EXPERIMENT # 02:
DETERMINATION OF ACIDITY OF WATER SAMPLE:
DEFINITION OF ACIDITY:
Acidity is defined as:
“The ability of a substance to donate a proton (H+ ion) or accept an electron pair, resulting in a pH
level below 7.”
Or:
“The capacity of a substance to neutralize bases or accept electrons, characterized by a high
concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) or a low pH value.”
Acidity is a fundamental property of substances that determines their behavior in various chemical
reactions and biological processes. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with:
• 0-1: Strongly acidic
• 2-3: Acidic
• 4-5: Weakly acidic
• 6-7: Neutral
• 8-14: Basic
Substances with high acidity, like hydrochloric acid (HCl), have a high concentration of H+ ions
and a low pH value. Substances with low acidity, like sodium hydroxide (NaOH), have a high
concentration of OH- ions and a high pH value.
PRINCIPLE:
Hydrogen ions present in a sample as a result of dissociation or hydrolysis of Solutes reacts with
additions of standard alkali (NaOH). Acidity thus depends on end point of the indicator used.
The colour change of phenolphthalein indicator is close to pH 8.3 at 25ºC
Corresponds to stoichiometric neutralisation of carbonic acid to bicarbonate.
INTRODUCTION:
Acidity is a measure of the capacity of water to neutralise bases. Acidity is the sum of all titrable
acid present in the water sample. Strong mineral acids, weak acids such as carbonic acid, acetic
acid present in the water sample contribute to acidity of the water. Usually dissolved carbon
dioxide (CO2) is the major acidic component present in the unpolluted surface waters. The volume
of standard alkali required to titrate a specific volume of the sample to pH 8.3 is called
phenolphthalein acidity (Total Acidity).The volume of standard alkali required to titrate a specific
volume of the water Sample (wastewater and highly polluted water) to pH 3.7 is called methyl
orange acidity (Mineral Acidity).
Types of Acidity:
There are different types of acidity:
➢ Arrhenius acidity: The ability of a substance to donate H+ ions in aqueous solutions.
➢ Bronsted-Lowry acidity: The ability of a substance to donate H+ ions or accept an
electron pair.
➢ Lewis acidity: The ability of a substance to accept an electron pair.
➢ Organic acidity: The ability of organic compounds to donate H+ ions or accept an electron
pair.
➢ Superacidity: Extremely high acidity, often used in specialized chemical reactions.
Acidity is measured using various scales, including:
➢ pH scale: A logarithmic scale ranging from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral (neither
acidic nor basic).
➢ pKa scale: A logarithmic scale measuring the dissociation constant of an acid.
➢ Hammett acidity function: A scale measuring the acidity of superacidic solutions.
Acidity plays a crucial role in various fields, including:
• Chemical reactions: Acidity influences reaction rates, equilibria, and product formation.
• Biological processes: Acidity regulates enzyme activity, protein structure, and cellular
processes.
• Environmental science: Acidity affects soil, water, and air quality, as well as ecosystem
health.
• Food and beverages: Acidity influences flavor, texture, and nutritional value.
• Pharmaceuticals: Acidity affects drug efficacy, stability, and bioavailability.
ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Acidity interferes in the treatment of water. Carbon dioxide is of important considerations in
determining whether removal by aeration or simple neutralization with lime soda ash or NaOH
will be chosen as the water treatment method.
The size of the equipment, chemical requirements, storage spaces and cost the treatment all
depends on the carbon dioxide present.
Aquatic life is affected by high water acidity. The organisms present are prone to death with low
pH of water.
High acidity water is not used for construction purposes. Especially in reinforced concrete
construction due to the corrosive nature of high acidity water.
Water containing mineral acidity is not fit for drinking purposes.
Industrial wastewaters containing high mineral acidity is must be neutralized before they are
subjected to biological treatment or direct discharge to water
APPARATUS:
• Burette
• Conical Flask
• Titration strand
• Beaker
• Stirrer
• Dropper
CHEMICAL REQUIRED:
• Indicator ( phenolphthalein + methyl orange)
Phenolphthalein= 9.5 and above
Methyl orange= 3.5 and above
WATWR SAMPLE:
3 different water samples
(I)Tap water ; pH= 7
(II) Soda + Water; pH= 5
(III) HCL + water ; pH= 1
(IV) Acetic acid + water, pH= 3
PROCEDURE:
1- Prepare 0.02M Solution of NaOH
Molarity = mass(g) /molar mass × 1/volume in L
0.02 = mass(g) / 40 × 1/1000mL
Mass(g) = 0.02×40×1000
Mass(g) = 0.8 g in 1000mL
So, Dissolve 0.8g of NaOH in 1000ml to prepare 0.02M of NaOH.
Add the solution in the burette. And set the burette on titration strand.
With Phenolphthalein:
2- A known volume of water sample (10ml) is pipette out into a conical flask to which 2 to 3
drops of phenolphthalein (indicator) is added. Depending upon the type of acidity present
the water; sample will either remain colorless or will turn pink.
• If color is produced, phenolphthalein acidity not present.
• If the solution turns not in pink, titrate water sample with standard NaOH solution taken in
a burette until the pink colour appears.
3- Record the volume of acid consumed (Burette reading).
With Methyl Orange:
1- To the same sample add 2 to 3 drops of methyl orange indicator. The colour of the solution
will turn orange.
2- Continue titration until the colour changes from orange to yellow.
3- Record the total volume of acid consumed.
4- Repeat the above procedure for (Sample 2 and Sample 3) to get concordant values.
CALCULATIONS:
SAMPLE 1:
Phenolphthalein:
Initial pH= 7
When phenolphthalein is added in sample 1, pink color appear. It means that phenolphthalein
acidity is not present.
But if we titrate the sample with some volume of 0.02M of NaOH solution: it remains colored.
Volume used= 0.3ml
As:
Alkalinity= A ( burret reading) × M (molarity) × 50 ×1000/ volume of sample
= 0.3 × 0.05 × 50 × 100/ 10
= 30mg/L of CaCO3
Methyl Orange:
When methyl orange is added in the sample, the Orange color appear. Then, titration is performed.
0.02 ml of NaOH is used and the sample solution turns from Orange to yellow orange it’s means
the mineral acidity is absent.
SAMPLE 2:
Phenolphthalein:
Initial pH =5.
When phenolphthalein is added in sample 1, pink color appear. It means that phenolphthalein
acidity is not present.
But if we titrate the sample with some volume of 0.02M of NaOH solution: it remains colored.
Volume used for titration= 0.6.2ml
Alkalinity= 6.3 × 0.05 × 50 × 1000 / 10
= 620mg/L of CaCO3
Methyl orange:
When methyl orange is added in the sample, the Orange color appear. Then, titration is performed.
0.02 ml of NaOH is used and the sample solution turns from Orange to yellow orange it’s means
the mineral acidity is absent.
SAMPLE 3:
Phenolphthalein:
Initial pH= 1
When phenolphthalein is added in the sample. The solution appears as colourless .Then, titration
is performed. The solution turns from colorless to pink.
Volume used for titration= 97mL
Alkalinity= 97 × 0.05 × 50 × 1000/ 10
= 9700mg/L of CaCO3
Methyl Orange:
When methyl orange is added in the sample, the solution appears as orange. Then, titration is
performed . The solution turns from orange to red.
Volume used for titration= 39ml
Alkalinity= 39 × 0.05 × 50 × 1000/ 10
= 3900mg/L of CaCO3
SAMPLE 4:
Phenolphthalein:
Initial pH= 3
When phenolphthalein is added in sample 4, pink color appear. It means that phenolphthalein
acidity is not present.
But if we titrate the sample with some volume of 0.02M of NaOH solution: it remains colorless.
Volume used = 35ml
Alkalinity= 35 × 0.05 × 50 × 1000/ 10
= 3500mg/L of CaCO3
Methyl Orange:
When methyl orange is added in the sample, the solution appears as orange. Then, titration is
performed . The solution turns from orange to red.
Volume used= 30.5ml
Alkalinity= 30.5 × 0.05 × 50 × 1000/ 10
= 3050mg/L of CaCO3
SAMPLE HANDLING AND PRESERVATION:
• Preservation of sample is not practical. Because biological activity will Continue after a
sample has been taken, changes may occur during handling and storage.
• To reduce the change in samples, keep all samples at 4º C. Do not allow samples to Freeze.
• Analysis should begin as soon as possible.
• Do not open sample bottle before analysis.
PRECAUTIONS
• Colored and turbid samples may interfere in end point. Those samples may be analyzed
electrometrically, using pH meter.
• Do not keep the indicator solution open since it contains the alcohol which tense to
evaporate. The mixed indicator solution is containing die in it. Care should be taken so that
it is not spill to your skin. If it spills on your skin the scare will remain for at least 2 to 3
days.
• Presence of residual chlorine may interfere in the colour response, which can be nullified
by addition of small amount of sodium thiosulphate or destroy it with ultraviolet radiation.
• Presence of iron and aluminum sulphate may interfere in the colour response while titrating
in room temperature, which can be nullified by titrating the sample at boiling temperature.
• Dissolved gases contributing to acidity such as CO2, H2S may interfere in the titration,
hence avoid vigorous shaking.
• Samples suspected to have hydrolysable metal ions or reduced forms of polyvalent cations
need hydrogen per oxide treatment.
• All the glass apparatus should be washed thoroughly with distilled water before use.
• The burette and pipette should be rinsed with solution to be taken in it.
• There should not be any leakage in the burret.
• The conical flask should be placed on white paper or board to identify the colour change
at the end point.