CHEM 113, Section 053

Lab #5 Standardization of an NaOH Solution

Abstract

The purpose of this lab is to prepare a standardize solution of sodium hydroxide and to determine the
concentration of unknown acetic acid solution. A series of coarse and fine titrations was performed,
using NaOH as the titrant, and benzoic acid as the analyte for the first part of the experiment, and an
acetic acid of unknown concentration for the second part of the experiment. As well as using
phenolphthalein as an indicator in both parts. By averaging out the NaOH volume dispensed in three fine
titrations, I was able to calculate the molarity of NaOH. The calculated molarity of NaOH was 0.100 M,
but after the NaOH solution was standardized, the value drop to 0.0998 M.

To determine the unknown concentration of the acetic acid, the moles of NaOH was calculated using
the average dispensed NaOH volumes and the concentration of NaOH from part one. Using the
stoichoimetric ratio and the initial acetic acid volume, I was able to calculate the molarity of acetic acid
(0.0365 M). These results were expected because according to the background of the study, NaOH
solution does not have the expected molar concentration because it absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere, so the solution must be standardized to have an exact molar concentration. It must have a
different NaOH concentration than the calculated amount. The unknown concentration was also
expected to be lower than the standardized NaOH solution after the coarse titration was performed, due
to its lower volume ratio than the standardized NaOH solution. One thing to take away from this lab is
that the process of standardization is important for determining exact molar concentrations for
hygroscopic solutions.
CHEM 113, Section 053

Data Analysis

Coarse Titration

Mass of Benzoic Acid used (g) 0.244

pH of Benzoic Acid solution before titration 2.96
Volume of NaOH in the burrete before titration (mL) 50.00
Volume of NaOH in the burrete after titration (mL) 30.50
Volume of NaOH dispensed in the titration (mL) 19.50

Fine Titration

Trials Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass of Benzoic Acid used (g) 0.244 0.244 0.244
pH of Benzoic Acid solution 2.96 2.96 2.96
before titration
Volume of NaOH in the burrete 50.00 50.00 50.00
before titration (mL)
Volume of NaOH in the burrete 29.97 29.96 29.94
after titration (mL)
Volume of NaOH dispensed in 20.03 20.04 20.06
the titration (mL)
pH of Benzoic Acid solution after 9.02 9.27 9.55
titration

 Molarity of NaOH Solution:

[(0.800g NaOH) (mol NaOH / 39.997 g NaOH)] / (0.2L) = 0.1000 M NaOH

 Amount of Benzoic Acid to be Neutralized by 20.00 mL NaOH Solution:

(0.100 M NaOH x 0.2 L NaOH) = 0.002 mol NaOH
Stoichiometry ratio of NaOH to benzoic acid is 1:1, so 0.002 mol benzoic acid is to be
consumed
(0.002 mol benzoic acid) (122.12 g / mol) = 0.244 g benzoic acid

 Calculating the average Concentration of NaOH Solution (Using average dispensed NaOH
volume)
Vavg = (20.03 mL + 20.06 mL + 20.04 mL) / 3 = 20.043 mL = 0.020043 L NaOH
CHEM 113, Section 053

[NaOH]avg = (0.002 mol NaOH) / (0.020043 L NaOH) = 0.0998 M NaOH

Volume of acid (mL) = 25 mL

Volume of NaOH dispensed in 3 trials: 9.04 mL, 9.05 mL, and 9.02 mL
Average volume of NaOH solution dispensed (mL) = 9.04
Average number of moles of NaOH dispensed = 9.02 x 10 -3 moles NaOH
Average concentration of acid (M) = 0.0365 M Acetic acid

 Calculating the unknown concentration of acetic acid (using average dispensed volume of
NaOH solution in 3 Fine Titrations:
Vavg = (9.04 mL + 9.05 mL + 9.02 mL) / 3 = 9.04 mL
(0.0998 M NaOH)(0.00904 L NaOH) = 9.04 x 10 -3 mol NaOH
Stoichiometry ratio of NaOH to acetic acid is 1:1, so 9.04 x 10 -3 mol acetic acid is consumed
(9.04 x 10-3 mol) / (0.025 L) = 0.0365 M Acetic acid