Acid Based Titration

Rochester Institute of Technology

Chris Gargone
11/4/16

Abstract
The objective of the experiment was to standardize a solution of NaOH, using potassium
hydrogen phthalate, KHP, as a standard and determine the purity of an impure sample of KHP,
using the standardized solution of NaOH. The methods and tools used in the experiment was a
ring stand, buret clamp, buret funnel, buret, stop cock, Erlenmeyer flask, two 250 mL flasks, and
one 100mL graduated cylinder. The major findings of the experiment were that the average
purity of the unknown samples is approximately 95.2 %.

Experimental
The experiment began by assembling the titration apparatus using a ring stand, buret clamp,
buret funnel, buret, stop cock, and an Erlenmeyer flask. The magnetic stir plate was not used and
instead replaced by the wine glass stir. After assembling the apparatus, fill the buret to the top
with 0.1 M stock NaOH and record where the NaOH stops on the top. Open the stop cock
momentarily to let the solution fill the buret completely. Weigh 0.3g of KHP in a plastic
weighing boat and measure the exact mass sans the mass of the weighing boat. Transfer the 0.3g
of KHP into a 250mL flask and add about 30mL of distilled water. Then add five drops of
phenolphthalein. Next, stir using the wine glass stir technique until all contents are dissolved.
After stirring, place the flask underneath the buret and gradually add the NaOH solution and stop
when the contents of the flask turn a pale pink color. Record how much NaOH solution is left in
the buret and calculate the molarity. Repeat these steps for three more trials. For procedure 2 the
steps are identical with the exception of using an unknown instead of KHP. Weigh and record the
exact mass of about 0.5g of unknown. Place the 0.5g of unknown into a clean, dry 250mL flask
and add 30mL of distilled water and 5 drops of phenolphthalein. Repeat steps above.

Data/Results
Table 1
Run #

Mass of

Vi (mL)

1
2

KHP (g)
.2847
.2921

2.1
2.5

3
4

.3000
.3150

2.4
2.1

Vf (mL)

Vf Vi (mL)

Molarity of

17.5
16.7

15.4
14.2

NaOH (M)
.091
.1007

17
17

14.6
14.9
Average
St. Dev
95% CI

.1006
.1035
.098
.0068
.0124

Table 2
Run #

Mass of

Vi (mL)

Vf (mL)

Unknown

Vi-Vf

Mass of

Purity of

(mL)

KHP (g)

Unknown

(g)
1
2

.5530
.4929

2.7
2.2

26.0
26.6

23.3
24.4

.466
.488

84.2%
99.1%

.5151

2.5

30.6

28.1

.562

109.1%

.4959

2.0

23.9

21.9
Average
St. Dev
95% CI

.438
.488
.067
.1230

88.4%

Discussion
The insight I gained from the lab was that we were accurate enough to come within .002 of the
actual Molarity expected and that stoichiometry can accomplish a lot of data and results by
converting units. Some random errors that may have occurred are, misreading the measurements

on the buret, accidentally putting too much NaOH into the solution, or using different scales
throughout the experiment which can lead to data that isnt precise.