced by the less
mobile sodium ions, leading to a reduction in the overall conductivity. This corresponds
to the gradual decrease in conductivity seen at the beginning of the titration.
12. Why does the conductivity decrease before the equivalence point and increase sharply
afterward?
➤ Before the equivalence point, the hydrogen ions from HCl dominate, and as NaOH is
added, these hydrogen ions are replaced by sodium ions. However, after the equivalence
point, the solution contains excess NaOH, which contributes to an increase in
conductivity, resulting in a sharp rise on the graph.
13. Why is the volume of NaOH needed to reach the equivalence point important for
calculating the concentration of HCl?
➤ The volume of NaOH required to neutralize the acid at the equivalence point is
directly related to the amount of acid present in the solution. By knowing the volume of
NaOH and its concentration, we can calculate the concentration of HCl using the
titration formula: N1V1=N2V2.
14. Why must the conductivity cell be immersed in the beaker with the solution, and how
does this affect the titration results?
➤ The conductivity cell must be immersed in the solution to measure the ion
concentration accurately. If the cell is not properly immersed, it could lead to incorrect
readings of conductivity, affecting the accuracy of the titration and the equivalence
point determination.
15. How does the mobility of hydrogen ions compared to sodium ions affect the titration
process and the graph of conductivity vs. volume of NaOH?
➤ Hydrogen ions (H⁺) are more mobile than sodium ions (Na⁺), meaning that their
presence contributes more to the solution’s conductivity. During titration, the
replacement of H⁺ ions by Na⁺ ions causes the conductivity to initially decrease, but
 once excess NaOH is added after the equivalence point, sodium ions dominate, causing
an increase in conductivity.

Short Answer Type Questions:

1. What is the principle behind conductometric titration?

➤ The principle behind conductometric titration is that the electrical conductivity of a
solution depends on the number and type of ions present. As a strong acid (like HCl) is
titrated with a strong base (like NaOH), the ion concentrations change, and this affects
the conductivity, allowing us to monitor the titration progress.
2. What is the purpose of using a conductivity meter in this experiment?
➤ The purpose of using a conductivity meter is to measure the change in electrical
conductivity of the solution as NaOH is added to HCl. This change helps determine the
equivalence point of the titration.
3. Why does the conductivity decrease before the equivalence point?
➤ The conductivity decreases before the equivalence point because the highly mobile
hydrogen ions (H⁺) from the acid are neutralized by the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the
base. The sodium ions (Na⁺) from NaOH are less mobile and contribute less to
conductivity.
4. What happens to the conductivity after the equivalence point?
➤ After the equivalence point, excess NaOH (which contains sodium ions, Na⁺) is
present in the solution. Sodium ions are less mobile than hydrogen ions, but the
increased concentration of ions in the solution leads to an increase in conductivity.
5. Why is the graph of conductivity vs. volume of NaOH used to determine the equivalence
point?
➤ The graph of conductivity vs. volume of NaOH helps identify the equivalence point
because it shows a significant change in conductivity. The equivalence point is marked
by a sharp increase in conductivity, where all the acid has been neutralized by the base.

2. Fill in the Blanks:

1. The principle of conductometric titration is based on the change in the _______ of the
solution as titrant is added.
➤ conductivity
2. In the titration of HCl with NaOH, conductivity decreases as NaOH is added because
the _______ ions from HCl are replaced by _______ ions from NaOH.
➤ hydrogen, sodium
3. The equivalence point in a conductometric titration is identified by a _______ in
conductivity after the addition of excess NaOH.
➤ sharp increase
4. The conductivity cell measures the _______ of the solution, which is inversely
proportional to the resistance.
➤ conductance
5. The final volume of NaOH required to reach the equivalence point is used to calculate
the _______ of the unknown acid solution.
➤ concentration

Partition Coefficient of Succinic Acid.

. Viva Questions & Answers
 1. Q: What is the partition coefficient?
A: It is the ratio of the concentration of a solute in two immiscible solvents at
equilibrium.
2. Q: Why is succinic acid used in this experiment?
A: Because it is soluble in both water and 1-butanol, making it ideal for studying
partitioning behavior.
3. Q: What are the two immiscible liquids used here?
A: Water and 1-butanol.
4. Q: What indicator is used for titration?
A: Phenolphthalein.
5. Q: What is the standard titrant used?
A: 0.05 N NaOH.

✅ II. Theory-Based Questions

1. Q: State the law governing the partition coefficient.

A: Nernst Distribution Law: At equilibrium, the ratio of concentrations of a
solute in two immiscible solvents is constant at a given temperature.
2. Q: Write the expression for the partition coefficient.
A: K=Corg/Cwater
3. Q: Why is succinic acid titrated with NaOH?
A: Succinic acid is a diprotic acid and reacts with NaOH to form a neutral salt,
allowing us to determine its concentration.

✅ III. Procedure-Based Questions

1. Q: How is the partition mixture prepared?

A: Succinic acid, water, and 1-butanol are added in known volumes to a
separating funnel and shaken.
2. Q: How long should the mixture be shaken?
A: For 20 minutes to ensure equilibrium is reached.
3. Q: What is done after phase separation?
A: Both the aqueous and organic layers are separately titrated using standard
NaOH.

Conceptual Reasoning

1. Q: Why is the partition coefficient constant at a fixed temperature?

A: Because at equilibrium and constant temperature, the ratio of the
concentrations of solute in each immiscible solvent becomes constant, regardless
of the total amount of solute added.
2. Q: Why must the two solvents be immiscible?
A: So that two distinct phases form and the solute can distribute between them.
Miscible solvents would mix completely, invalidating the concept of partitioning.
 3. Q: Why is succinic acid suitable for this experiment?
A: It is a diprotic acid that is soluble in both polar (water) and moderately
nonpolar (1-butanol) solvents, making it ideal to study distribution behavior.
4. Q: Why does succinic acid distribute unevenly between water and 1-butanol?
A: Due to its polarity; succinic acid has stronger hydrogen bonding with water,
but it can still dissolve in 1-butanol due to partial polarity.

⚗️Procedure-Related Reasoning

5. Q: Why do we shake the separating funnel for 20 minutes?

A: To ensure thorough mixing so the solute (succinic acid) reaches equilibrium
distribution between the two immiscible layers.
6. Q: Why must the layers be allowed to separate completely before titration?
A: To avoid cross-contamination and ensure accurate concentration readings for
each layer.
7. Q: Why is only 5 mL of each layer taken for titration?
A: A fixed and small volume makes the titration manageable and ensures
consistency across samples.
8. Q: Why is phenolphthalein used as an indicator in this experiment?
A: Succinic acid is titrated with NaOH, and phenolphthalein changes color in the
pH range of 8.2–10, which corresponds to the endpoint of weak acid-strong base
titration.

🧪 Titration and Calculation Reasoning

9. Q: Why is NaOH used to titrate both layers?

A: Because it reacts with succinic acid in both water and butanol layers, helping
us determine the amount of acid present.
10. Q: Why do we calculate the average value of the partition coefficient from
multiple experiments?
A: To minimize experimental error and improve accuracy and reliability of the
result.
11. Q: Why is succinic acid titrated in both layers?
A: To determine the concentration of succinic acid in each layer, which is needed
to calculate the partition coefficient.
12. Q: Why is succinic acid considered diprotic in this experiment?
A: Because it contains two carboxylic acid groups, each of which can donate a
proton during neutralization.

📈 Graphical Reasoning

13. Q: Why do we plot concentration of succinic acid in each phase?

A: To visually verify if the ratio (partition coefficient) remains constant across
different compositions.
 14. Q: Why should the partition coefficient be approximately constant for all
graphs?
A: If equilibrium is properly achieved, the concentration ratio should not vary
with the total amount of solute, thus indicating proper experimental conditions.
15. Q: Why would the graph deviate from linearity in some cases?
A: Due to experimental errors like incomplete phase separation, inaccurate
titration, or temperature fluctuations.

Experiment No-09: Viscosity of oil using

Redwood viscometer:
Viva Voce (Conceptual Questions)

Q1. What is viscosity?

A: Viscosity is the internal resistance offered by a fluid to flow. It is due to cohesive
forces between molecules.

Q2. What is the unit of viscosity in CGS and SI systems?

A:

 CGS: Poise
 SI: Pascal-second (Pa·s)

Q3. Define kinematic viscosity.

A: It is the ratio of dynamic viscosity to the density of the fluid. Unit: centistokes (cSt)
or mm²/s.

Q4. What does the Redwood viscometer measure?

A: It measures the kinematic viscosity of oil in terms of flow time of 50 ml through a
standard orifice.

Q5. Why is the water bath used in the Redwood viscometer?

A: To maintain a constant and uniform temperature around the oil, ensuring accurate
viscosity readings.

III. Graph-Based Questions

Q1. What is the shape of the graph between Temperature (X-axis) and Redwood
seconds (Y-axis)?
A: A decreasing curve – as temperature increases, viscosity (time of flow) decreases.

Q2. What does the slope of the Temperature vs Kinematic Viscosity graph indicate?
A: The rate at which viscosity decreases with temperature. A steeper slope indicates
higher temperature sensitivity of the oil.

Q3. What is the significance of drawing Temperature vs Redwood seconds?

A: It helps visualize the inverse relation and compare flow rates at various
temperatures.
V. Application/Understanding-Based Questions

Q1. How would viscosity help in choosing oil for engines?

A: Oils with too high viscosity at cold temperatures may not flow easily, and those with
too low viscosity at high temperatures may not lubricate properly.

Q2. What happens if you use a different volume than 50 ml?

A: It will affect the timing and lead to wrong correlation in the viscosity calculation as
the formula is standardized for 50 ml.

Q3. Why must temperature be measured accurately?

A: Viscosity is highly temperature-dependent; small temperature variations can cause
large changes in viscosity values.

REASON-TYPE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1. Why does the viscosity of oil decrease as the temperature increases?
Reason:
With increasing temperature, the kinetic energy of molecules increases. This overcomes
intermolecular cohesive forces, allowing the layers of fluid to move more easily past
each other — hence viscosity decreases.

Q2. Why do we use a water bath around the oil cup in the Redwood Viscometer?
Reason:
The water bath helps maintain a constant and uniform temperature around the oil,
which is essential because viscosity is temperature-dependent. Any fluctuation in
temperature can lead to inaccurate measurements.

Q3. Why should the oil be filtered before testing in the viscometer?
Reason:
To remove solid impurities or particles that could clog the orifice, affecting the flow rate
of oil and thereby giving incorrect viscosity readings.

Q4. Why is it necessary to collect exactly 50 ml of oil during each trial?

Reason:
The viscosity calculation formula and instrument calibration (constants A and B) are
standardized for 50 ml of oil. A different volume would make the calculated viscosity
invalid.
Q5. Why is the stopwatch started when the ball is lifted in the viscometer?
Reason:
Lifting the ball allows the oil to start flowing through the orifice. The time it takes for
50 ml to flow is used to calculate viscosity, so accurate timing from that point is critical.

Q6. Why does the oil stream need to hit the neck of the receiving flask gently?
Reason:
To prevent foaming, which can cause errors in volume measurement and may affect the
uniformity of oil collection.

Q7. Why is viscosity expressed in centistokes (cSt) for kinematic viscosity?

Reason:
Centistokes (cSt) is a common practical unit for kinematic viscosity, particularly in
lubricating oil industries. It simplifies reporting, especially since oil viscosities are
typically small.

Q8. Why does the graph of temperature vs viscosity have a downward trend?
Reason:
Because viscosity decreases as temperature increases, the graph shows a negative slope,
indicating an inverse relationship.

Q9. Why is the dynamic viscosity calculated by multiplying kinematic viscosity with
density?
Reason:
Dynamic viscosity depends on both flow resistance and the mass of the fluid (i.e.,
density). Hence:

Dynamic Viscosity=Kinematic Viscosity×Density

Q10. Why is it important to repeat the experiment at different temperatures (e.g., 50°C
to 100°C)?
Reason:
To study the behavior of oil viscosity across a range of temperatures, which is critical in
understanding how the oil will perform in real-world conditions (like engine operations
at various temps).