ABSTRACT

Acetic acid, CH3COOH is an organic compound that is in form of colourless

solution and classified as a weak acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar
apart from water. The experiment is divided into two parts which are Part A and Part B.
Part A is the part to standardize the sodium hydroxide, NaOH, solution. In Part A, 250
mL of distilled water is used to dilute approximately 0.6 M NaOH solution. 30 mL of
distilled water is added into the beaker that is contained 1.5 g of potassium hydrogen
phthalate, KHP, granules in order to form KHP solution. NaOH solution that is already
prepared in Part A is used in Part B. The experiment is proceeded to the second part
(Part B) of this experiment which standardized NaOH solution is titrated with 10 mL of
vinegar that has been diluted with 75 to 100 mL of distilled water. For both experiments,
by using pH electrode, when the values of pH becomes constant, it means that it is the
end point of neutralization between NaOH solution and KHP solution for Part A and for
Part B is the neutralization between NaOH solution and vinegar solution. Next, for both
experiments also, for Part A and Part B are repeated twice to get more accurate results.
Based on results, it can be conclude that the greater the mass of solute in the acid
solution, the more concentrated the solution becomes thus, the higher the molarity and
more volume of NaOH needed to neutralize the acid. The experiment is completed and
successfully conducted.

AIMS / OBJECTIVES
(a) Determine the molarity of a solution and the percent by mass of acetic acid in
vinegar by titration with the standardized sodium hydroxide solution.
THEORY
In the titration process, a burette is used to dispense a small, quantifiable increment of
solution of known concentration. A typical burette has the smallest calibration unit of
0.1mL, therefore, volume dispense from the burette should be estimated to the nearest
0.01mL.
In this experiment, the equivalence point occurs when the moles of acid in the solution
equals to the moles of base added in the titration. For example, the stoichiometric
amount of 1 mole of the strong base, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), is necessary to
neutralize 1 mole of the weak acid, acetic
acid (CH3CO2H), as indicated in equation 3.
NaOH (aq) + CH3CO2H(aq)

NaCH3CO2 (aq) + H2O (l) (Equation 1-3)

The sudden change in the pH of the solution shows that the titration has reached the
equivalence point. pH in an aqueous solution is related to its hydrogen ion
concentration. Symbolically, the hydrogen ion concentration is written as [H3O+]. pH is
defined as the negative of the logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration.
pH = - log [H30+] (Equation 1-4)
pH scale is a method of expressing the acidity or basicity of a solution. Solutions having
a pH < 7 are acidic, pH = 7 are neutral, pH > 7 are basic. For example, a solution having
[H30+]= 0.0235 M would have a pH of 1.629 and is acidic. pH electrode will be used in
this experiment. The titration is initiated by inserting a pH electrode into a beaker
containing the acid solution (pH within 3-5). As sodium hydroxide, NaOH, is
incrementally added to the acid solution, some of the hydrogen ions will be neutralized.
As the hydrogen ion concentration decreases, the pH of the solution will gradually
increase. When sufficient NaOH is added to completely neutralize the acid (most of the
H3O+ ions are removed from the solution), the next drop of NaOH added will cause a
sudden sharp increase in pH. The volume of based required to completely neutralized
the acid is determine at the equivalence point of titration.
In this experiment, titration of vinegar sample with a standardized sodium hydroxide
solution will be done. To standardize the sodium hydroxide solution, of a primary
standard acid solution is initially prepared. In general, primary standard solutions are
produce by dissolving a weighed
quantity of pure acid or base in a known volume of solution. Primary standard acid or
bases have several common characteristics:
they must be available in at least 99.9 purity

they must have a high molar mass to minimize error in weighing

they must be stable upon heating
they must be soluble in the solvent of interest

Potassium hydrogen phthalate KHC8H4O4, and oxalic acid, (COOH)2, are common
primary standard acid. Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, is the most commonly used based.
Most acids and bases (e.g. HCl, CH3COOH, NaOH and KOH) are most available as
primary standard. To standardize one of these acid or based solutions, titration of the
solution with a primary standard should be done. In this experiment, NaOH solution will
be titrated with potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP). The equation for this reaction will
be:
KHC8H4O4 (aq) + NaOH (aq)

KNaC8H4O4 (aq) + H2O (l) (Equation 1-5)

Once the sodium hydroxide solution has been standardizes, it will be used to titrate
10.00mL aliquots of vinegar. The equation for the reaction of vinegar with NaOH is
CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq)

NaCH3COO (aq) + H2O(l) (Equation 1-6)

Knowing the standardized NaOH concentration and using equation 6, we can determine
the molarity and percent by mass of acetic acid in the vinegar solution.

APPARATUS
Apparatus that we used in this experiment are:

beaker 250 mL
volumetric flask 250 mL
dropper
volumetric pippete
stirrer
retort stand and clamp
analytical balance
burette

The chemical reagents that we used in this experiment are:

6 g of NaOH solid
1.5 g of KHP granules
distilled water
10.00 mL of vinegar

NaOH solution

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
A. Standardization of sodium hydroxide solution
1. 250 mL of approximately 0.6M sodium hydroxide solution from NaOH solid was
prepared. The solution could be prepared in a beaker, and the calculation was checked
with the laboratory instructor prior to preparing the solution. The calculation was
recorded.
2. 250 mL beaker was weighted and the mass was recorded to the nearest 0.001g. 1.5
grams of KHP was added to the beaker. The mass of the beaker and KHP were
recorded to the nearest 0.001 g. The mass of KHP by difference was calculated and the
data was recorded. 30 mL of distilled water was added to the beaker. The solution was
stirred until the KHP has dissolved completely.
3. This solution was titrated with NaOH and the pH with 1 mL additions of NaOH
solution was recorded.
4. Steps 1 to 3 were repeated to perform a second and third trial to standardize the
NaOH solution.
5. The graph of pH versus NaOH was plotted. From the plots, the volume of NaOH
solution required to neutralizing the KHP solution in each titration was determined.
6. The molarity of sodium hydroxide for titration 1 and 2 were calculated.
7. The average molarity of sodium hydroxide solution for titration 1 and 2 were
calculated. The resulting sodium hydroxide concentration will be used in part B of the
experiment.
B. Molarity of acetic acid and percent of vinegar
1. 10.00 mL of vinegar was transferred to a clean, dry 250 mL beaker using a 10 mL
volumetric pipette. Sufficient water, 75 to 100 mL was added to cover the pH electrode
tip during the titration.
2. 1 mL of NaOH was added to vinegar solution and the pH was recorded.
3. The above steps were repeated twice more.
4. The molarity of acetic acid in vinegar for titration 1 and 2 were calculated.
5. The average molarity of acetic acid in vinegar for each titration were calculated.

6. The percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar for titration 1 and 2 were calculated.
7. The percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar was calculated.

RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

A. Standardization of sodium hydroxide solution
Molarity, M = moles of solute
litre of solution
0.6 M = moles of NaOH
0.25 L
Moles of NaOH = 0.15 mol
Mass of NaOH = number of moles x molar mass
= 0.15 mol x 40 g/mol
=6g

Mass of beaker (g)

Mass of beaker + KHP (g)
Mass of KHP (g)
Volume of NaOH to
neutralize the KHP solution
(mL)
KHC8H4O4 (aq) + NaOH (aq)

Titration 1
96.864
98.364
1.500
14.000

Titration 2
96.862
98.365
1.503
14.000

KNaC8H4O4 (aq) + H2O (l)

Titration 1
The moles of KHP used in titration
1.500 g KHC8H4O4 x 1 mol KHC8H4O4 = 0.007346 mol KHC8H4O4
204.2 g KHC8H4O4
From the equation above,
1 mol NaOH = 1 mol KHP
0.007346 mol KHP x 1 mol NaOH = 0.007346 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP

Molarity of NaOH solution

14 mL NaOH x
1L
= 0.014 L NaOH
1000 mL
M = mol NaOH = 0.007346 mol NaOH = 0.5247 M NaOH
L solution
0.014 L solution

Titration 2
KHC8H4O4 (aq) + NaOH (aq)

KNaC8H4O4 (aq) + H2O (l)

The moles of KHP used in the titration

1.503 g KHC8H4O4 x 1 mol KHC8H4O4 = 0.007360 mol KHC8H4O4
204.2 g KHC8H4O4
From the equation above,
1 mol NaOH = 1 mol KHP
0.007360 mol KHP x 1 mol NaOH = 0.007360 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP
Molarity of NaOH solution
14 mL NaOH x
1L
= 0.014 L NaOH
1000 mL
M = mol NaOH = 0.007360 mol NaOH = 0.5257 M NaOH
L solution
0.014 L solution
Average molarity for titration 1 and 2
Average molarity titration 1 = Molarity titration 1
Molarity titration 1 + Molarity titration 2
= 0.5247 M
0.5247 M + 0.5257 M
= 0.4995
Average molarity titration 2 = Molarity titration 2
Molarity titration 1 + Molarity titration 2
= 0.5257 M
0.5247 M + 0.5257 M
= 0.5005

B. Molarity of acetic acid and percent of vinegar

NaOH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq)

NaCH3CO2(aq) + H2O(l)

Titration 1

Moles NaOH reacted

39 mL NaOH x

1L
= 0.039 L NaOH
1000 mL
0.039 L NaOH x 0.6 mol NaOH = 0.0234 mol NaOH
1 L solution
Moles of CH3COOH neutralized by the moles of NaOH
From the equation above,
1 mol NaOH = 1mol CH3COOH
0.0234 mol NaOH x 1 mol CH3COOH = 0.0234 mol CH3COOH
1 mol NaOH
Molarity of CH3COOH solution
10 mL CH3COOH x
1L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
M = mol CH3COOH
= 0.0234 mol CH3COOH = 2.34 M CH3COOH
L of solution
0.010 L solution
Mass acetic acid in the solution
10 mL CH3COOH x
1L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
0.010 L CH3COOH x 2.34 mol CH3COOH x 60.06g CH3COOH
1 L solution
1 mol CH3COOH
= 1.4054 g CH3COOH
Mass acetic acid solution
10 mL CH3COOH solution x 1 g CH3COOH
1 mL CH3COOH solution
= 10.00 g CH3COOH solution

Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution

Percent mass CH3COOH =
g CH3COOH
g CH3COOH solution
=
1.4054 g CH3COOH
10 g CH3COOH solution
= 14.054 % CH3COOH

x 100 %

Titration 2
NaOH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq)

NaCH3CO2(aq) + H2O(l)

Moles NaOH reacted

37 mL NaOH x
1L
= 0.037 L NaOH
1000 mL
0.037 L NaOH x 0.6 mol NaOH = 0.0222 mol NaOH
1 L solution
Moles of CH3COOH neutralized by the moles of NaOH
From the equation above,
1 mol NaOH = 1mol CH3COOH
0.0222 mol NaOH x 1 mol CH3COOH = 0.0222 mol CH3COOH
1 mol NaOH
Molarity of CH3COOH solution
10 mL CH3COOH x 1 L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
M = mol CH3COOH = 0.0222 mol CH3COOH = 2.22 M CH3COOH
L of solution
0.010 L solution
Mass acetic acid in the solution
10 mL CH3COOH x
1L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
0.010 L CH3COOH X 2.22 mol CH3COOH x 60.06 g CH3COOH
1 L solution
1 mol CH3COOH
= 1.3333 g CH3COOH
Mass acetic acid solution
10 mL CH3COOH solution x

1 g CH3COOH
1 mL CH3COOH solution

= 10 g CH3COOH solution
Percent by mass of acetic acid in solution
Percent mass CH3COOH =
g CH3COOH
g CH3COOH solution
=
1.3333 g CH3COOH
10 g CH3COOH solution
= 13.333 % CH3COOH

x 100 %

Graph of pH versus NaOH

pH

14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

titration 1
titration 2

Volume of NaOH added in (mL)

FIGURE 1 (PART A)

Graph of pH versus NaOH

14
13
12
11
10
9
8
pH

titration 1

titration 2

6
5
4
3
2
1
0

Volume of NaOH added in (mL)

FIGURE 2 (PART B)

SAMPLE CALCULATION
For Part A :
Titration 1
1. From the graph in Figure 1 (Part A), the volume of NaOH solution at equivalence
point is determined as 14.00 mL.
2. The number of moles of potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHP used is calculated.
1.500 g KHC8H4O4 x 1 mol KHC8H4O4 = 0.007346 mol KHC8H4O4
204.2 g KHC8H4O4
3. The number of moles of NaOH needed to reach the equivalence point is calculated.
0.007346 mol KHP x 1 mol NaOH = 0.007346 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP
4. The concentration, M, of NaOH is calculated.
0.007346 mol NaOH = 0.5247 M NaOH
0.014 L solution

Titration 2
1. From the graph in Figure 1 (Part A), the volume of NaOH solution at equivalence
point is determined as 14.00 mL.
2. The number of moles of potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHP used is calculated.
1.503 g KHC8H4O4 x 1 mol KHC8H4O4 = 0.007360 mol KHC8H4O4
204.2 g KHC8H4O4
3. The number of moles of NaOH needed to reach the equivalence point is calculated.
0.007360 mol KHP x 1 mol NaOH = 0.007360 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP
4. The concentration, M, of NaOH is calculated.
0.007360 mol NaOH = 0.5257 M NaOH
0.014 L solution

SAMPLE ERROR CALCULATION

For Part A :
Titration 1
1. From the graph, the volume of NaOH solution at equivalence point is determined as
14.0 mL (only 3 significant figures).
2. The number of moles of potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHP used is calculated.
1.5 g KHC8H4O4 x 1 mol KHC8H4O4 = 0.007 mol KHC8H4O4
204.2 g KHC8H4O4
* The value is taken at only 1 significant figure.
3. The number of moles of NaOH needed to reach the equivalence point is calculated.
0.007 mol KHP x 1 mol NaOH
= 0.007 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP
4. The concentration, M, NaOH is calculated.
0.007 mol NaOH = 0.5 M NaOH
0.014 L solution
5. The percentage error is calculated.
0.5247 M 0.5 M x 100 % = 4.71 %
0.5247 M

Titration 2
1. From the graph, the volume of NaOH solution at equivalence point is determined as
14.0 mL (only 3 significant figures).
2. The number of moles of potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHP used is calculated.
1.503 g KHC8H4O4 x 1 mol KHC8H4O4 = 0.007 mol KHC8H4O4
204.2 g KHC8H4O4
* The value is taken at only 1 significant figure.
3. The number of moles of NaOH needed to reach the equivalence point is calculated.
0.007 mol KHP x 1 mol NaOH
= 0.007 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP
4. The concentration, M, NaOH is calculated.
0.007 mol NaOH = 0.5 M NaOH
0.014 L solution
5. The percentage error is calculated.
0.5257 M 0.5 M x 100 % = 4.89 %
0.5257 M

SAMPLE CALCULATION
For Part B :
Titration 1
1. From the graph in Figure 2 (Part B), the volume of NaOH solution at equivalence
point is determined as 39.00 mL.
2. The balanced equation for neutralization reaction is as below :
NaOH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq)

NaCH3CO2(aq) + H2O(l)

The number of moles of NaOH solution is calculated.

39.00 mL NaOH x

1L
= 0.039 L NaOH
1000 mL
0.039 L NaOH x 0.6 mol NaOH = 0.0234 mol NaOH
1 L solution
3. The number of moles of acetic acid in vinegar solution is calculated.
0.0234 mol NaOH x 1 mol CH3COOH = 0.0234 mol CH3COOH
1 mol NaOH
4. The molarity of acetic acid in vinegar solution is calculated.
10 mL CH3COOH x
1L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
M = mol CH3COOH
= 0.0234 mol CH3COOH = 2.34 M CH3COOH
L of solution
0.010 L solution
5. The mass of acetic acid in the solution is calculated.
10 mL CH3COOH x

1L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
0.010 L CH3COOH x 2.34 mol CH3COOH x 60.06g CH3COOH
1 L solution
1 mol CH3COOH
= 1.4054 g CH3COOH
6. Mass acetic acid solution
10 mL CH3COOH solution x 1 g CH3COOH
1 mL CH3COOH solution
= 10.00 g CH3COOH solution

7. Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution

Percent mass CH3COOH =
g CH3COOH
g CH3COOH solution
=
1.4054 g CH3COOH
10 g CH3COOH solution
= 14.054 % CH3COOH

x 100 %

Titration 2
1. From the graph in Figure 2 (Part B), the volume of NaOH solution at equivalence
point is determined as 38.00 mL.
2. The balanced equation for neutralization reaction is as below :
NaOH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq)

NaCH3CO2(aq) + H2O(l)

The number of moles of NaOH solution is calculated.

37.00 mL NaOH x

1L
= 0.037 L NaOH
1000 mL
0.037 L NaOH x 0.6 mol NaOH = 0.0222 mol NaOH
1 L solution
3. The number of moles of acetic acid in vinegar solution is calculated.
0.0222 mol NaOH x 1 mol CH3COOH = 0.0222 mol CH3COOH
1 mol NaOH
4. The molarity of acetic acid in vinegar solution is calculated.
10 mL CH3COOH x
1L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
M = mol CH3COOH
= 0.0222 mol CH3COOH = 2.22 M CH3COOH
L of solution
0.010 L solution
5. The mass of acetic acid in the solution is calculated.
10 mL CH3COOH x

1L
= 0.010 L CH3COOH solution
1000 mL
0.010 L CH3COOH x 2.22 mol CH3COOH x 60.06g CH3COOH
1 L solution
1 mol CH3COOH
= 1.3333 g CH3COOH
6. Mass acetic acid solution
10 mL CH3COOH solution x
1 g CH3COOH
1 mL CH3COOH solution
= 10 g CH3COOH solution

7. Percent by mass of acetic acid in solution

Percent mass CH3COOH =
g CH3COOH
g CH3COOH solution
=
1.3333 g CH3COOH
10 g CH3COOH solution
= 13.333 % CH3COOH

x 100 %

SAMPLE ERROR CALCULATION

For Part B :
Titration 1
1. The theoretical value of percentage by mass of acetic acid in vinegar is between 4
percents until 8 percents. In comparison of the theoretical value with the calculated
value, let the theoretical value be the mean value that is 6 percents.
2. The percentage of error for the calculated value is calculated.

|6.00014.054|

x 100% = 134.233%

6.000
Titration 2
1. The theoretical value of percentage by mass of acetic acid in vinegar is between 4
percents until 8 percents. In comparison of the theoretical value with the calculated
value, let the theoretical value be the mean value that is 6 percents.
2. The percentage of error for the calculated value is calculated.

|6.00013.333|
6.000

x 100% = 122.217%

DISCUSSION
The objective of the experiment is to determine the molarity of a solution and the
percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar by titration with the standardized sodium
hydroxide solution. However, in Part A and Part B, there are some errors. For Part A,
titration 1, there is error of 4.71% and 4.89% for titration 2. For Part B, titration 1, there
is error of 134.233% and 122.217% for titration 2. This perhaps due to a few mistakes
or lack of awareness of precautions while doing this experiment.
First of all, the KHP may not be weighed as 1.5 g accurately to 4 significant
figures. Next, diluted KHP solution may have impurities. So, it will interrupt the titration
process as well as the pH values due to the presence of impurities.
pH meter is more accurate than using an indicator like phenolphthalein. In this
experiment, pH meter is used because pH meter can be measured until one tenth of pH
unit but indicator only one pH unit. Even though, pH meter is more accurate, there is still
error in this experiment. The correct ways to use the pH meter before measure any pH
are :
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

The electrode must be removed from the distilled water and placed it in pH 4
buffer solution.
The pH meter is set to pH 4 and the electrode is rinsed with distilled water to
remove any excess solution.
The electrode is then placed in pH 10 buffer solution.
The pH meter is set to pH 10 and the electrode is rinsed, and placed in distilled
water.
The pH meter should now be calibrated and is ready to be used to measure any
pH accurately.

Therefore, the ways of using pH meter may not be done before it is used to
measure any pH value of titrated solutions. In addition, the pH electrode may have
contact with magnetic stirrer inside the beaker.
Besides that, the whole experiments are conducted only twice. At least 3 trials
should be done to get more accurate results in average value of the molarity of a
solution and the percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar by titration with the
standardized sodium hydroxide solution.

CONCLUSION
For Part A, the experimental value of molarity of a solution is 0.5247M for titration
1 and 0.5257M for titration 2. There are errors of 4.71% for titration 1 and 4.89% for
titration 2. For Part B, the experimental value of the percent by mass of acetic acid in
vinegar solution are 14.054% for titration 1 and 13.333% for titration 2. There are errors
of 134.233% for titration 1 and 122.217% for titration 2. The theoretical value of error is
6.000%. So, there is huge different between experimental and theoretical error values.
This perhaps because of a few mistakes is done while conducting the experiment.
RECOMMENDATIONS
There are a few recommendations and precaution that have to be considered
while conducting the experiment in order to get an accurate result.
Firstly, the standard solution is used should be at least 99.9% purity. Thus, dried
standard material is more preferable to use before it is weighed and diluted.
Secondly, the standard solution should have high molar mass to minimize error in
weighing. Potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHP or KHC8H4O4 solution is used because
KHP solution has high molar mass which is 204.2 g/mol. The relative error in weighing a
greater amount of substance is smaller than for a small amount.
Thirdly, while doing titration, make sure your eyes is perpendicular to the scale of
burette to avoid parallax error. Fourth, in order to reduce the error, make sure the
apparatus is rinsed with distilled water before using it. It is because to prevent impurities
like dust mixed with the solution. It will interrupt the pH values at the end of the
experiment.
Fifth, when you want to pour NaOH solution from the beaker to the volumetric
flask, make sure you rinsed the beaker with distilled water. It is because perhaps there
is still NaOH solution residue at the side of the beaker. Sixth, make sure the solution is
completely dissolved in order to get complete reaction between acid and bases.
Last but not least, make sure the whole experiment is repeated at least twice to
get an accurate and average result for the experiment.

REFERENCES

https://www.scribd.com/doc/86725525/Determination-of-the-Concentration-ofAcetic-Acid-in-Vinegar retrieve 7/10/2014

https://www.scribd.com/doc/39166248/Titration-of-NaOH-With-Acetic-Acids
retrieve 9/10/2014
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH_meter retrieve 9/10/2014
http://www.ph-meter.info/ retrieve 9/10/2014