DETERMINATION OF ALKALINE STRENGTH OF PEARL ASH

ABSTRACT

The aim/objective of this experiment is to determine the total alkaline strength of pearl ash or potassium carbonate(K 2CO3). The
method used in the experiment is volumetric method of analysis. Specifically, Alkalimetry, a kind of volumetric analysis in which the
fundamental reaction is a neutralization reaction. The percent alkaline strength of potassium carbonate(K2CO3) in first trial is 60% and
in the second trial is 65%. The percent alkaline strength of potassium oxide (K2O) in first trial is 41% and in the second trial is 44%.
Conclusion:

INTRODUCTION

Potassium Carbonate (commonly potash or peal ash), a white, crystalline, substance that produces a strong alkaline water
solution. It is prepared commercially by electrolysis of potassium chloride to produce potassium hydroxide, it is then carbonated.
Initially attained from wood ashes or from the residue left in pots after certain plants. It is also a component in the manufacture of soft
soaps and glass, and in the production of other potassium compounds.

Volumetric Analysis is quantitative analytical method that is used to determine the volume of a solution of known
concentration which needs to react to a solution that is being analyzed. A reagent of a known substance is slowly added from a burette
to the solution with a that is in the erlenmeyer flask in a process called titration. The reagent of known concentration used is HCl
which is added to the pearl ash solution with a methyl orange as the indicator. The success of the titration can be determined if the end
point has been reached. The end of the titration is marked by the change of color of the solution.

In this experiment, the goal is to determine quantitatively, the total alkaline strength of pearl ash or potassium
carbonate(K2CO3). This aims to relate the neutralization process between the titration of a basic substance with a standard acid
solution called alkalimetry.

The significance of this experiment is that the process to determine the concentration of an unknown solution is easy, precise
and simple. The instruments required to perform this method are simple and common. The results can be acquired in a short time of
period. There is also a variety of methods to the different types of substances and it also doesnt require professional skills to perform
the method but needs some practice to have accurate results.

According to BBC, this process is significant in checking for purity in samples of chemicals that are made because in
pharmaceuticals, samples of chemicals need to have a high level of purity because a small impurity can greatly harm a patient.

Moreover, in (Diaz, 2013) Quantitative Determination of Soda Ash Composition by Double Indicator Titration found that in
the first trial 32.9% Na2CO3 and 72. 1 %NaHCO3; for the second trial 24.1 % Na 2CO3 and 76. 1% NaHCO3; and lastly, the third trial
23.8 % N a2CO3 and 94.6% NaHCO3. There are two indicators used namely phenolphthalein and methyl orange which has close
equivalence point to the desired end point. This experiment determined the percent composition of compounds such as NaHCO 3 and
Na2CO3 present in soda ash sample which helps in having its alkaline value that gives the total acid neutralizing capacity of the
substance. This test will benefit the industry of production of soap, glasses, paper and many more.

References:

Diaz, Y. (2013). Quantitative Determination of Soda Ash Composition by Double Indicator Titration. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/doc/207256468/Quantitative-Determination-of-Soda-Ash-Composition-by-Double-Indicator-Titration

McPherson, Peter. Practical Volumetric Analysis, 2015. The Royal Society of Chemistry, Google Books. Retrieved from
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=LeGYBAAAQBAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s

potassium carbonate. (2016). In P. Lagasse, & Columbia University, The Columbia encyclopedia. New York, NY: Columbia
University Press. Retrieved from http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/potassium_carbonate/0?
institutionId=2569