History of the pipette

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
 VCE CHEMISTRY

U2 AOS2: HOW ARE CHEMICALS MEASURED AND ANALYSED?

ANALYSIS FOR ACIDS AND BASES

Volumetric analysis
Click to edit lesson
(Part 2)
Presented by Jess McCartney

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What's in this lesson?
Study design dot point

• volume-volume stoichiometry (solutions Principles of titration1

only) and application of volumetric analysis,
including the use of indicators, calculations Acid-base titrations2
related to the preparation of standard
solutions, dilution of solutions, [and use
of acid-base titrations (excluding back
titrations)1][to determine the concentration
of an acid or a base in a water sample2]

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Volumetric analysis P

Key takeaway Burette Volumetric flask

Beaker
Conical flask
Volumetric analysis (n.)
Volumetric analysis is an analytical Any method of
technique for determining the quantitative chemical
concentration of a solution by analysis in which the
titrating it against a solution of Calibration line amount of substance
known concentration and volume is determined by
measuring the volume
(standard solution). that
Useditto occupies.
collect
Where the reaction
from stock solutions
takes place
and to collect waste

Pipette

Deep dive
Volumetric flask
• Titration is the volumetric
Conical flask
Beaker
Suction bulb

technique we will be focussing

on in VCE.
• TitrationCalibration
involvesline using a burette Calibration line

to add controlled amounts

of a solution to reach the Used to collect
Used for sucking
up solution safely
Where the reaction
from stock solutions
equivalence point of a reaction.
takes place
and to collect waste
in the pipette

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Equipment used
Key takeaway
Aliquot (n.)
The following pieces of glassware are used in titrations. A small measured amount
of homogenous liquid that
Equipment Visual reference Use
is added to a solution
Conical flask A volumetric flask is used to prepare a standard
Beaker
Suction bulb
of unknown concentration.
solution. An accurately weighed sample Titre (n.)
Volumetric flask of primary standard is placed in the flask and Total volume of solution
Where the reaction
takes place
dissolved in deionised water to form a specific
Used to collect
from stock solutions
and to collect waste
Used for sucking
up solution safely
in the pipette
delivered by the burette
volume of solution. to reach the endpoint.

A pipette is used to accurately measure

Beaker
Conical flask Suction bulb

a specific volume of the solution that will

Pipette
Used for sucking
be placed in the conical flask. This known
Used to collect

volume is known as the aliquot.

Where the reaction up solution safely
from stock solutions in the pipette
takes place
and to collect waste

One of the solutions is placed in the burette

Beaker
Conical flask Suction bulb

which delivers accurately known volumes

Burette of solution known as titres. The volume
of solution delivered will differ
Where the reaction
Used to collect
Used for sucking
up solution safely
from stock solutions

between reactions.
takes place in the pipette
and to collect waste

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Reading the burette
Key takeaway
Meniscus (n.)
The burettes are usually calibrated
The curve seen at the top
in intervals of 0.10 ml. of a liquid in response
to its container.
When reading the burette it is necessary 19

to read the volume to two decimal places

from the bottom of the meniscus.
19.80 mL

19.70 mL

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19.60 mL

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Concordance
Deep dive
Concordant (n.)
To ensure that your determined average titre is reliable, the titration must be repeated,
Volume of two or more
and the results must be considered concordant. titres that are similar
in quantity.
Concordant titres are titres that are within 0.10 ml of each other. Also, a similar colour
of solution will help reinforce the concordance of your titres.

The average titre is derived from three concordant titres.

The titration needs to be repeated until you get at least three.

Titration number 1 2 3 4 5

Final burette reading (mL) 20.20 40.02 20.64 40.42 21.86

Initial burette reading (mL) 0.00 20.20 1.00 20.64 2.00

Titre (mL) 20.20 19.82 19.64 19.78 19.86

!".$% ' !".($ ' !".$)

Average titre = *
= 19.82 ml

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Endpoint versus equivalence point
Endpoint Equivalence point
The endpoint of an indicator is the pH The equivalence point of an acid-base
at which the indicator will change colour. reaction is reached when both the acid and
base are present in the exact ratios shown
For an indicator to be an appropriate in their equation.
choice for titration, its endpoint has
to be very close to the equivalence
point of the reaction occurring.

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The set up
Key takeaway
The diagram shows the set up and process of titration. You must take your time
during the whole process to minimise errors and increase accuracy.

Burette
Pipette Initial
reading
Conical flask
Final
reading
Dropping Hold Release Hold
pipette
Indicator

1 2 3 4 5

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Multiple choice activity

What would be the average titre from the A. 19.08

following results?
B. 19.10
19.11, 19.68, 19.05, 19.08, 19.19
C. 19.15

D. 19.22

E. I don’t know.

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Multiple choice – response

What would be the average titre from the A. 19.08

following results?
B. 19.10
19.11, 19.68, 19.05, 19.08, 19.19
C. 19.15

D. 19.22

E. I don’t know.

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Preparing standard solution
Key takeaway
Standard solution (n.)
The standard solution is the accurately known solution. The standard solution is prepared
A solution of accurately
using a primary standard (learnt in Part 1). known concentration
prepared from
Mass of primary standard is weighed a primary standard.
1. The mass of the primary standard is weighed
Primary standard is transferred Primary standard (n.)
[Link] volumetric
The primaryflask standard is transferred Reagent that is very
to volumetric flask pure, representative
Deionised water added to the of the number of moles
volumetric flask until primary
3. Deionised water is added to the volumetric the substance contains.
standard
flask is dissolved
until the primary standard is dissolved
Solution is left at rest to allow any
4. The solution is left at rest to allow any
volume expansion from newly-formed
volume expansion
intermolecular forces from newly formed
84.32 g intermolecular forces
Deionised water is added until the
[Link]
Deionised
lies onwater is added
the required until the meniscus
volume
lies on the required volume

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Worked example
Calculate the concentration of a standard solution prepared from 29.22 g of sodium chloride (NaCl)
dissolved in a 1.00 L volumetric flask.
(2 marks)
Sample answer
Thinking Working
Use the chemical formula to determine the molar The molar mass (Mr) of NaCl
mass (Mr) of the compound is 23.0 + 35.5 = 58.5 g/mol
Use the mass (m) and molar mass (Mr) of the ! $%.$$
! 𝑛 = =
compound and the formula 𝑛 = "# '(.'
"#
to determine the amount, in mol = 0.502 mol

Use the amount, in mol, to determine the ) ,.',$

𝑐 = =
concentration of the solution using the + -.,,
)
formula 𝑐 = = 0.502 M
*

Marking guide
Key criteria Mark allocation

Calculates the mole of NaCl 1 mark

Calculates the concentration of NaCl 1 mark

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Calculations in volumetric analysis
Key takeaway
Once the titration has been completed, Write a balanced chemical equation.
you will have determined the average titre.
You can then take this information, along
with the known properties of the standard
solution and aliquots, and use stoichiometry Determine the volume of the average titre.
to calculate the properties of the
unknown solution.

Use the concentration of the standard solution to calculate the

amount, in mol, of the known substance in the average titre.

Use the mole ratio in the equation to calculate the amount,

in mol, of the unknown substance that reacted in the titration.

Use the amount, in mol, that reacted and the sample volume
to determine the concentration of the unknown substance.

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Worked example
The concentration of hydrochloric acid was determined by titration with a standard solution
of sodium hydroxide. A 25.00 ml aliquot of HCl was titrated with a 1.00 M solution of sodium
hydroxide. Titres of 25.05 ml, 22.10 ml, 22.05 ml and 22.00 ml were required to reach the
endpoint. What is the concentration of the hydrochloric acid solution?
(5 marks)

Volume of aliquot of HCl 25.00 ml

Concentration of standard NaOH solution 1.00 M
Titre volumes of NaOH 25.05 ml, 22.10 ml, 22.00 ml, 22.05 ml

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Worked example
Thinking Working

An acid is reacting with a metal hydroxide, or base, so the

Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction. products will be a salt and water.
Determine known and unknown.
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

25.05 ml is discarded as it is not concordant.

Determine the volume of the average titre !!.#$ & !!.$' & !!.$$
Ave. Titre = = 22.05 ml
(

𝑛(NaOH) = 𝑐 × 𝑉
Calculate the amount, in mol, of the standard solution that
= 1.00 × 0.02205
was required to reach the endpoint.
= 0.02205 mol

Use the mole ratio in the equation to calculate the amount, mole ratio 1:1
in mol, of the unknown substance that would not have
So, n(HCl) = n(NaOH)
reacted with the given amount, in mol, of the
standard solution. = 0.02205 mol
)
[HCl] =
*

Determine the concentration of the unknown substance $.$!!$'

=
$.$!'$$

= 0.882 M

Express your answer to the appropriate number Three sig. fig.

of significant figures Concentration of HCl = 0.882 M

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Worked example

Sample answer
0.882 M

Marking guide
Key criteria Mark allocation

Writes a balanced chemical equation 1 mark

Calculates average titre using concordant results 1 mark

Calculates the mole of NaOH 1 mark

Calculate the mole of the unknown using mole ratio 1 mark

Calculates concentration of unknown 1 mark

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Common errors
Key takeaway
Mistakes are classified as avoidable errors.

Examples of common errors:

• Misreading numbers on a scale.
• Mistakenly using a pipette of incorrect volume.
• Spilling a portion of a sample.

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Common errors
Deep dive
As there are so many steps and different pieces of glassware involved in a titration other
errors can occur and effect the results differently.
Effect on accuracy of calculated
concentration, if unknown solution is in:
Situation Explanation
Conical flask Burette

Solution in the burette

Burette rinsed with water Overestimated Underestimated
become dilute
Solution in conical flask
Pipette rinsed with water Underestimated Overestimated
becomes diluted
Conical flask rinsed with Solution in conical flask has
Overestimated Underestimated
solution to fill it higher concentration of solute

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Multiple choice activity

A burette is rinsed with the solution it is filled A. underestimation.

with, this affects the final concentration
calculation by… B. overestimation.

C. dilution.

D. no effect.

E. I don’t know.

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Multiple choice – response

A burette is rinsed with the solution it is filled A. underestimation.

with, this affects the final concentration
calculation by… B. overestimation.

C. dilution.

D. no effect.

E. I don’t know.

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
Summary What’s coming next
Volumetric analysis (Part 3)
19

Key terms
Write a balanced chemical equation. 19.80 mL Volumetric analysis

19.70 mL Aliquot
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Titre
19.60 mL

Determine the volume of the average titre. Meniscus

Concordant

21 Endpoint
Use the concentration of the standard solution to calculate the
amount, in mol, of the known substance in the average titre. Equivalence point
Standard solution
Burette
Pipette Initial Primary standard
Use the mole ratio in the equation to calculate the amount, reading
in mol, of the unknown substance that reacted in the titration. Conical flask
Final
reading
Dropping Hold Release Hold
pipette
Use the amount, in mol, that reacted and the sample volume
Indicator
to determine the concentration of the unknown substance.

1 2 3 4 5
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Image credit and question sources
Image attribution:
• Page 1: Image used under Public Domain from Wikimedia Commons
Question sources:
• All questions are written by Jess McCartney.

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© Jess McCartney & Edrolo 2023
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