1.

1 Abstract
The experiment is to determine of the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar.
Vinegar is dilute solution of the acetic acid. The molarity of the solution and the
percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar is determined by using titration with the
standardized sodium hydroxide solution.

1.2 Introduction
The concentration of a solution is the amount of solute ( species dissolved ) in a
given amount of solvent ( dissolving agent ). A concentrated solution contains
relatively large quantity of solute in a given amount of solvent. Dilute solutions
contain relatively little solute in a given amount of solvent. There are 2 specifics term
to express concentration, which is molarity and percent by mass.
Molarity is the number of moles of solute per liter of solution.
Molarity (M) =

moles of solute
volume of solution

Percent by mass is the mass in grams of solute per 100 grams of solution.
Percent solute =

grams of solute
grams of solution

100%

Vinegar is an essentially a solution of acetic acid (CH 3COOH) in water. Acetic

acid is an example for weak base. Titration process can be determined a molarity
and percent by mass of acetic acid in a vinegar. Titration is a process of determining
the concentration of a substance in solution by adding to it a standard reagent of
known concentration in carefully measured amounts until a reaction of definite and
known proportion is completed and then calculating the unknown concentration. The
purpose of titration is to determine the equivalence point of the reaction. The
equivalence point is reach when the added quantity of one reactant is the exact
amount necessary for stoichiometric reaction with another reactant.
Other than that, using basic stoichiometry, the moles of acetic acid (CH 3COOH)
in the vinegar solution can be determined from the moles of NaOH added to the
reaction.
CH3COOH + NaOH

CH3COONa + H2O

1.3 Objective
a) To determine the molarity of a solution and the percent by mass of the acetic
acid in vinegar by titration with standardized sodium hydroxide solution.
1.4 Theory
In the titration process, a burette was used to dispense a small, quantifiable
increment of solution of known concentration. A typical burette has the smallest
calibration unit of 0.1 mL and volume dispense from the burette should be estimated
to the nearest 0.01mL.
The equivalence point occurs when the moles of acid in the solution equals to the
moles of base added in the titration. For instance, the stoichiometric amount of 1
mole of the strong base, sodium hydroxide can neutralize 1 mole of the weak acid,
acetic acid (CH3CO2H).
NaOH (aq) + CH3CO2H (aq) NaCH3CO2 (aq) + H2O (l)
The titration has reached the equivalence point when the pH of the solution was
sudden changed. pH in an aqueous solution was related to its hydrogen ion
concentration [H3O+] . Ph is defined as the negative of the logarithm of the hydrogen
ion concentration.
pH = - log [H3O+]
pH scale is a method of expressing the acidity or basicity of the solution. Solutions
having pH < 7 are acidic, pH = 7 are neutral and pH > 7 are basic. pH electrode will
be used in this experiment. The titration is initiated by inserting a pH electrode into a
beaker containing the acid solution ( pH within 3-5 ). As a sodium hydroxide, NaOH,
is incrementally added to the acid solution, some of the hydrogen ions will be
neutralized. As the hydrogen ion concentration decreases, the pH of the solution will
gradually increase. When sufficient NaOH is added to completely neutralize the acid
( most of the H3O+ ions are removed from the solution ), the next drop of NaOH
added will cause a sudden sharp increase in pH. The volume of based required to
completely neutralized the acid is determine at the equivalence point of titration.
In the experiment, titration of vinegar sample with a standardized sodium hydroxide
solution will be done. To standardize the sodium hydroxide solution, of a primary
standard acid solution is initially prepared. In general, primary standard solutions are
produce by dissolving a weighed quantity of pure acid or base in a known volume of
solution. Primary standard acid or bases have several common characteristics:

They must be available in at least 99.9 purity

They must have high molar mass to minimize error in weighing
They must be stable upon heating

They must be soluble in the solvent of interest

Potassium hydrogen phthalate KHC8H4O4 and oxalic acid (COOH)2 , are common
primary standard acid. Sodium carbonate Na2CO3 is the most commonly used
based. Most acids and bases such as HCl, CH3COOH, NaOH and KOH are most
available as primary standard. To standardize one of these acid and bases solution,
titration of the solution with primary standard should be done. In this experiment,
NaOH solution will be titrated with potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP). The
equation for this reaction will be:
KHC8H4O4 (aq) + NaOH (aq) KNaC8H4O4 (aq) + H2O (l)
Once the sodium hydroxide solution has been standardizes, it will be used to titrate
10.00mL aliquots of vinegar. The equation for the reaction of vinegar with NaOH is
CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) NaCH3COO (aq) + H2O (l)

1.5 Apparatus
0.6M sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH solid, potassium hydroxide phthalate (KHP),
distilled water and vinegar.
250mL beaker, pipette, 50mL burette, pH electrodes, analytical balance, glass rod,
magnetic stirrer, 10mL measuring cylinder, retort stand and conical flask.
1.5.1 Standardize of sodium hydroxide solution.

1.5.2 Molarity of acetic acid and percent of vinegar.

1.6 Procedure
1.6.1 Standardize of sodium hydroxide solution.
1. 250 mL of approximately 0.6 M sodium hydroxide solution from NaOH solid
was prepared. The solution was prepared in a beaker and the calculation was
calculated to prepare the solution with the laboratory instructor. The
calculation was recorded.
2. A 250 mL beaker was weighed and the mass of the beaker was recorded to
the nearest 0.001g. 1.5 grams of KHP was added to the beaker. The mass of
beaker and KHP were recorded to the nearest 0.001g. The mass of KHP was
calculated by difference and the data was recorded. 30 mL of distilled water
had been added to the beaker. The solution was stirred until KHP dissolved
completely.
3. The solution was titrated with NaOH and the pH with 1 mL of NaOH solution
was recorded.
4. Step 1 to 3 were repeated to perform a second and third trial to standardize
the NaOH solution.
5. The graph of pH versus NaOH had been plotted. The volume of NaOH
required to neutralize the KHP solution in each titration were determined from
the plots.
6. The molarity of NaOH for titration 1 and 2 was calculated.
7. The average molarity of NaOH solution for titration 1 and 2 was calculated.
The result of NaOH solution had been used in part B of the experiment.

1.6.2 Molarity of acetic acid and percent of vinegar.

1. A 10 mL volumetric pipette was used to transfer 10.00 mL of vinegar to a
clean and dry 250 mL beaker. 75 to 100 mL of water was added sufficiently to
cover the pH electrode tip during the titration.
2. 1 mL of NaOH was added to the vinegar solution and the pH was recorded.
3. The above steps was repeated twice more.
4. The graph of pH against volume NaOH added was plotted. The volume of
NaOH required to neutralized vinegar in each titration were determine from
the plots. The data was recorded.
5. The molarity of acetic acid in vinegar for titration 1 and 2 was calculated.
6.

The average molarity of acetic acid for each titration was calculated.

7. The percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar for titration 1 and 2 was
calculated.
8. The percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar was calculated.

1.7 Result
Experiment 1
TITRATION 1

TITRATION 2

Volume NaOH added

(mL)

pH

Volume NaOH added

(mL)

pH

1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0

4.324
4.513
4.661
4.813
4.932
5.046
5.168
5.296
5.428
5.599
5.775
6.027
6.618
12.003

1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0

4.126
4.533
4.682
4.800
4.899
5.081
5.241
5.366
5.521
5.702
5.961
6.403
6.994
12.069

pH against volume of NaOH added

14
12
10
8

pH

titration 1

titration 2

4
2
0
1

10

Volume of NaOH added ( mL )

11

12

13

14

Experiment 2
Volume of NaOH added
( mL )

TITRATION 1, pH

TITRATION 2, pH

1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0
38.0

2.935
3.406
3.550
3.822
3.876
4.007
4.095
4.157
4.231
4.281
4.342
4.412
4.476
4.521
4.572
4.629
4.689
4.743
4.797
4.853
4.927
4.960
4.981
5.083
5.106
5.144
5.195
5.289
5.393
5.504
5.607
5.748
5.964
6.225
7.218
11.623
12.094

3.003
3.208
3.401
3.585
3.738
3.860
3.953
4.047
4.107
4.162
4.245
4.335
4.423
4.471
4.531
4.565
4.643
4.697
4.745
4.810
4.862
4.922
4.976
5.045
5.100
5.176
5.257
5.370
5.397
5.401
5.500
5.620
5.784
5.995
6.333
7.491
11.687
12.111

pH against Volume of NaOH added

14
12
10
8

pH

Titration 1

Titration 2

4
2
0

Volume of NaOH added

1.8 Calculation
1.8.1 Standardization of sodium hydroxide solution.
Experiment 1
Calculation for preparing 150 mL of approximately 0.6M sodium hydroxide solution,
Molarity (M) = moles of solute / volume of solution
Moles of solute ( NaOH ) = molarity x volume of solution
= 0.6 M x 0.25 L
= 0.15 mole
Mass of solute ( NaOH ) = moles of NaOH x molar mass of NaOH
= 0.15 mol x 40 g/mol
= 6 g of NaOH
Titration 1
99.440

Titration 2
101.311

100.890

102.823

Mass of KHP (g)

1.450

1.512

Volume of NaOH to
neutralize the KHP
solution (mL)

14.000

14.000

Mass of beaker (g)

Mass of beaker + KHP (g)

1.8.2 Calculations of molarity of sodium hydroxide for each titration 1 and 2.

Titration 1
Moles of KHP,
1.450 g KHC8H4O4 ( 1 mol KHC8H4O4 / 204.2 g KHC8H4O4 ) = 0.007101 mol
KHC8H4O4
Moles of NaOH required neutralizing the moles KHP,
0.007101 mol KHP ( 1 mol NaOH / 1 mol KHP ) = 0.007101 mol NaOH
Molarity of the NaOH solution,
13.50 mL NaOH ( 1L / 1000 mL ) = 0.01350 L NaOH
Molarity of NaOH solution = mole of NaOH / volume of solution
= 0.007101 mol of NaOH / 0.01350 L of NaOH
= 0.526 M
Titration 2
Moles of KHP,
1.512 g KHC8H4O4 ( 1 mol KHC8H4O4 / 204.2 g KHC8H4O4 ) = 0.007405 mol
KHC8H4O4
Moles of NaOH required neutralizing the moles KHP,
0.007405 mol KHP ( 1 mol NaOH / 1 mol KHP ) = 0.007405 mol NaOH
Molarity of the NaOH solution,
13.50 mL NaOH ( 1L / 1000 mL ) = 0.01350 L NaOH
Molarity of NaOH solution = mole of NaOH / volume of solution
= 0.007405 mol of NaOH / 0.01350 L of NaOH
= 0.549 M

1.8.3 Calculations average molarity of sodium hydroxide solution for titration 1 and 2.
Experiment 1
Average molarity of NaOH = ( molarity 1 + molarity 2 ) / 2
= (0.526 M + 0.549 M ) / 2
= 0.538 M of NaOH

1.8.4 Calculations of molarity of acetic acid in vinegar titration 1 and 2.

Experiment 2

Volume of NaOH
required to neutralize
vinegar (mL)

Titration 1

Titration 2

37.00

38.00

Titration 1
Moles of NaOH that reacted,
35 mL ( 1L / 1000 mL ) = 0.035 L of NaOH
0.035 L of NaOH ( 0.538 mole of NaOH / 1L of NaOH ) = 0.01883 mol of NaOH
Moles of acetic acid neutralized by the moles of NaOH,
0.01883 mol of NaOH ( 1 mol of CH3COOH / 1 mol NaOH ) = 0.01883 mol of
CH3COOH
Molarity of acetic acid,
10mL of CH3COOH ( 1L / 1000 mL ) = 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
Molarity = moles of CH3COOH / L of CH3COOH
= 0.01883 mol of CH3COOH / 0.01 L CH3COOH solution
= 1.883 M of CH3COOH

Titration 2
Moles of NaOH that reacted,
36 mL ( 1L / 1000 mL ) = 0.036 L of NaOH
0.036 L of NaOH ( 0.538 mole of NaOH / 1L of NaOH ) = 0.01937 mol of NaOH
Moles of acetic acid neutralized by the moles of NaOH,
0.01937 mol of NaOH ( 1 mol of CH3COOH / 1 mol NaOH ) = 0.01937 mol of
CH3COOH
Molarity of acetic acid,
10mL of CH3COOH ( 1L / 1000 mL ) = 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
Molarity = moles of CH3COOH / L of CH3COOH
= 0.01937 mol of CH3COOH / 0.01 L CH3COOH solution
= 1.937 M of CH3COOH

1.8.5 Calculations of average molarity of acetic acid for each titration 1 and 2.
Average molarity of acetic acid = ( molarity 1 + molarity 2 ) / 2
= (1.883 M of CH 3COOH + 1.937 M of CH3COOH) / 2
= 1.910 M of CH 3COOH

1.8.6 Calculation of the percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar for titration 1 and
2.
Titration 1
Mass of acetic acid in vinegar,
10mL CH3COOH ( 1L / 1000mL ) = 0.01 L of CH3COOH
0.01 of CH3COOH (1.883 M of CH3COOH / 1L of solution ) ( 60.06 g of
CH3COOH / 1 mol of CH3COOH ) = 1.131 g of CH3COOH

Mass of acetic acid solution,

10mL of CH3COOH ( 1g of CH3COOH / 1 mol of CH3COOH ) = 10 g of CH3COOH
Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution,
% by mass of CH3COOH = ( mass of CH3COOH in vinegar / mass of CH3COOH )
100%
= (1.131 g of CH 3COOH / 10 g of CH3COOH ) 100%
= 11.31 % of CH3COOH

Titration 2
Mass of acetic acid in vinegar,
10mL CH3COOH ( 1L / 1000mL ) = 0.01 L of CH3COOH
0.01 of CH3COOH (1.937 M of CH3COOH / 1L of solution ) ( 60.06 g of
CH3COOH / 1 mol of CH3COOH ) = 1.163 g of CH3COOH

Mass of acetic acid solution,

10mL of CH3COOH ( 1g of CH3COOH / 1 mol of CH3COOH ) = 10 g of CH3COOH
Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution,
% by mass of CH3COOH = ( mass of CH3COOH in vinegar / mass of CH3COOH )
100%
= (1.163 g of CH 3COOH / 10 g of CH3COOH ) 100%
= 11.63 % of CH3COOH

1.8.7 Calculation of the average percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar.

Average % by mass of CH3COOH in vinegar
= ( Titration 1 + Titration 2) / 2
= (11.31 % of CH3COOH + 11.63 % of CH3COOH) / 2
= 11.47 % of CH3COOH

1.9 Discussion
Objective for this experiment is to determine the molarity of a solution and the
percent by mass of the acetic acid in vinegar by titration with standardized sodium
hydroxide solution. At the same time, we need to determine the average molarity of
sodium hydroxide at equivalence point to get the concentration of acetic acid.
In this experiment, NaOH solution will be titrated with potassium hydrogen
phthalate (KHP). The equation for this reaction will be:
KHC8H4O4 (aq) + NaOH (aq) KNaC8H4O4 (aq) + H2O (l)
After that, we can determine the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar with follow
this reaction:
CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) NaCH3COO (aq) + H2O (l)
Potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) is primary standard was used at this
experiment. KHP is a monoprotic acid of known molar mass = 204.2 g/mol = 204.2
mg/mmol. One mole of the acid reacts with one mole of NaOH. We make a solution
of precisely known volume from an accurately weighed sample of KHP. The
concentration of that solution is known and fixed.
At the same time, to make sure there was not error during experiment, the
titration process had done repeated. So, this will assure that the titration process will
had less error.
For the experiment 1, the volume of NaOH solution required to neutralize the
KHP solution in titration 1 and titration 2 is 14.00 mL. Molarity of sodium hydroxide
for titration 1 is 0.526M while for titration 2 is 0.549M. So, the average molarity of
sodium hydroxide solution for experiment 1 is 0.538M. By titration curve in the graph,
both titration curves in experiment 1 were slightly same. However, there was small
different between these two curve. This shows increment of pH in first titration curve
is smaller than second titration curve. Other than that, sodium hydroxide from
experiment 1 can be used in experiment 2.
For the experiment 2, the volume of NaOH solution required to neutralize
vinegar in titration 1 is 37.00mL while 38.00mL for titration 2. Molarity of acetic acid in
vinegar for titration 1 is 1.883M and 1.937M for titration 2. So, the average molarity of
acetic acid for this experiment is 1.910M. Percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar
for titration 1 is 11.31% while other titration is 11.63%. So, average percent by mass
of acetic acid in vinegar is 11.47%. By titration curve in the graph, titration 1 is more
accurate than titration 2. This is because the volume of NaOH in titration 1 is less
than in titration 2 in order to get the base. At the same time, both titration increment
of pH is slightly same.

2.0 Conclusion.
Both of the experiments that standardized of sodium hydroxide solution and
determination of the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar had been done by titration
process. To make sure the experiment has less error or no error when determine the
volume of NaOH required, the titration process must be done repeatedly.
In experiment 1, the volume of NaOH solution required to neutralize the KHP
solution in titration 1 and titration 2 is 14.00 mL. Molarity of sodium hydroxide for
titration 1 is 0.526M while for titration 2 is 0.549M. So, the average molarity of
sodium hydroxide solution for experiment 1 is 0.538M.
In experiment 2, the volume of NaOH solution required to neutralize vinegar in
titration 1 is 37.00mL while 38.00mL for titration 2. Molarity of acetic acid in vinegar
for titration 1 is 1.883M and 1.937M for titration 2. So, the average molarity of acetic
acid for this experiment is 1.910M. Percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar for
titration 1 is 11.31% while other titration is 11.63%. So, average percent by mass of
acetic acid in vinegar is 11.47%.

2.0 Recommendation.
There are several errors during experiment. Firstly, the eyes are not
perpendicular to reading a scale cause a parallax error. Next, there is zero error
because air bubbles at the burette while filling the NaOH solution and has effect
initial reading. The apparatus such as beakers are not being rinsed with distilled
water before use and some of apparatus such as beaker not completely dry and
clean and give effect to solution.
Precaution steps that we must take are the eyes must perpendicular to reading
a scale to avoid parallax error. Next, make sure air bubble doesnt present in the
nozzle of the burette. Besides, the beaker, pipette, burette and the flask should be
washed properly with distilled water. At the same time, make sure the apparatus
such as beaker is completely dry and clean.

2.1 References.

Laboratory manual CHE 485, fakulti kejuruteraan kimia, Universiti Teknologi

Mara.

Date of search: 7/10/2014

http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Class/che133/lectures/calc011.htmlhttp://www.ic.sun
ysb.edu/Class/che133/lectures/calc011.html
http://chemtech.org/cn/cn1105/experiments/percent_vinegar.pdf
https://www.scribd.com/doc/3744536/Precautions-of-experiment-of-physics

Date of search: 10/10/2014

Martin S. Silberberg, 2009, Chemistry The molecular Nature of Matter and

Change, 5th edition, McGraw Hill Higher Education, New York, page 789.