LABORATORY REPORT

SEMESTER 1 2019/2020

SUBMISSION DATE : 23/09/2019

CENTER : PREPARATORY CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY
COURSE CODE : SK0011
COURSE NAME : PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY I
EXPERIMENT NO. : 4
TITLE OF : pH MEASUREMENT AND ITS APPLICATIONS
EXPERIMENT
GROUP : 1
DEMONSTRATOR : MISS JOVINA PATRIC

NO MATRIC STUDENTS NAME

. NUMBER
1 FS19110247 NUR MAISARAH SOFIA BINTI ISMAIL
2 FS19110253 MAHIRAH KHALISAH AZRA BINTI FADILAH
3 FS19110217 NUR IZZAHWANI BINTI MARTANG
4 FS19110250 AFIQ AZFAR BIN BANI
Introduction

An acid-base indicator is either a weak acid or weak base that exhibits a color
change as the concentration of hydrogen (H+) or hydroxide (OH-) ions changes in
an aqueous solution. Acid-base indicators are most often used in a titration to identify
the endpoint of an acid-base reaction. They are also used to gauge pH values and for
interesting color-change science demonstrations. It is also known as pH indicator. Also
the best known indicator is litmus.

If the indicator is a weak acid, the acid and its conjugate base are different colors. If
the indicator is a weak base, the base and its conjugate acid display different colors.For
a weak acid indicator with the genera formula HIn, equilibrium is reached in the
solution according to the chemical equation:

HIn(aq) + H2O(l) ↔ In-(aq) + H3O+(aq) (1)

HIn(aq) is the acid, which is a different color from the base In-(aq). When the pH is
low, the concentration of the hydronium ion, H3O+ is high and equilibrium is shift to
the left, producing the color A. At high pH, the concentration of H3O+ is low, so
equilibrium tends shift to the right side of the equation and color B is displayed.

The equilibrium constant for the reaction may be determined using the equation:

KIn = [H3O+][In-] / [HIn] (2)

where KIn is the indicator dissociation constant. The color change occurs at the point
where the concentration of the acid and anion base are equal:

[HIn] = [In-] (3)

which is the point where half of the indicator is in acid form and the other half is its
conjugate base.
The table below shows that the five indicators that will be used in this experiment. It
shows the colour transitions and the respective value of pKai.

Indicator Acid Color Base Color pH Range pKIn

thymol blue (first change) red yellow 1.2 - 2.8 1.5
methyl orange red yellow 3.2 - 4.4 3.7
bromocresol green yellow blue 3.8 - 5.4 4.7
methyl red yellow red 4.8 - 6.0 5.1
bromothymol blue yellow blue 6.0 - 7.6 7.0
phenol red yellow red 6.8- 8.4 7.9
thymol blue (second change) yellow blue 8.0 - 9.6 8.9
phenolphthalein colorless magenta 8.2 -10.0 9.4

Objectives

1) To measure the pH of various solutions using pH indicators and meter.

2) To determine the value of Ka for an unknown acid.

Chemicals and Apparatus

0.10 M Hydrochloric acid (HCL)

0.10 M Sodium hydrogen phosphate (NaH2P04)

0.10 M Acetic acid (CH3COOH)

0.10 M Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4)

0.10 M Sodium chloride (NaCl)

0.10 M Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)

0.10 M Sodium acetate (NaCH3COO)

0.10 M Sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO4) 0.20 M Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

Methyl violet

Thymol blue
Methyl yellow

Congo red

Bromocresol green

Phenolphthalein

pH meter

Burette

Test tubes

Beakers

250 mL conical flask

Methods

Part A. Determination of pH using Acid-Base Indicators

1) Five small test tubes were rinsed using distilled water. 1 mL 0.10 M HCL (aq) was
added to each of these test tubes. Each five indicators listed in Table 4.1 were added
to each of these test tubes. The test tubes were labeled as "1, 2, 3, 4 and 5".

2) The pH of the 0.10 M HCL was determined by comparing the colors observed in
each tubes. The colors observation and determination of the pH range of the 0.10, M
HC were recorded on data sheet.

3) The procedure above were repeated by using each of the following solutions:

0.10 M Sodium hydrogen phosphate, NaH2P04 (aq)

0.10 M Acetic acid, CH3COOH (aq)

0.10 M Zinc sulfate, ZnSO4 (aq)

4) The results were recorded.

Part B. Using pH Meters

1) Four small 150 mL beakers were rinsed several times using distilled water.

2)30 mL of the following solutions were added into each of four clean beakers.

0.10 M Sodium chloride, NaCl (aq)

0.10 M Sodium Carbonate, Na2CO3 (aq)

0.10 M Sodium Acetate, NaCH3COO (aq)

0.10 M Sodium hydrogen sulfate, NaHSO4 (aq)

3) pH meter was used to determine the pH of each of these four solutions. The
results were added on data sheet. Two drops bromocresol green indicator was added
to each of these solutions. The color of the indicator in each solution was recorded
on data sheet.

Part C. Using pH to determine the Value of Ka for Acetic Acid , CH3COOH (aq)

1) Two small 150 mL beakers were rinsed several times using distilled water. 30 mL
of 0.10 M Acetic acid solution was put into the first beaker and 30 mL of 0.010 M
Acetic acid solution was put into the second beaker.

2) pH meter was used to determine the pH of each solution. The results were
recorded. The values were used to calculate Ka.

Part D. Determining the Value of Ka for an Unknown Acid by Titration.

1) Burette, small funnel and four 150 mL beakers were rinsed several times using
distilled water.

2) One of the 150 mL beakers was selected and labeled as "NaOH". The beaker was
rinsed one more time with 5 mL of 0.20 M NaOH. The beaker used to collect 75 mL
of the 0.20 M NaOH solution.

3) Burette and funnel were rinsed once with 5 mL of 0.20 M NaOH.

4) The burette was filled with the 0.20 M NaOH solution from the beaker.

5) Weighing scale used to measure mass of beaker before and after added the solid
acid. The mass of solid acid was determined by subtracting mass beaker after added
solid acid with mass of beaker before added solid acid. The mass of solid acid was
recorded on data sheet. The beaker was labeled “A-“.

6) 100 mL of distilled water was measured out. The distilled water was combined
with the unknown solid acid sample in 150 mL beaker. The solution was stirred to
completely dissolve the solid acid.

7)50 ml of unknown acid was measured out and transferred to a second 150 mL
beaker. The second beaker was labeled as "HA" and put it aside.
 8) The remaining of 50 mL of unknown acid was transferred from beaker labeled "A-
" into 250 mL conical flask. 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator were added.

9) The solution "A-" was titrated until pink color of phenolphthalein observed. The
solution was left for 2 minutes and the pink color of phenolphthalein indicator was
permanent. The endpoint of the titration was reached.

10) A volume of distilled water equal to the total amount of the 0.20 M NaOH added
during titration with "A-" was measured and added to the contents of the beaker
labeled "HA". The solution was swirled gently.

11) 25 mL of the solution from the beaker labeled "HA" was measured out and
transferred to fourth clean rinsed 150 mL beaker. The beaker was labeled "50-50
buffer mixture".

12) 25 mL of the solution from "A-" was measured and combined with the solution in
beaker labeled "50-50 buffer mixture". The combined solution was swirled gently. pH
meter was used to measure the pH of the solution and the value recorded on data
sheet.

Results

For Part A,

Table 1: pH range by colours of different solutions using different indicators.

Indicator used 0.10 M HCl 0.10 M 0.10 M 0.10 M ZnSO4

NaOH2PO4 CH3COOH
Methyl violet Light blue Purple Purple Purple
Thymol blue Light red Light yellow Light orange Light orange
Methyl yellow Red Yellow Orange Orange
Congo red Dark blue Dark brown Dark purple Light red
Bromocresol Yellow Dark green Light yellow Dark blue
green
pH range 1-4 4-5 2-3 3-7

For Part B,

Table 2: pH values and colour in indicator for different solutions.

 0.10 M NaCl 0.10 M Na2CO3 0.10 M 0.10 M NaHSO4
CH3COONa

Measured pH 6.03 11.32 7.15 1.53

Colour in Blue Blue Blue Yellow
indicator
Part C,

Table 3: Measured pH, equilibrium concentration of H3O+, CH3COO-, CH3COOH,

calculated and theoritical Ka and percent error for both solutions.

Concentration 0.1 M CH3COOH Concentration 0.010 M CH3COOH

Measured pH 2.53 Measured pH 2.95

[H3O+]equil pH = -log [H3O+] [H3O+]equil pH = -log [H3O+]

2.53 = -log[H3O+] 2.95 = -log[H3O+]

[H3O+] = 2.95 x 10^-3 [H3O+] = 1.12 x 10^-3

[CH3COO-]equil 0+x [CH3COO-]equil 0+x

0 + 2.95 x 10^-3 0 + 1.12 x 10^-3

= 2.95 x 10^-3 = 1.12 x 10^-3

[CH3COOH]equil 0.1 – x [CH3COOH]equil 0.01 – x

0.1 - 2.95 x 10^-3 0.01 - 1.12 x 10^-3

= 0.09705 = 8.88 x 10^-3

Ka (calculated) Ka= Ka (calculated) Ka=

[H3O+][CH3COO-]/[CH3COOH] [H3O+][CH3COO-]/[CH3COOH]

= [2.95 x 10-³]²/[ 0.0970] = [1.12 x 10^-3]2/[8.88 x 10^-3]

= 8.97 x 10^-5 = 1.41 x 10^-4

Ka (textbook) 1.76 x 10^-5 Ka (textbook) 1.9 x 10^-5

Percentage [1.76 x 10^-5 - 8.97 x 10^-5]/ Percentage [1.9 x 10^-5 - 1.41 x 10^-4]/
error [1.76 x 10^-5] x 100% error
[1.9 x 10^-5] x 100%
= 409%
= 642%

For Part D,

The value for Ka for an unknown acid determined by titration,

Mass of unknown acid used (g) 1.5

pH of 50-50 buffer solution 3.78
Ka for unknown weak acid 1.66 x 10-4

𝑝𝐻 = − log 𝐾𝑝𝑎

3.78 = − log 𝐾𝑝𝑎

𝐾𝑝𝑎 = 10−3.78

= 1.66 × 10−4

Discussion

For this experiment, there were two objectives which were to measure the pH
of various solutions using pH indicators and meter and to determine the value of Ka
for an unknown acid. The experiment was divided into four parts. For part A, to find
the pH range by colors of different solutions using different indicators, part B was
recording the measured pH and the color of bromcresol green indicator observed for
each solution, part C was using pH to determine the value of Ka for acetic acid,
CH3COOH(aq) and part D, determine the value of Ka for an unknown acid by titration.

For part A, determine the pH using the acid-base indicator. The indicators used
were methyl violet, thymol blue, methyl yellow,congo red and bromocresol green. The
results show that the colors and the pH range of the solutions and were determined
by the concentration of the solution. Overall, the experiment was successfully
conducted.

Part B was recorded the pH of the solutions using the pH meters. A pH

meter provides a value as to how acidic or alkaline a liquid is. The basic principle of
the pH meter is to measure the concentration of hydrogen ions. Acids dissolve in water
forming positively charged hydrogen ions (H+). The greater this concentration of
hydrogen ions, the stronger the acid is.(Shreya Aluya, Oct 18). Based on the result in
table 2, the pH values were recorded. However, the results recorded had some error
because of the temperature in the lab. The colors were recorded using the color in the
indicator.

For the third experiment which is to determine the value of Ka for acetic acid,
CH3COOH by using pH meter with different concentrations, 0.1M and 0.01M. The first
beaker contained acetic acid with 0.1M meanwhile for the second beaker contained
0.01M of acetic acid. It is known, that acetic acid, CH3COOH is a weak acid but, since
the concentration is high, therefore the value of pH risen and showed the
characteristics of a strong acid. Since the concentration is lower than the first beaker,
therefore the value of pH increased. Once the values of pH obtained for both solutions,
Ka can be acquired by calculating the concentrations for [H3O+], [CH3COO-] and
[CH3COOH]. The Ka value that had been calculated for the first beaker which
contained 0.1M CH3COOH was 8.97 x 10^-5. Meanwhile, the theoretical value for
acetic acid Ka was 1.76 x 10-5. Therefore, the percentage error for the solution was
409% where it is not accurate because of several factors such as inaccurate reading
measurement for pH value.
 Mass of unknown acid used was determined by subtracting mass beaker after
added solid acid with mass of beaker before added solid acid. pH meter was used to
measure the pH of 50-50 buffer solution.The formula for pH is pH = -log𝐾𝑎 . Since
the 𝐾𝑎 = [𝐻3 𝑂+], so the formula for pH is pH = -log[𝐻3 𝑂+ ]. This means pH is the
negative base 10 logarithm ("log" on a calculator) of the hydrogen ion concentration
of a solution ( Helmenstine A. M., 2019 ). Then the formula derived and rearranged to
become 𝐾𝑝𝑎 = 10−𝑝𝐻 . The complete calculation to determine the value of 𝐾𝑎 for an
unknown weak acid by titration has been shown in the results section which was 1.66
× 10-4.

Questions

Part A

1. Between 0.10 M HCL and 0.10 M CH3COOH, HCL has a lower pH than CH3COOH
because HCL because in water, it completely ionizes or dissociates to give H+ and Cl-
ions where as in water while acetic acid doesn't completely ionize.

2. a)Based on our results, the pH range for 0.10 M ZnSO4 is between 3-7 which is
more to acidic and but still reached 7 (neutral range).

b) Ion Zn2+ caused the observed acididty

c) Zn (s) + 2H+ (aq) H2 (g) + Zn2+ (aq)

Part B

1. By comparing the measured pH and the colou in indicators of 0.10 M NaCl, the
results did not came out as expected since the colour for 6.03 measured pH should be
yellow or green but the indicator showed blue colour that indicates a basic solution
but 6.03 is still in acidic range.

2. a) 0.10 M Na2CO3 is a basic solution.

b) Ion OH- caused the observed basicity.
c) CO32-(aq) + H2O (l) HCO3- (aq) + OH- (aq)

3. a) 0.10 M NaHSO4 is an acidic solution.

b) Ion HSO42- caused the observed acidity.

 c) HSO42- (aq) + H2O (l) SO42- (aq) + H3O+(aq)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the objective of this study was achieved. Based on the

experiment, various tasks and methods had been carried out to measure the pH of
various solution using acid-base indicators and pH meter, also, to determine the value
of Ka for an unknown acid. pH meter will be used in order to determine the solution
whether it is acidic or alkaline solution. For acidic solution, pH meter will show a value
between pH 1 to pH 6 while alkaline solution, pH meter will show a value between pH
8 to pH 14. Besides, basic solution can be determined if the pH meter appeared with
value more than pH 7 as pH 7 indicates neutral pH of a solution. Acid-base indicators
consist of methyl violet, thymol blue, methyl yellow, congo red and bromocresol green
were being used in this experiment to specify a pH (acidity) of the respective solutions
which includes, Hydrochloric Acid, HCl, Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate solution,
NaH2PO4, Acetic Acid, CH3COOH and Zinc Sulphate solution, ZnSO4. For strong acid
and base, the solutions will dissociates completely in water while weak acid and base
will dissociate slightly and form ions when dissolved in water. Lastly, an unknown acid
used in this experiment with the pH of 3.78. The value of its Ka obtained is 1.66 x 10-
4.

Reference

Helmenstine A. M. (2019). Here's How to Calculate pH Values. Retrieved from

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-calculate-ph-quick-review-606089

Shreya A. (2018). Theory of pH. Retrieved from meter

.https://www.slideshare.net/ShreyaAhuja2/ph-meter-54084084