UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
(CHE485)

NAME
STUDENT NO.
GROUP
EXPERIMENT
VINEGAR
DATE PERFORMED
SEMESTER
PROGRAMME / CODE
ENGINEERING & PROCESS

No.
1
2
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Title
Abstract/Summary
Introduction
Aims
Theory
Apparatus
Methodology/Procedure
Results
Calculations
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
Reference / Appendix
TOTAL MARKS

Remarks:
Checked by :
--------------------------Date :

:
:
:
:

NUR FARHANA BINTI JELEN

2014824828
EH 241 2B
DETERMINATION OF ACETIC ACID IN
: 27/03/2015
:2
: BACHELOR OF CHEMICAL

Allocated Marks (%)

5
10
5
10
5
10
10
10
20
5
5
5
100

Marks

Abstract
Unknown acid solution is an organic compound that is in form of colourless solution and
classified as a weak acid. In this experiment, the acid ionization constant Ka, of weak acid
solutions is determined by using titration with standardization of sodium hydroxide and by
measuring the pH of the weak acids. The experiment is set up by measure 10 mL of two
unknown acid. This, two unknown acid solution then titrated with sodium, hydroxide
solution. Both titrations for two unknown acid solution are repeated to perform second trial to
get more accurate result. Another method is by measuring the pH of the weak acid by using
pH meter. The pH meter then is put into each of the unknown acid solution until the pH
reading is constant. Based on the results, it can be conclude that, the larger the Ka value, the
stronger the acid.
Introduction
Acid and bases can be described as weak acid and base or strong acid and base. Acid
ionization constant values are usually used for acid. Weak acid interact with water to produce
concentrations of ions. The degree of ionization is described by the equilibrium constant Ka,
HA(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + A- (aq)
Since an equilibrium exist, an equilibrium constant Ka can be written as :
Ka = [H3O+][A-] / [HA]
The Ka value is an indication of acid strength. The larger the value of Ka, the stronger the
acid. This value is characteristic of the acid and can be used to identify an unknown acid. A
similar system exist for bases is Kb.
Theory
We will be using the two methods for determining the Ka values of two unknown acid
solution. A solution of unknown acid is prepared and then titrated with standardization of
sodium hydroxide solution. Titration is a technique where a solution known concentration is
used to determine the concentration of unknown solution. Typically, the titrant is added from
a burette to a known quantity of the unknown solution until the reaction is complete.
Knowing the volume of titrant added allows the determination of the concentration of the
unknown. Usually, indicator is used as a signal end of the reaction called end point. The other

method is by measuring the pH of the unknown acid solution. It is a suitable method because
we can easily get through the pH reading of the two unknown acid solution.
Purpose
To determine the ionization constant Ka, for weak acid by using two method which is
titration with standardization of sodium hydroxide solution and the other method is by
measuring the pH of the weak acid.
Apparatus and Material
pH meter, 10 mL of two unknown acid solution, burette, standard base solution (0.10 M
NaOH), beakers, distilled water, dropper, stirrer bar, retort stands and clamps.
Procedure
1. Firstly, 10 mL of two unknown acid solution is put into each beaker. Then, the two
unknown acid solution are titrated with standardization of sodium hydroxide solution.
The pH reading is recorded for every 0.5 mL of sodium hydroxide solution needed to
neutralize the acid. The equivalence point is reached when pH reading are constant.
2. The experiment is repeated to perform second trial to get an accurate result.
3. Based on the result, a graph of pH against volume of sodium hydroxide needed to
neutralize the acid solution is plotted. From the graph, we can determine the Ka of the
two unknown acid solution.
4. Then, the experiment is proceed to a second method which is measuring the pH of
weak acid. The pH meter is put into two unknown acid solution until the pH reading
become constant. The constant pH is recorded.
Result
First method : titration with standardization of sodium hydroxide solution
Unknown acid 1

Volume of sodium hydroxide

Titration 1
11.50 mL

Titration 2
12.00 mL

12.24

12.24

to neutralize the unknown

acid, mL
pH values

Unknown acid 2

Volume of sodium hydroxide

Titration 1
12.50 mL

Titration 2
12.50 mL

12.24

12.20

to neutralize the unknown

acid, mL
pH value

Second method : measuring the pH

Unknown acid 1
Volume of unknown acid , mL
pH value

10 mL
4.17

Unknown acid 2
Volume of unknown acid , mL
pH value

Calculations
i)

First method

Unknown acid 1
First trial
Half equilibrium point = 4.20
pH = - log PKa
pH = - log Ka
4.2 = - log Ka
Ka = 10-4.2
= 6.309 x 10-5
Second trial
Half equilibrium point = 4.18
pH = - log PKa
pH = - log Ka

10 mL
3.57

4.18 = - log Ka
Ka = 10-4.18
= 6.6069 x 10-5
Average Ka of uknown acid 1 = 6.45 x 10-5
Calculate molarity :
First trial
VNaOH = 11.50 mL , MNaOH = 0.1 M
Vunknown acid 1 = 10 mL , Munknown acid 1 = ?
MV

nNaOH = 1000 , nNaOH =

(0.1 M )(11.50 mL )
1000

, nNaOH = 1.15 x 10-3 mol

Assume ;
1 mol NaOH I mol unknown acid
1.15 x 10-3 mol NaOH 1.15 x 10-3 mol unknown acid
From the assumption, the molarity of unknown acid 1 is ;
M=

1000 n
V

,M=

1000 (1.15 x 10 )
10

, M = 0.115 M

Second trial
VNaOH = 12.00 mL , MNaOH = 0.1 M
Vunknown acid 1 = 10 mL , Munknown acid 1 = ?
MV

nNaOH = 1000 , nNaOH =

(0.1 M )(12.00 mL)

1000

, nNaOH = 1.2 x 10-3 mol

Assume ;
1 mol NaOH I mol unknown acid
1.2 x 10-3 mol NaOH 1.2 x 10-3 mol unknown acid
From the assumption, the molarity of unknown acid 1 is ;
M=

1000 n
V

,M=

1000 (1.2 x 103 )

10

, M = 0.12 M

Average molarity of unknown acid 1 = 0.12 M

Unknown acid 2

First trial
pH = 7
Half equilibrium point = 4.75
pH = - log PKa
pH = - log Ka
4.75 = - log Ka
Ka = 10-4.75
= 1.778 x 10-5
Second trial
Half equilibrium point = 4.73
pH = - log PKa
pH = - log Ka
4.73 = - log Ka
Ka = 10-4.73
= 1.862 x 10-5
Average Ka of uknown acid 1 = 1.8200 x 10-5
Calculate molarity :
First trial
VNaOH = 12.50 mL , MNaOH = 0.1 M
Vunknown acid 1 = 10 mL , Munknown acid 1 = ?

nNaOH =

MV
1000

, nNaOH =

(0.1 M )(12 .50 mL)

1000

, nNaOH = 1.25 x 10-3 mol

Assume ;
1 mol NaOH I mol unknown acid
1.25 x 10-3 mol NaOH 1.25 x 10-3 mol unknown acid
From the assumption, the molarity of unknown acid 1 is ;
M=

1000 n
V

,M=

1000 (1.25 x 10 )
10

Second trial
VNaOH = 12.50 mL , MNaOH = 0.1 M
Vunknown acid 1 = 10 mL , Munknown acid 1 = ?

, M = 0.125 M

nNaOH =

MV
1000

, nNaOH =

(0.1 M )(12.5 0 mL)

1000

, nNaOH = 1.25 x 10-3 mol

Assume ;
1 mol NaOH I mol unknown acid
1.25 x 10-3 mol NaOH 1.25 x 10-3 mol unknown acid
From the assumption, the molarity of unknown acid 1 is ;
M=

1000 n
V

,M=

1000 (1.2 5 x 10 )
10

, M = 0.125 M

Average molarity of unknown acid 1 = 0.125 M

ii)

Second method

Unknown acid 1