SEGi University

Chemical Engineering Laboratory I (ECE3411)

The Acidic Reactions of Ethanoic Acid

Name: Student ID: Lecturer:

Kevin Devastian SCM-014354 Tong KS

Theory The hydrochloric acid will show pH = 1, and the ethanoic acid will show pH = 3. Only a few drops of sodium carbonate solution and sodium hydroxide solution will be needed to neutralise the acids as the alkaline solutions are eight times more concentrated than the acids. The hydrochloric acid will fizz strongly with the sodium carbonate solution, whereas for ethanoic acid the fizzing will be detectable but less vigorous. The hydrochloric acid will fizz with the magnesium. Hydrogen is given off. (Collect in a tube inverted over the reaction tube and transfer the open end quickly to a flame a squeaky pop should be heard). Hydrogen is given off more slowly with ethanoic acid. Both acids will fizz with the copper carbonate, but the reaction with hydrochloric acid will be more vigorous. When any excess copper carbonate has settled, the colours of copper chloride (green) and copper ethanoate (blue) will be seen. Ethanoic acid is a weak acid which means it does not fully dissociate into ions in water. CH3COOH H+ + CH3COOHydrochloric acid is a strong acid and dissociates fully. HCl H+ + ClThis means that the concentration of H+ ions in 0.4 M HCl is higher than that in 0.4 M ethanoic acid, so its pH is lower and its acid reactions are faster. When alkalis are added, however, the ethanoic acid equilibrium position moves to the right, so eventually all the acid reacts, as shown in the equations below: NaOH + HCl NaCl + H2O NaOH + CH3COOH CH3COONa + H2O Na2CO3 + 2HCl 2NaCl + CO2 + H2O Na2CO3 + 2CH3COOH 2CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O Mg + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2 Mg + 2CH3COOH (CH3COO)2Mg + H2 CuCO3 + 2HCl CuCl2 + CO2 + H2O CuCO3 + 2CH3COOH (CH3COO)2Cu + CO2 + H2O

Objective The objective of this experiment is to identify the acidic reactions of ethanoic acid.

Materials & Apparatus Eye protection Each group of students will need: Test-tube rack 8 Test Tubes Beakers (100 cm3), 2 Glass rod Dropping pipettes, 2 Access to A flame for testing hydrogen (but keep away from magnesium) Universal indicator pH colour chart (Full range pH 1-14) For extension, each group of students will need: Spatula Filter paper Magnesium ribbon, two 1 cm strips Ethanoic acid solution, 0.05 M, 15 cm3 Hydrochloric acid solution, 0.05 M, 15 cm3 Sodium hydroxide solution, 0.4 M, 5 cm3 Sodium carbonate solution, 0.4 M, 5 cm3 Universal indicator solution (full range, pH 1-14) (HIGHLY FLAMMABLE), a few drops Copper carbonate, 0.5 g

Procedure a A test-tube rack containing six test-tubes was set up b Into three of the test-tubes was placed 2 cm depth of ethanoic acid solution (0.05 M). c Into the other three tubes place we placed 2 cm depth of hydrochloric acid (0.05 M). d Three drops of full-range Universal indicator solution was added into one of the ethanoic acid tubes and note the pH. e Another three drops of full-range Universal indicator solution was added into one of the hydrochloric acid tubes and note the pH. f About 0.5 cm depth of sodium carbonate (0.4 M) solution was placed in a small beaker. g Use a dropping pipette to add one drop of sodium carbonate solution to the ethanoic acid tube which contains the indicator. The test tube was stirred with a glass rod and note any observations. Continually add drops until the pH is neutral. The number of drops used was noted. h The procedure was repeated in g but adding the sodium carbonate to the tube containing hydrochloric acid and indicator. i Sodium hydroxide solution (0.4 M) was added to the ethanoic acid and hydrochloric acid. j A small piece of magnesium ribbon was added to the remaining hydrochloric acid tube. k Repeat j using the third ethanoic acid tube. The rate of reaction was compared with that of hydrochloric acid. Extension, or instead of using sodium carbonate solution: l A small amount was taken (one-quarter spatula measure) of solid copper carbonate on a filter paper. m About 1 cm depth of hydrochloric acid and ethanoic acid respectively was poured into two more test tubes. n Copper carbonate was added into each tube in very small quantities, stirring with a glass rod, until nothing further happens.