AP Chemistry
LAB – Acid Base Titration
Student ___________________
Date ______________________
History
The titration process is used to determine the volume of a solution
needed to react with a given amount of another compound. In this
experiment we are going to titrate Hydrochloric Acid with a solution of
Sodium Hydroxide. The concentration of Sodium Hydroxide will be given
and you have to calculate the concentration of Hydrochloric Acid.
Hydrogen ions from the HCl react with the hydroxide ions from Sodium
Hydroxide to form water and salt in the overall reaction
H   Cl   Na   OH   H 2O  Cl 
When an acidic solution is titrated with a basic solution, the pH
value for the acid will be initially low. As the base is added, the ph value
begins to change gradually until close to the equivalent point, when
equimolar amounts of acid and base have been mixed. Near the
equivalent point the ph value begins to increase rapidly. The change in
pH then becomes gradual again, before leveling off with the addition of
excess base.
In this experiment, we will use the ph meter to determine the pH
values needed for graphing. The equivalence point and molarity of the
acid solution will be determined.
Pre-Lab Questions
The questions are to be answered on another sheet of paper.
Use complete sentences.
1. What is an “indicator”?
2. Write an example as to how titration is used to find the molarity of an
unknown solution.
3. What is the “equivalent point?”
4. Can titration be used for determining the molarity of other solutions?
Explain. Use an example in you explanation.
5. What always happens in an acid-base reaction?
6. What is a “volumetric analysis”?
7. What is a “stoichiometric point”?
Materials needed
Meter for determining pH
0.1 M solution of NaOH
50 ml Buret
Buret assembly
10 ml pipette
250 ml beaker
DI water
Necessary clamps
Safety Issues
For this experiment, wear safety goggles at all times. You will be
working with an acid and base, both of which can be harmful to your skin
and especially your eyes.
Procedure
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Wear safety goggles.
Use a pipette and add 10 ml of he HCI solution to a beaker.
Add 50 ml of DI water to the beaker.
Stir your solution for a time to ensure a complete mixture.
Obtain a 50 ml buret and carefully add the .1 M solution of
NaOH. Drain a small amount of the base solution to fill an
empty portion of the buret.
When you feel this experiment is set up, be sure to let the
teacher examine your setup before you begin titration.
Add 3 drops of Phenothalein Solution to the contents in the
beaker.
Begin titration by adding 1 ml amounts of the base, checking
after addition of the pH of the solution with your meter.
Set up a data sheet and record all data and observations.
Processing Data
1. Be sure you have enough data to plot a true graph of your
results that will adequately complete this experiment. You
should see a well-represented graph that clearly defines the
“equivalence POINT”.
2. Be sure to record any observations that you see that my cause
errors in your data.
3. Be neat in the collection and final write-up for this experiment.
4. Show all calculations in a step-by-step manner.
Data and Calculations
Concentration of NaOH
NaOH Volume added before largest
pH increase
NaOH Volume added after largest
pH increase
NaOH Volume added at Equivalence
Point
Moles of NaOH
Moles of HCl
Concentration of HCl
Post Lab Questions
Answer these questions on another sheet of paper. Be explicit in
your answer.
1. What is this experiment trying to demonstrate to you as a student?
2. Check with other fellow students and compare your experimental
results. Explain your error. Could an error analysis be done on this
experiment? Why or why not?
3. How can titration be of benefit to anyone?
4. Check the Internet. How is titration being used in industry?
5. Write a paragraph that describes a conclusion for this experiment.