INTRODUTION
To find the concentration of a solution, you need something to compare it with. This
reference is called a standard. A common standard used is sodium hydroxide, which is
a base, and it helps in determining the concentration of acids. When an acid reacts with
a base, they produce salt and water.
Acid+Base→Salt+Water
Most reactions between acids and bases are carried out using a laboratory method
called titration. In titration, a solution with a known concentration is slowly added to
another solution to find its concentration. Many titrations involve neutralization reactions
between acids and bases, although other types of titrations can also be done.
Standardization is the process of determining the exact concentration of a solution using
a primary standard. In this experiment, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base, was
prepared and standardized using potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP), a primary
standard.
Titration was used to determine the concentration of NaOH. The endpoint was detected
using phenolphthalein indicator, which changes from colorless to faint pink.
EQUIPMENT AND CHEMICALS
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 25 ml Burette
Potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP)
Phenolphthalein indicator
25 ml Burette
100 ml Volumetric flask
100 ml Erlenmeyer flask
150 ml Beaker Distilled water
PROCEDURE
A. Preparing the NaOH Solution
1. Weigh approximately 0.4 g of solid NaOH pellets using a weighing boat. Record the
exact mass.
2. Dissolve the NaOH completely in about 50 mL of distilled water in a 100 mL beaker.
3. Carefully transfer the solution to a 100 mL volumetric flask. Rinse the beaker and
weighing boat 2–3 times with distilled water, adding each rinse to the flask to ensure
quantitative transfer.
4. Dilute to the 100 mL mark with distilled water. Use a dropper for the last few drops to
avoid overshooting. Stopper and invert the flask several times to mix thoroughly. Label
the flask.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this experiment was to standardize a NaOH solution using
KHP as a primary standard. Three titrations gave volumes of 9.00 mL,
10.00 mL, and 9.00 mL for 0.15 g of KHP, resulting in an average NaOH
concentration of 0.079 M.
The 1.0 mL difference between trials is likely due to endpoint error, as
phenolphthalein changes color with a slight excess of base and each drop
adds ∼0.05 mL. Other possible errors include burette reading mistakes and
air bubbles in the tip.
Despite minor variations, the results are acceptable for a first-year lab. The
standardized NaOH can now be used as a reliable secondary standard for
future titrations.
Post-Lab Questions
1. Why is it not possible to be 100% sure you have reached equivalence?
The endpoint we see (pink color) is not the true equivalence point. The indicator
changes at pH ∼8.2-10, and adding drop by drop means we always overshoot by at
least one drop.
2. Why measure KHP mass precisely but not water volume?
The moles of KHP depend only on its mass, not the water volume. Whether you use 20
mL or 50 mL of water, the moles of KHP stay the same. Only the mass affects the
calculation.
CONCLUSION
A sodium hydroxide solution was successfully prepared and standardized by titration
with KHP as a primary standard. The average concentration of the NaOH solution was
determined to be 0.079 M from three trials. This standardized solution can now be used
for accurate acid-base titrations.