EXPERIMENT 4: COMMON ION-EFFECT AND
BUFFERS
K. J. SOLTONES1 and F. J. CERCADO2
INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY 1101, PHILIPPINES
DATE SUBMITTED: 17 FEBRUARY 2016
DATE PERFORMED: 6 FEBRUARY 2016
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1.
Account for the differences in color of
Solutions 1 and 2 after adding methyl
orange indicator.
2.
Account for the differences in color of
Solutions 3 and 4 after adding
phenolphthalein indicator.
The addition of methyl orange indicator
to the solution gives off a yellow color
The pH of a solution can be identified
for alkaline solution (pH>4.5), red for
using phenolphthalein indicator. In an
acidic solutions (pH<3.1) and salmon
alkaline solution (pH>10.0) a red color
pink for pH values between 3.1 and
appears after the addition of
4.5 . In experiment 4, methyl orange
phenolphthalein indicator, colorless for
indicator was dropped to solution 1
an acidic solution (pH<8.3) and
containing 30.0 mL 0.10M CH3COOH
observed to have a very light pink color
and to solution 2 with same amounts of
when the pH of the solution will fall in
15.0 mL of 0.20M CH3COOH and 0.20 M
values between 8.3 and 10.0 [1]. In
NaCH3COO. In the first solution, a
experiment 4, phenolphthalein was
salmon pink color was observed and the
dropped to both solutions 3 and 4.
second solution turned to yellow. This
Solution 3 contained 30.0 mL 010M NH3.
indicates that the first solution is more
Solution 4 had equal amounts (15.0 mL)
acidic than the second solution, hence
and concentration (0.20M) of both NH3
the appearance of colors. When both
and NH4Cl. After the addition of the
were tested using calibrated pH meters,
indicator, a red color was observed in
the value of solution 1 was 3.3 and 4.75
solution 3 and light pink for solution 4.
for the second solution.
This indicates that solution 3 is more
[1]
basic than solution 4. The calibrated pH
3.
4. Compare the different methods of
meter reveals that solution 3 has a pH
determining pH: visual indicators,
value of 10.34 and 8.84 for solution 4.
pH meter, and calculation. Compare
Which causes a larger change in pH,
addition of 3 drops of 1.0M HCl (or 3
drops of 1.0M NaOH) to Solutions 1, 2,
3, or 4? Explain.
the accuracy of the three methods
employed.
Using visual indicators are not that
reliable to determine pH of a
The greatest change in pH values after
solution since it does not give the
the addition of three drops of NaOH
exact value of the pH but rather an
and HCl was observed on solutions 1
approximation to where the
and 3. Meanwhile, solutions 2 and 4
solutions pH lies within the
present the least change in pH.
specified range [3]. It is also the least
Solutions 2 and 4 are buffer solutions.
accurate of the three since it is solely
These solutions contain weak
acids/weak bases with their respective
conjugate acid/base. Buffers can resist
based on the judgement of the
experimenter. Using pH meter on
appreciable addition of small amounts
the other hand, accounts for the
of strong acid or strong base [2]. These
value of the pH solution and is
buffers resistant ability can be described
better than visual indicators though
using the acid-dissociating constant
it is in doubt of its accuracy.
expression (1) [2]:
Solution preparation can be one
[H + ]
[HX]
[X ]
(1)
factor affecting the accuracy of the
The concentration of H+ ions in the
pH meter since it is always subject to
solution can be calculated from the acid-
experimenter errors [3]. Also, the low
constant expression, where X- is the
accuracy of the pH meter can be
anion of the weak acid . This
seen on the results gathered from
expression shows how pH varies
the experiment. The pH value of
directly with KA and to the
solution 4a with HCl was 11.27
corresponding ratio of the weak acid to
which were a lot more basic than the
[2]
its conjugate base [2]. In return, addition
of a small amount of strong base/ acid
only causes a small change in the pH
solution (4b) added with NaOH.
Among the three, calculation is the
value of the solution. This is the concept
best way possible to come up with
of Henderson-Hasselbach equation (2)
an exact value of the pH assumed
[2]
that the reaction happening in the
:
||
= + log ( || )
(2)
solution is what truly the theory
describes it and is exclusive of
external factors like errors in
preparation and measurement [3].
Yet, the accuracy of using
calculations depends on the
REFERENCES
experimenter by considering the
exact value, formulas and methods
in the experiment [3].
5. What are the possible sources of
error and their effect on the
calculated parameters? Rationalize.
During the conduct of the
experiment, since handled manually,
it is possible that there have been
method errors that have happened
which affected the accuracy of the
concentration of each solution. This
will result to deviations on the exact
pH value that the experimenter
could get. In glassware containers
which beakers were mostly used,
can be a source of inaccuracy in
measuring of the solutions [3].
Beakers lack small grade
measurements allowing the
experimenter not to get exact
amounts of liquids [3]. Lastly, the
methods done to determine the pH
of the solution can have
uncertainties. Visual indicators are
precise but not exact [3]. The pH
meter if not calibrated properly can
have errors [3]. Even by calculating
pH values, if the experimenter
misses out important formulas or
processes to properly obtain a
theoretical pH value [3].
[1] Kiruthiga, B. Theory of Indicators. (pp. 1-3).
Retrieved from
http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/sites/default/files/dow
nloads/Theory_Of_Indicators.pdf
[2] Po, H.N., & Senozan, N.M. (2011). The
Henderson-Hasselbach Equation: Its History and
Limitations. Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, California State University, Long
Beach, CA 90840. (pp. 1499-1503). Retrieved from
http://chemistry.oregonstate.edu/courses/ch421/P
revious%20pages/Course%20Docs%20Fall%2020
06/Henderson.pdf
[3] Illingworth, J.A. (1980). A common source of
error in pH measurements. Department of
Biochemistry, University of Leeds, 9 Hyde
Terrace, Leeds LS2 9LS, U.K. (pp. 259-262).
Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1
162880/pdf/biochemj00402-0256.pdf
APPENDIX A: SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
Solution1:
1A)
[HoAc]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x
I
C
E
[OH-]
0
-x
x
[Ac-]
0
+x
x
x2
(0.001 x)
x = 1.25x10^ 4 mol
1.25x104
[H +] =
= 0.012 M = .
0.010 L + 0.00001
1.8x10 5 =
1B)
[HoAc]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x
I
C
E
[OH-]
0.00015 mol
-x
0.00015-x
x2
(0.001 x)(0.00015 x)
x = 1.63x10^ 6 mol
1.63x106
[H +] =
= 1.64x104 = .
0.01015 L
1.8x10 5 =
Ka =
1C)
[CH3COOH][H+]
[CH3COOH]
pKa = = .
Solution 2:
pH=pKa + log ([base]/[acid]) , [base] = [acid]
pH= pKa + log 1
pH= pKa
pH= 4.74
[Ac-]
0
+x
x
Solution 3:
3A)
[OH-]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x
I
C
E
[H+]
0.00015 mol
-x
0.00015-x
[H20]
0
+x
x
x= 2.70x10-12 mol
[H2O]= 2.70x10-2 mol/ 0.01015 L= 2.66x10-10 M
pH= 9.58
3B)
[H+]
0.001 mol
-x
0.001-x
I
C
E
[OH-]
0.00015 mol
-x
0.00015-x
x= 1.35x10-12 mol
[H2O]= 2(1.35x10-12 )= 2.70x10-12 M
pH= 9.58
3C)
pOH= pKb + log ([acid]/[base]) , [acid]=[base]
pOH= pKb + log 1
pOH= pKb
pOH= 4.74
pH=14-4.74 = 9.26
Solution 4:
pOH= pKb + log ([acid]/[base]) , [acid]=[base]
pOH= pKb + log 1
pOH= pKb
pOH= 4.74
pH=14-4.74 = 9.26
[H20]
0
+2x
2x