COMMON-ION EFFECT AND BUFFER

M. MALATE1 and K. GINO2

1, 2

DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION, COLLEGE OF HOME ECONOMICS

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY 1101, PHILIPPINES
DATE SUBMITTED: 23 FEBRUARY 2016
DATE PERFORMED: 17 FEBRUARY 2016

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS (Cambria 11, all caps, bold)

1. Account for the differences in color of solutions 1 and 2 after adding
methyl orange indicator
After adding methyl orange to solution 1 it turned salmon pink and in solution
2 it turned to yellow
2. Account for the differences in color of solutions 3 and 4 after adding
phenolpthalein indicator
After adding phenolphthalein to solution 3 and 4 it turned dark pink.
3. Which causes a larger change in pH, addition of 3 drops 1.0M HCl (or
three drops of 1.0M NaOH) to solutions 1,2,3 or 4? Explain.
Based from the data obtained, addition of 3 drops of 1.0 M HCl caused a
greater pH change in solution 1 and 3. It showed drastic change in color and a
higher gap in pH reading. This is because the solution 1 and 3 are not buffer
solutions. They do not have the capacity to counteract additional stress.
4. Compare the different methods of determining pH: visual indicators, pH
meter and calculations. Compare the accuracy of the three methods
employed.
Visual indicators include litmus paper and liquid indicators. pH is determined
through looking at the color and comparing it to the standard color with
corresponding pH. This method is less accurate to using pH meter and calculations.
pH meter measures the voltage produced by the solution and uses the difference in
voltage to determine the pH. This somehow identifies the concentration of
hydrogen ions. Its accuracy however depends on if it is properly calibrated. pH
calculation gives the expected pH of the solution based from the concentration of
the solutions.
5. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the
calculated parameters? Rationalize.
The possible errors are could be the solution preparation, not properly
calibrated pH meter and also personal errors like prejudice. If the solutions were not
properly prepared it will lessen or add the concentration of the solutions changing
the pH. If the pH meter is not properly calibrated then the readings would not be
accurate and if the numbers are constantly jumping from one number to another,
personal preference will affect the values you chose for the data.
REFERENCES (CAMBRIA 11, ALL CAPS, BOLD)

[1]Woodford, C. (2015). pH meters. Retrieved from EXPLAINTHATSTUFF:

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-ph-meters-work.html
[2]Petrucci, R., Herring, F., Madura, J., & Bissonnette, C. (2010). General Chemistry.
Juron, Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia PTE.LTD.