COMMON ION EFFECT AND BUFFERS

G. BERNARDO
DEPARTMENT OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY 1101, PHILIPPINES
DATE SUBMITTED: 9 SEPTEMBER 2016
DATE PERFORMED: 2 SEPTEMBER 2016

1. Account for the differences in color of Solutions 1 and 2 after adding

methyl orange indicator.
Methyl orange is commonly used as an indicator for strong acid-weak base
titrations. The indicator changes its color for pH ranging from 3.1-4.4. At pH
3.1, the color is red, whereas at pH 4.4, the color becomes orange-yellow.
Solution 1, which is 30.0 mL 0.10 M CH3COOH, turned faint pink after adding
the indicator. The solution also recorded a pH 2.44 reading, further indicating
that it is an acid. Moreover, Solution 2, which constitutes 15 mL CH 3COOH
15 mL 0.20 M NaCH3COO, turned faint yellow after adding methyl orange to it.
This solution recorded a pH 4.63 reading, confirming it is an alkaline.
2. Account for the differences in color of Solutions 3 and 4 after adding
phenolphthalein indicator.
Phenolphthalein is another solution used as an acid-base indicator which is
colorless in acids and pink in bases. Based on the experiment, Solution 3,
which consists of 30.0 mL 0.10 M NH 3, turned dark pink after adding the
indicator while Solution 4, which consists of 15.0 mL 0.20 M NH 3 15.0 mL
0.20 M NH4Cl, turned faint pink. Solution 3 also recorded a pH 11.01 reading
while Solution 4 recorded a pH 9.26 reading. Thus, confirming their alkalinity.
3. Which causes a larger change in pH, addition of 3 drops of 1.0 M HCl
(or 3 drops of 1.0 M NaOH) to Solution 1, 2, 3, or 4? Explain.
The pH readings for Solutions 1 and 3 changed drastically after adding 3
drops of 1.0 M HCl or NaOH. The recorded pH changes for Solution 1 are -0.57
(for HCl) and +0.72 (for NaOH), while Solution 3 recorded -1.03 (for HCl) and
+1.05 (for NaOH). This is mainly due to the common-ion effect. The commonion effect works by restoring the balance in the system once stress is applied
and suppressing the dissociation of the weak acid or base. In this case, the
common ion was added to the reactants (which are the weak acid/base), thus
shifting the equilibrium towards their direction.
4. Compare the different methods of determining pH: visual indicators,
pH meter, and calculations. Compare the accuracy of the three
methods employed.
Visual indicators, such as methyl orange and phenolphthalein, indicate acidity
or alkalinity by changing their colors when changes in the pH occurs in a
solution. Although visual or optical methods reveal the acidity or alkalinity of
solutions, they do not express the exact pH measurement of these solutions.
If certain solutions do not express drastic color changes when these indicators
come in contact with them, the measurement is uncertain. On the other hand,
calculating the pH is another method of measuring the pH of solutions.
However, achieving the calculated pH during experiments is difficult since it

requires the set-ups to be ideal. Performing experiments are subject to minor

errors so following the theoretical/calculated pH is most of the time unlikely.
Lastly, using pH meters can be the most accurate among the three methods
used in this experiment. This is mainly because the pH meter can be
calibrated so that the pH readings are accurate. The pH meter can also
indicate the numerical values of the pH measurement which makes this
method even more reliable.
5. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the
calculated parameters? Rationalize.
One of the possible errors that can occur during the experiment is human
error. The analysts may have failed to properly differentiate the color intensity
of the solutions after dropping HCl or NaOH on them. Another possible error
that can occur during experimentation is instrumental error. The instruments
used may have not been properly calibrated or the instrument malfunctioned
while doing the experiment. The instrument may have fluctuated as well
when the experimenters were recording the pH reading.
REFERENCES
Higgins, P. (2014). pH Measurement Methods - Advantages and Disadvantages.
Retrieved from YSI: https://www.ysi.com/ysi-blog/water-bloggedblog/2014/10/ph-measurement-methods-advantages-and-disadvantages
Saylor. (2012). Retrieved from Saylor: http://www.saylor.org/site/wpcontent/uploads/2012/07/Common-Ion-Effect.pdf
Senese, F. (2010). General Chemistry Online. Retrieved from General Chemistry
Online:
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/acidbase/faq/methylorange.shtml

Solution 1

1.8 x 10-5 =

1.8 x 10-5 =

+
H

C H 3 CO O

[ X ] [X ]
[0.1X ]

1.33 x 10-3 = X
-3

pH = -log 1.33 x 10 + log

1.33 x 103
0.09867

pH = 2.88
Solution 1a (HCl)
pH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 + log
pH = 3.44
Solution 1b (NaOH)
-5

pH = -log 1.8 x 10 +

0.00015
0.003

0.00015
2.85 x 10 -3

pH = 4.80

Solution 2
pH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 +log

0.20
0.20

pH = 4.74
Solution 2a (HCl)
pH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 +log

0.00285
0.00315

pH = 4.61
Solution 2b (NaOH)
pH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 +
pH = 5.65

Solution 3

0.00285
0.00315

1.8 x 10-5 =

+
N H 4

OH

1.8 x 10-5 =

[ Y ] [Y ]
[ 0.10 ] [1]

1.8 x 10-5 =

[Y ]

1.3 x 10-3 = [ Y
pOH = - log 1.3 x 10-3
pOH = 2.89
pH = 14 2.89
pH = 11.1
Solution 3a (HCl)
pOH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 +

log

0.00015
0.00285

log

0.00015
0.00315

log

0.20
0.20

pOH = 3.47
pH = 14 3.47
pH = 10.53
Solution 3b (NaOH)
pOH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 +
pOH = 3.42
pH= 14 3.42
pH = 10.58
Solution 4
pOH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 +
pOH = 4.74
pH = 14 4.74
pH = 9.26
Solution 4a (HCl)
pOH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 pOH = 4.79
pH = 14 4.79
pH = 9.21
Solution 4b (NaOH)

log

0.00285
0.00315

pOH = -log 1.8 x 10-5 +

pOH = 4.70
pH = 14 4.70
pH = 9.30

log

0.00285
0.00315