Chemistry Project
Measure the amount of acetic acid in vinegar
Ridaansh Verma
class-12B
Certificate
This is to certify that Ridaansh Verma of class XII has completed the chemistry
project entitled Measure the amount of acetic acid in vinegar ’
himself and under my guidance. The progress of the project has been
continuously reported and has been in my knowledge consistently.
Mr. Bharat Kumar
(P.G.T CHEMISTRY)
APEEJAY SCHOOL
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Table of Contents
S. Topic Page No.
No.
1. Certificate 1
2. Aim 3
3. Objective 4
4. Introduction 5
5. Apparatus Required 7
6. Theory 8
7. Experimental Procedure 9
1. Experiment 1
2. Experiment 2
3. Experiment 3
8. Result 13
9. Precautions 14
10. References 15
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Aim
Measuring the Amount of Acetic Acid in Vinegar
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Objective
To perform volumetric analysis using titration method.
To estimate the amount of acetic acid present in:
1. Laboratory Vinegar
2. Branded Household Vinegar
3. Local/Unbranded Vinegar
To develop skill in observation and calculations in experimental
chemistry.
To apply chemistry to evaluate real-world consumer products.
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Introduction
Vinegar is a common household chemical that has been used for centuries in
cooking, cleaning, and food preservation. It is a sour liquid produced by the
fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. The key component that gives
vinegar its sharp taste and acidic nature is acetic acid (CH₃COOH). Typically,
vinegar contains between 4% to 8% acetic acid by volume.
This project focuses on determining the exact percentage of acetic acid in
different types of vinegar using a simple and reliable laboratory method known
as acid-base titration. By applying the principles of volumetric analysis, we can
quantitatively analyze the concentration of acetic acid in any vinegar sample.
Acid-base titration involves the neutralization of an acid with a base. In this
experiment, we use sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base of known
concentration, to titrate vinegar, which contains an unknown amount of acetic
acid. The amount of base required to neutralize the acid gives us enough
information to calculate its concentration.
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The reaction involved in this process is a neutralization reaction, which can be
written as:
CH₃COOH (Acid)+NaOH (Base)→CH₃COONa (Salt)+H₂O (Water)
We use an indicator called phenolphthalein to identify the point at which the
acid has completely reacted with the base. Phenolphthalein remains colorless
in acidic medium and turns light pink in slightly basic medium. The appearance
of a stable pale pink color is taken as the endpoint of the titration.
By performing this experiment with different vinegar samples — such as
laboratory-prepared vinegar, branded household vinegar, and local
unbranded vinegar — we can compare their acetic acid contents. This is a
useful skill not just in academic chemistry, but also in industries where product
quality and standardization are essential.
This project also helps reinforce several key chemistry concepts such as
molarity, normality, equivalent weight, and practical lab skills like careful
measurement, accurate observation, and safe handling of chemicals.
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Apparatus Required
To do this experiment we will need the following materials and equipment:
Vinegar, three different types.
Distilled water
Small funnel
0.5% Phenolphthalein solution in alcohol (pH indicator solution)
0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution
125 mL Conical flask
25 or 50 mL burette
10 mL graduated cylinder
Ring stand
Burette clamp
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Theory
Required amount of
sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) can be
calculated using the
following formula:
Molar mass of NaOH = 40 g/mol
The acetic acid content of a vinegar may be determined by titrating a vinegar
sample with a solution of sodium hydroxide of known molar concentration
(molarity).
CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq) --> CH3COONa(aq) + H2O(l) (acid) + (base) --> (salt)
+ (water)
At the end point in the titration stoichiometry between the both solution lies in
a 1:1 ratio.
Strength of acid in vinegar can be determined by the following formula:
Strength of acetic acid =
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Indicator: - Phenolphthalein
End Point: - Colourless to pink
Experimental Procedure
Performing the Titration-
1. Pour 1.5 mL of vinegar in a Conical flask
2. Add distilled water to dissolve the vinegar so that the volume of the
solution becomes 20 mL.
3. Add 3 drops of 0.5% phenolphthalein solution.
4. Use the burette clamp to attach the burette to the ring stand. The opening
at the bottom of the burette should be just above the height of the Conical
flask we use for the vinegar and phenolphthalein solution.
5. Use a funnel to fill the burette with a 0.1 M solution of sodium hydroxide.
6. Note the starting level of the sodium hydroxide solution in the burette. Put
the vinegar solution to be titrated under the burette.
7. Slowly drip the solution of sodium hydroxide into the vinegar solution. Swirl
the flask gently to mix the solution, while keeping the opening underneath
the burette.
8. At some point we will see a pink colour in the vinegar solution when the
sodium hydroxide is added, but the colour will quickly Downloaded from
[Link] disappear as the solution is mixed. When this happens,
slow the burette to drop-by-drop addition.
9. When the vinegar solution turns pink and remains that colour even with
mixing, the titration is complete. Close the tap (or pinch valve) of the
burette.
10. Note the remaining level of the sodium hydroxide solution in the burette.
Remember to read from the bottom of the meniscus.
11. Subtract the initial level from the remaining level to figure out how much
titrating solution we have used.
12. For each vinegar that we test, repeat the titration at least three times.
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Experiment-1 (Lab Vinegar)
Volume of vinegar: 20 mL
Volume of NaOH used (concordant value): 15.2 mL
Observation Table
S. Volume in Vinegar Burette Volume of NaOH Solution
No. Solution (in mL) Reading Used (in mL)
Final
Initial (mL)
(mL)
1 20 0 15.2 15.2
2 20 15.2 30.4 15.2
3 20 30.4 45.6 15.2
Concordant NaOH volume (V₂) = 15.2 mL
Vinegar volume (V₁) = 20 mL
Calculations:
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Experiment-2 (Household Vinegar)
Volume of vinegar: 10 mL
Volume of NaOH used (concordant value): 13.5 mL
Observation Table
S. Volume in Vinegar Burette Volume of NaOH Solution
No. Solution (in mL) Reading Used (in mL)
Final
Initial (mL)
(mL)
1 10 0 13.5 13.5
2 10 13.5 27.0 13.5
3 10 27.0 40.5 13.5
Concordant NaOH volume (V₂) = 13.5 mL
Vinegar volume (V₁) = 10 mL
Calculations:
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Experiment-3 (Wine Vinegar)
Volume of vinegar: 10 mL
Volume of NaOH used (concordant value): 24.0 mL
Observation Table
S. Volume in Vinegar Burette Volume of NaOH Solution
No. Solution (in mL) Reading Used (in mL)
Final (M
Initial (mL)
L)
1 10 0 24.0 24.0
2 10 24.0 48.0 24.0
3 10 0 24.0 24.0
Concordant NaOH volume (V₂) = 24.0 mL
Vinegar volume (V₁) = 10 Ml
Calculations:
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Result
1. Lab Vinegar
Volume of vinegar taken: 20 mL
Volume of NaOH used (concordant): 15.2 mL
Normality of acetic acid: 0.076 N
Strength of acetic acid: 4.56 g/L
Percentage of Acetic Acid: 4.56%
2. Household Vinegar
Volume of vinegar taken: 10 mL
Volume of NaOH used (concordant): 13.5 mL
Normality of acetic acid: 0.135 N
Strength of acetic acid: 8.1 g/L
Percentage of Acetic Acid: 8.1%
3. Wine Vinegar
Volume of vinegar taken: 10 mL
Volume of NaOH used (concordant): 24.0 mL
Normality of acetic acid: 0.24 N
Strength of acetic acid: 14.4 g/L
Percentage of Acetic Acid: 14.4%
Final Conclusion from Results
Among the three tested samples:
Wine Vinegar had the
highest concentration of
acetic acid at 14.4%.
Household Vinegar showed
a moderate concentration at
8.1%.
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Lab Vinegar had the lowest acetic acid content at 4.56%.
Precautions
1. All glassware (burette, pipette, conical flask) should be properly cleaned
before use to avoid contamination.
2. The burette must be rinsed with the standard NaOH solution before
filling to ensure accuracy.
3. Pipette should be rinsed with the vinegar sample before measuring the
exact volume.
4. Phenolphthalein indicator should be used in minimal quantity (2–3
drops) to avoid affecting the reaction.
5. NaOH should be added dropwise near the end point while continuously
swirling the conical flask.
6. The end point should be noted precisely when a faint pink colour
persists permanently.
7. Concordant readings should be taken to improve the accuracy of results.
8. The entire experiment must be performed under adult or teacher
supervision, especially when handling NaOH.
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References
1. NCERT Chemistry Textbook for Class 12 – Part I & II
2. Comprehensive Chemistry for Class 12 by Laxmi Publications
3. Laboratory Manual – Chemistry Class XII (CBSE)
4. S. Chand’s Practical Chemistry Class 12
5. Internet sources (educational websites):
o [Link]
o [Link]
o [Link]
o [Link]
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