TITRATING SODIUM CARBONATE WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Objectives
1. To demonstrate the basic laboratory technique of titration
2. To learn to calculate molarity based on titrations
Introduction
An aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid is almost completely dissociated into
hydrated
protons and chloride ions. Therefore, in a titration with hydrochloric acid the active
titrant
species is the hydrated proton. This species is often written HO although the actual
form is
solution is more correctly (H2O)nH+ For convenience we designate it simply H.
Carbonate in aqueous solution acts as a base; that is, it is able to accept a proton to
form
bicarbonate ion.
Sodium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid in two stages.
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
The end points for the two stages can be found using suitable indicators. The reaction
car
also be followed using a pH meter.
Apparatus
1. 250cm3 beaker
2. 250cm3 conical flask
3. 25ml bulb pipette
4. Pipette filler
5. Burette, Burette stand and holder
6. Plastic filter funnel
7. White tile
Chemicals
1. Standard sodium carbonate solution (0.1M)
2. Dilute Hydrochloric acid to standardise
3. Phenolphthalein indicator
3. Methyl orange indicator solution.
Procedure
Use a pipette and safety filler to put 250mls of standard 0.1M sodium carbonate
solution
into a small conical Mask
2) Add 3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator. The solution should be red-pink.
3) Titrate with dilute hydrochloric acid solution from a burette until the last traces of
pale
pink colour has disappeared. Note down the burette readings in the table below.
4) Add 4 drops of methyl orange. The solution should now be a yellow colour.
5) Continue to add acid from the burette until the solution just turns orange-red. Note
down
the final burette reading
6) Repeat steps D) to 5) to get concordant titres for the two end points.
Calculations
1. Calculate the number of moles of Na2CO3, in the 25.0cm³ transferred to the
conical flask.
2. Write the equation for the reaction.
3. From the equation you have written, calculate the number moles of HCI used in the
_reaction.
4. Number of moles molarity & volume in dm³
Molarity= number of moles/volume in dm³
Use this to then work out the molarity of the hydrochloric acid
Discussion
The titration results show the two endpoints corresponding to the neutralization of
sodium carbonate to bicarbonate and bicarbonate to carbon dioxide and water.
The first reaction involves the neutralization of
𝑁a2CO3, detected by phenolphthalein turning colourless. The second endpoint occurs
when all
𝑁aHC03 is neutralized, indicated by methyl orange.
Using the average titration volumes and the stoichiometry of the reactions, the
molarity of the hydrochloric acid can be calculated.
The molar ratio of sodium carbonate to hydrochloric acid is 1:2, and accurate results
rely on careful measurement and consistent technique.
Conclusion
The molarity of hydrochloric acid was determined by titrating it against a standard
sodium carbonate solution. Phenolphthalein and methyl orange indicators were used
to identify the two reaction endpoints.
References
Chemistry practical laboratory manuals.
Vogel, A. I. (1989). Textbook of Quantitative Chemical Analysis.