RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The objective of this experiment is to measure pKa value of the methyl red through its
absorbance spectra as a function of pH. The absorption spectrum of methyl red is determined in
hydrochloric acid solution as solvent to obtain the spectrum of HMR and in sodium acetate
solution as solvent to obtain the spectrum MR-.

Solution
Acidic

350n
m
0.007

0.030

0.195

0.037

0.142

0.054

0.155

0.065

0.164

Bases

0.152

Table 1 Absorbance of all solutions at various wavelength

Absorbance at wavelength
375n 400n 425n 450n 475n 500n 525n 550n
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
0.01 0.11 0.10 0.22 0.472 0.736 0.829 0.683
7
5
7
1
0.07 0.21 0.20 0.24 0.357 0.508 0.638 0.594
3
0
4
9
0.23 0.33 0.36 0.44 0.587 0.778 0.913 0.879
7
4
3
2
0.10 0.23 0.23 0.26 0.327 0.423 0.500 0.466
0
9
8
6
0.18 0.29 0.29 0.32 0.354 0.406 0.463 0.430
6
4
9
1
0.14 0.29 0.29 0.30 0.299 0.300 0.325 0.295
9
0
0
0
0.22 0.33 0.34 0.34 0.323 0.291 0.293 0.266
5
6
0
6
0.18 0.32 0.33 0.32 0.272 0.193 0.165 0.142
4
6
5
6
0.26 0.36 0.37 0.36 0.292 0.179 0.127 0.105
1
4
7
8
0.23 0.34 0.34 0.32 0.240 0.108 0.036 0.020
9
1
9
9

575n
m
0.200

600n
m
0.022

0.254

0.033

0.444

0.086

0.199

0.024

0.198

0.058

0.123

0.018

0.131

0.051

0.056

0.012

0.061

0.045

0.025

0.040

Figure 1.1 Graph absorbance values against wavelength

Based on the result obtained in Table 1, the absorbance of acid, base and solution A-H were
read at various wavelength which are from 350nm up to 600nm. Data in the table shows that the
reading of absorbance increases from 350nm to 425nm. After that, the absorbance started to
decrease at 525nm because at this range the light that penetrates into the solutions is lesser than
low wavelength. For acidic until solution E, the highest absorbance is at 525nm, while solution F
has the highest absorbance at 450nm. Meanwhile, solution G until basic, the highest absorbance
is at 425nm. From the graph obtained, the isosbestic point is at 458nm. Acidid, basic, solutions
A, C until H intersect at this point except for solution B. Isosbestic point can be defined by
during a chemical reaction, a point occurs in the absorption spectrum (wavelength) where at least
two chemical species (for example, reactant and product) have identical molar absorption
coefficients, which remain constant as the reaction proceeds. A stable isosbestic point is evidence
that a reaction is proceeding without forming an intermediate or multiple products (Sanjeev,
2012). Solution B did not intersect at isosbestic point because there were some error that had
occured during experiment. One of the error is the volume of mixed solutions was not accurately
measured.

Solution
Acidic
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Bases

Table 1.2 pH and Absorbance of all solutions

pH
Absorbance at max
0.89
0.834
3.80
0.622
3.97
0.515
4.03
0.500
4.19
0.464
4.37
0.327
4.52
0.348
4.77
0.336
5.07
0.380
11.26
0.040

Figure 1.2 Graph absorbance against pH

Based on the result obtained in Table 1.2 above, the pH for all solutions increases while
absorbance decreases. This is because the volume of sodium acetate is increasing while acetic
acid decreasing. On the other hand, Figure 1.2 shows the relationship between absorbance at
max and pH value for acidic, basic and solutions A to H. The higher the pH the lower absorbance.
This is because the concentration of H+ has decreased.

Solution
Acidic
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Bases

Table 1.3 Concentration of [MR-] and [HMR] for each solution

pH
Absorbance
[MR-]
[HMR]
Log [MR-]
at max
/ [HMR]
0.89
0.834
0.794
0.00
3.80
0.622
0.582
0.212
0.4386
3.97
0.915
0.475
0.319
0.1729
4.03
0.500
0.460
0.334
0.1390
4.19
0.464
0.424
0.370
0.0592
4.37
0.327
0.287
0.507
-0.2471
4.52
0.348
0.308
0.486
-0.1981
4.77
0.336
0.296
0.498
-0.2259
5.07
0.380
0.340
0.454
-0.1256
11.26
0.040
0.00
0.794
-

pKa
3.3614
3.7971
3.8910
4.1308
4.6171
4.7181
4.9959
5.1956
-

Figure 1.3 Graph log [MR-] / [HMR] against pH

Based on the result obtained in Table 1.3, the value of MR - decreases as the pH increases.
While for HMR, the value fluctuates from acidic to basic which was increases and decreases
from 0.00 to 0.794. For log [MR-] / [HMR], the values also shows fluctuation from 0.4386 to
-0.1256 for solution A to H. Acidic and basic did not show any value. For pKa value, the reading
increases from 3.3614 for solution A and increases to 5.1956 for solution H. Based on the graph

obtained, the value of pKa that varies on pH axis is 4.2. The pKa of the indicator corresponds to
the intersection of the line with the pH axis. The pKa values must be same with the pH values
obtained by using theoretical method. The value of pKa can be determined by using the equation:
pKa = pH + log [HMR]/[MR-]
log [HMR]/[MR-]= pKa pH
When log [HMR]/[MR-]= 0
pKa = pH
There are few points why the lines of the graphs deviate from the best fit line. Firstly, the
mixtures had been contaminated during the experiment. Then, the volumes of the mixtures were
incorrect due to parallax error during measuring the mixtures the eyes level of observer was not
at the same level of the meniscus. The solution also may vaporize due to the property of strong
oxidizing agent. Vaporization may cause the volume of the solution being reduced without any
notice. Moreover, different surrounding temperature can affect the solution and the experiment
should be conducted in a closed room with a stable room temperature.
There were few weaknesses in this experiment. Firstly, there were bubbles in the pipette
appeared when the solutions were pipette. Then, the volume will decrease and the concentration
changed thus affecting the pH values. Furthermore, the apparatus used for the experiment were
not well cleaned. There was lot of impurities or known as foreign substances stacked with the
apparatus that has been used. The contamination of the solution caused error to the result.
Parallax error caused different volume when measuring the solution thus, the pH values obtained
will be wrong. Moreover, the cuvette from the spectrophotometer used was not clean properly
and there was fingerprint on it. So, the UV light that went through the silica cell will be affected.
There are few precautions and safety steps that need to be taken when conducting this
experiment. Firstly, students must avoid skin contact with acid and basic solution. Gloves must
be wore when handling the acid. Next,a stopper must be used to prevent the spilling of the
solutions from the volumetric flasks.

CONCLUSION
The objective of this experiment is to measure the pKa value of the methyl red through its
absorbance spectra as a function of pH by using ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer. From the
result and graph obtained, the value of pKa can be calculated by using the formula given : pKa =
pH + log [HMR]/[MR-]. From graph 1.1, the overall lines of absorption can be determined by
marked the intersection point of the similar level of absorption of the each pH values. This point
is called the isosbestic point where the value is 458nm. On the other hand, graph 1.2 shows that
the higher the pH value the lower the absorbance at max. Graph 1.3 shows that log [MR-] /
[HMR] is inversely proportional to pH value. The indicator concentration in the acidic medium
must be equally as the concentration in the basic medium. So, the intersection point of the graph
at x-axis must be taken to get the value of pK a of the methyl red indicator and the pH value of the
solution can be determined by using the formula given above. There are a few recommendations
that need to be followed to ensure the result of the experiment follow theory given. Firsly,
stopper must be used to close and prevent the impurities from entering the volumetric flask.
Next, eye must be perpendicular to the solution to prevent the parallax error. Then, before using
the apparatus,they must be cleaned perfectly by using distilled water to remove impurities.
Lastly, the pH meter must be rinsed by using distilled water to measure the pH value.