1.

1 ABSTRACT
The aim of this experiment is to determine the Ka value of a weak acid by titration of the acid
with sodium hydroxide solution. Known concentration 0.1M of NaOH was used to titrate
unknown acid solution. The data was recorder and the titration curve was plotted. From the
curve, volume at equivalence point and half equivalence point was obtained which will give the
corresponding pH of unknown acid solution at half equivalence point of the titration. Three
titration was done, which produce Ka value of 5.6105 x 10-6 ,6.1094 x 10-6 and 4.7315 x 10-6
respectively. The average Ka obtained for part 1 of the experiment was 5.4838 x 10 -6 which is
near to Ka value of KHP (5.3 x 10 -6). For the second part of the experiment, the Ka was
calculated by using the pH obtained directly from the pH meter when the pH electrode was put in
the unknown acid solution. The average Ka value obtained was 4.4506 x 10 -8 and the Ka value is
closest to Ka value for hypochlorous acid which is 3.5 x 10 -8. Unfortunately, the acid used in
both of the experiment was KHP. The result obtained in second part of the experiment
contradicts to the acid used. The percentage experimental error in second part of the experiment
calculated was 99.16%.

1.2 INTRODUCTION

Acids and bases are often described as being weak or strong.

While this

classification seems somewhat arbitrary, other more quantitative descriptors exist. According to
the Bronsted-Lowrey acid-base theory, the strength of an acid is related to its ability to donate
protons. All acid-base reactions are then competitions between bases of various strengths for
these protons For acids, Ka values are commonly used. The Ka value is an indication of acid
strength The larger the Ka value, the stronger the acid and vice versa. The Ka value is a
characteristics of an acid and can be used to identify an unknown acid. A similar system exists
for bases (Kb).
Two methods may be used to determine the Ka value. Both methods require the use of a
pH meter. In the first method, a sample of acid is titrated with base. The pH values are plotted
vs. the volume of base added. The equivalence point is determined from the graph. Next, the
volume of base halfway to the equivalence point is found, and the pH at this volume is noted.
The [H+] corresponding to this pH is equal to the Ka for the acid. At a point halfway to the
equivalence point, [H+] = [HA] = [A-] for a monoprotic acid. Canceling out [A-] and [HA] in
Equation 2 gives Ka = [H+].
The second method for determining Ka in this experiment is to measure directly the pH
of the unknown acid by using pH meter.

1.3 OBJECTIVES
2

To determine the Ka value of unknown acid given and identify the unknown acid based on its Ka
value.
The pKa of an unidentified acid will be graphically determined using titration data and the Ka for
the acid determined from the titration curve and from initial molarity and pH.
1.4 THEORY
As we have seen, there are relatively few strong acids. The vast majority of acids are weak acids.
Consider a weak monoprotic acid, HA. Its ionization in water represented by:
HA (aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ + A- (aq)
Or simply
HA (aq) + H+ (aq) + A- (aq)
where H+ represents the acidic proton and A- represents the conjugate base of the weak acid.
The equilibrium constant for the dissociation is given by Ka which can be expressed as;

Ka = [ H3O+] [A-]
[ HA ]

or

Ka =

[H+] [ A- ]
[ HA ]

Where Ka, can be defined as the acid ionization constant, is the equilibrium constant for the
ionization of an acid. At a given temperature, the strength of the acid HA is measured
quantitatively by the magnitude of Ka. Keep in mind, however, that only weak acids have Ka
values associated with them.The larger the Ka, the stronger the acid- that is, the greater the
concentration of H+ ions at equilibrium due to its ionization.
Under these equilibrium conditions, the total concentration of each species remains constant,
even though the species in solution are constantly dissociating and recombining. The degree of
dissociation of the weak acid is used to characterize the acid, and is calculated according to the
equation: In the expression, Ka is the acid dissociation constant. Strong acids typically dissociate
completely, and therefore would have a Ka value of greater than 1.

Weak acids have Ka values much smaller than 1 (typically less than 10-4 ). For example, the Ka
of acetic acid (vinegar) is 1.75x10-5, while the Ka of bicarbonate (baking soda) is 4.7x10 -11. For
convenience, scientists often use the pKa of weak acids, as it allows them to work with whole
numbers (pKa = -log Ka). The pKa values of acetic acid and bicarbonate are 4.75 and 10.32,
respectively. When a strong base is added to a solution of a weak acid, the hydroxide ion reacts
with some of the H3O+ present, therefore disturbing the equilibrium.
More of the acid will dissociate, until a new equilibrium is established. When the number of
moles of base added equals the number of moles of weak acid present, a sharp change is
observed in pH, which can be detected using either a visual indicator or pH meter. This point is
the equivalence point, and any additional base added simply increases the pH. This information
can be used to determine the quantity (in moles) of acid that is present. The volume and
concentration of the added base can be used to determine the number of moles of acid present
(by assuming a 1:1 molar ratio of acid:base). By measuring the pH of solution after each addition
of base, a titration curve can be constructed.
This equation can be rearranged in terms of [H+]
[H+] = Ka [ HA ]
[ A- ]
At a volume of titrant equal to half that required to completely neutralize the weak acid present,
the remaining concentration of HA will be equal to that of A- formed during the neutralization
reaction.
[ HA ] = [A-]
So that,
[ H+ ] = Ka
By converting [ H+ ] to pH, a useful relationship between the pH at the midpoint of the titration
and the pKa is obtained
pH = - log [ H+ ] = - log Ka = pKa

The titration curve allows for the determination of the Ka value of the acid. According to the
equation above, Ka will be equal to [H +] when [A- ] = [HA], and the pKa will equal the pH at
this point. This condition is satisfied halfway to the equivalence point of the titration.
In order to determine or identify the unknown acid, we can use the following table to choose the
identity of your unknown acid based on the calculated dissociation constant values, pKa values.
Table 1.1: The possibilities of Ka value of weak acids
Compound
Acetic acid
Benzoic acid
Carbonic acid
Formic acid
Hypochlorous acid
Dihydrogen

Formula
CH3COOH
C6H5COOH
H2CO3
HCOOH
HOCl
H2PO4-

Molar Mass
60.0
122.0
62.0
46.0
52.5
128.5

Ka
1.8 x 10-5
6.3 x 10-5
4.2 x 10-7
1.8 x 10-4
3.5 x 10-8
6.2 x 10-8

phosphate ion
Hydrogen carbonate

HCO3-

115.2

4.8 x 10-11

ion
Nitrous acid
Phenol
Potassium hydrogen

HNO2
C6H6O
KC8H5O4

44.0
94.1
204.2

4.8 x 10-11
1.0 x 10-10
5.3 x 10-6

phthalate
Ammonium chloride

NH4Cl

53.5

5.6 x 10-10

from Langes Handbook of Chemistry, 13th edition

1.5 APPARATUS AND CHEMICALS

APPARATUS
50 mL burettes, 600 mL beaker, 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, 10 mL volumetric flask, retort stand,
boss and clamp, pH meter, pH electrode.
5

CHEMICALS
0.1 M NaOH, unkown acid solution.

1.6 PROCEDURE
Experiment 1: pH of unknown acid by titration
1. Ten mL (10.0 mL) of unknown acid solution was transferred to a clean, dry 250 mL
beaker using a 10mL volumetric pipette.
2. One mL (1 mL) of NaOH was wadded to the unknown acid solution and the pH was
recorded.
3. After the recorded pH increased drastically, one drop by one drop of NaOH was added
to the unknown acid solution.
4. Steps 1 to 3 repeated twice for second and third trial.
5. The graph of pH versus volume NaOH added was plotted. From the plots, the volume
of NaOH required to neutralize the unknown acid solution in each titration was
determined. The data was recorded.
5. The average molarity of unknown acid solution for each titration was calculated.
6. Ka value of unknown acid solution for each titration was calculated.
7. The average Ka value of unknown acid solution was calculated.
8. The unknown acid solution was determined by the Ka value calculated.

Experiment 2: pH of unknown acid by using pH meter

1. Twenty mL (20.0 mL) of unknown acid solution was transferred to a clean, dry 250
mL beaker using a 10mL volumetric pipette.
2. pH electrode was put in the beaker and the pH of the unknown acid was recorded.
3. Step 1 and 2 was repeated for second and third trial.
6

Buret
containing
NaOH

Beaker containing
unknown acid
solution
pH meter

Figure 1.1 : Apparatus set up

1.7 RESULTS
Experiment 1:
Table 1.2: Results recorder for titration 1, titration 2 and titration 3 between unknown acid and
NaOH
7

Titration 1
Volume of
NaOH(mL)
0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4

pH

Titration 2
Volume of

4.10
4.34
4.56
4.78
4.93
5.13
5.29
5.70
5.72
6.13
10.36
10.97
11.04
11.09
11.09

NaOH (mL)
0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4

pH

Titration 3
Volume of

pH

4.08
4.34
4.56
4.76
4.95
5.15
5.31
5.57
5.78
6.31
10.80
10.96
11.01
11.04
11.09

NaOH (mL)
0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
11.1
11.2
11.3

4.08
4.27
4.48
4.72
4.87
5.05
5.21
5.45
5.68
6.11
7.07
11.29
11.36
11.38
11.39

Titration Curve of Uknown Acid with NaOH

12
10
8
pH

6
4
2
0

10

12

Volume NaOH ( mL)

Figure 1.2 : Titration curve of unknown acid with NaOH

The volume of NaOH used at the equivalence point is 9.510mL at pH 8.245. The volume of
NaOH used at the half-equivalence point is 4.755 mL at pH 5.251

Table 1.3: Data recorded for titration 1

Data

Titration 1
0.0 9 51 M

Molarity of weak acid

Molarity of NaOH

0.1 M

Volume of NaOH required to reach half-equivalence point

4.755 mL

Volume of NaOH required to reach equivalence point

9.51 0 mL

pH at half-equivalence point

5.251

pH at equivalence point

8.245
5.6105 x 10

Ka based on half-equivalence point

-6

Titration Curve of Uknown Acid with NaOH

12
10
8
pH

6
4
2
0

10

12

volume of NaOH (mL)

Figure 1.3 : Titration curve of unknown acid with NaOH.

The volume of NaOH used at the equivalence point is 9.51mL at pH 8.245. The volume of
NaOH used at the half-equivalence point is 4.755 mL at pH

Table 1.4: Data recorded for titration 2

Data

Titration 2
0.0 932 M

Molarity of weak acid

Molarity of NaOH

0.1 M

Volume of NaOH required to reach half-equivalence point

4.660 mL

Volume of NaOH required to reach equivalence point

9.320 mL

pH at half-equivalence point

5.214

pH at equivalence point

8.555
6.1094 x

Ka based on half-equivalence point

-6

Titration Curve of Unknown Acid with NaOH

12
10
8
pH

6
4
2
0

10

12

Volume NaOH (mL)

Figure 1.4 : Titration curve of Unknown Acid with NaOH

The volume of NaOH used at the equivalence point is 10.5mLat pH 9.180. The volume of NaOH
used at the half-equivalence point is 5.250 mL at pH 5.325

Table 1.5: Data recorded for titration 3

10

Data

Titration3
0.105 M

Molarity of weak acid

Molarity of NaOH

0.1 M

Volume of NaOH required to reach half-equivalence point

5.250 mL

Volume of NaOH required to reach equivalence point

10.5 mL

pH at half-equivalence point

5.325

pH at equivalence point

9.180
4.7315 x 10

Ka based on half-equivalence point

-6

Experiment 2:
Table 1.6
First Reading
4. 20

pH

Second Reading
4.16

Third Reading
4. 17

pKa

6.3098 x 10

-5

6.9183 x 10

-5

6.7608 x 10

-5

Ka

3.9853 x 10

-8

4.7911 x 10

-8

4.5754 x 10

-8

4.4506 x 10

Average Ka

-8

1.8 CALCULATIONS
Experiment 1
[ H+ ] =

Ka [ HA ]
[ A- ]
11

At a volume of titrant equal to half that required to completely neutralize the weak acid present,
the remaining concentration of HA will be equal to that of A- formed during the neutralization
reaction.
[ HA ] = [A-] so that, [ H+ ] = Ka
By converting [ H+ ] to pH, a relationship between the pH at the midpoint of the titration and the
pKa is obtained
pH =log[ H ]

log Ka=pKa
4.755 mL

From figure 1.2, the pH value corresponding to

is

5.251 , determined from the

titration curve.
p Ka=pH =5.251 at the half-equivalence point
Ka = 10

-pKa

= 10

-5.251

5.6105 x 10

-6

To calculate the average molarity of unknown acid solution

Ka1+ Ka 2+ Ka3

Average Ka

3
5.6105 x 1 0

-6

6.1094 x

-6

+ 4.7315 x 10

-6

5.4838 x 10

-6

3
To calculate percentage error of experiment
Percentage error Experimental valueTheoretical value x 100
Theoreticl value

12

5.4838 x 10

-6

5.3 x 10

5.3 x 10

-6

x 100% = 3.4679 %

-6

To calculate the moles of NaOH that reacted

9.51 mL NaOH x 1 L=0.00951 L NaOH
1000 mL

0.00951 L NaOH x 0.10 mol NaOH =0.000951mol NaOH

1 L NaOH solution

To calculate the moles of unknown acid neutralized by the moles of

0.000951 mol NaOH x 1 mol Uknown acid

NaOH

0.000951 mol NaOH

1 mol NaOH

To calculate the molarity of unknown acid solution

10.0 m L Unknown acid

x1 L

0.01 L Unknown acid

1000 mL

13

M =mol unknown acid 0.000951 mol unknown acid

L solution

0.0951 M

0.01 L solution

0.0951 mol unknown acid

L solution

Unknown acid

To calculate the average molarity of unknown acid solution

Molarity 1+ Molarity 2+ Molarity 3

Average Molarity

3
0.0951 M Unknown acid +

0.0932 M

unknown acid + 0.105 M unknown acid

3
= 0.0977 M

Unknown acid

14

Experiment 2
The pH of a 0.10 M weak acid is 4.20
pH

4.20

= 10

-pH

= 10

-4.20

HA + H

6.3098 x 10

=
O

-5

HA

Initial concentrations

0.10 M

Changeconcentration

0.0 M

6.3098 x 10

+6.3098 x 10

-5

0.0999

+6.3098 x 10

-5

M
+6.3098 x 10

-5

Ka=

0.0 M

+6.3098 x 10

-5

M
Equilibrium concentrations

+A

-5

HA

6.3098 x 10

Ka=

-5

6.3098 x 10

-5

3.9853 x 10

-8

0.0999
To calculate the average Ka of unknown acid solution
Ka1+ Ka 2+ Ka3

Average Ka

3
15

3.9853 x 10

-8

4.7911 x 10

-8

+ 4.5754 x 10

-6

4.4506 x 10

-8

3
To calculate percentage error of experiment
Percentage error Experimental valueTheoretical value x 100
Theoreticl value

4.4506 x 10

-8

5.3 x 10

5.3 x 10

-6

x 100% = 99.16 %

-6

1.9 DISCUSSION
The reaction of acid and base is one of the most common experiments that plays a great
role in the world of chemistry. For acids, Ka values are commonly used. The Ka value is an
indication of acid strength The larger the Ka value, the stronger the acid and vice versa. The Ka
value is a characteristics of an acid and can be used to identify an unknown acid. There were two
part of the experiment in order to find the Ka value of unknown acid, first by the titration of
unknown acid and NaOH. For second part, the pH was directly recorded by using pH meter.
Average Ka obtained for first part of the experiment is 5.4838 x 10 -6 while for the second part of
the experiment, Ka value obtained is 4.4506 x 10-8.
For the first experiment, there was a sudden increase of pH value in NaOH from pH 6.13
to 10.36. During the time when the pH was increased suddenly, the equivalence point in the
titration of unknown and sodium hydroxide NaOH occurred when the moles of unknown acid in
the solution equals to the moles of sodium hydroxide. Hence, the volume obtained at the
equivalence point is 10.51 mL of NaOH. In order to find the volume at half equivalence point,
volume at equivalence point divided by two. The pH value corresponding to 4.755 mL is 5.251,
determined from the titration curve. pKa = pH = 5.251 at the half-equivalence point. Thus,
Ka= 10

pKa

= 10 -5.251 = 5.6105 x 10-6. The second and third titration was conducted similar to

16

titration 1 and the calculated Ka for titration 2 and titration 3 is 6.1094 x 10-6 and 4.7315 x 10-6
respectively.
The molarity of unknown acid obtained for titration 1, titration 2, titration 3 was
0.0951M, 0.0932M, and 0.105M respectively which produce the average molarity unknown acid
of 0.0977M. The unknown acid used for experiment 1 was potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP).
Based on experiment 1, the Ka value obtained was 5.4838 x 10 -6 which is close to Ka value of
KHP based on table 1.1 with the value of 5.3 x 10 -6. The percentage experimental error for first
part of this experiment is 3.6479%.
As the second part of the experiment, 20.0 mL of unknown acid was used in order to
determine the Ka value of the unknown acid. The pH was recorder directly from the pH meter.
The pH value recorder for trial 1, trial 2 and trial 3 are 4.20, 4.16 and 4.17 respectively. For
titration 1, Ka value obtained is 6.3098 x 10 -5. In order to determine the exact Ka value, ICE
table (Initial-Change-Equilibrium concentration) was used. Thus, the Ka value for trial is
3.9853 x 10-8. The same calculation was used in order to find the Ka value for trial 2 and trial 3.
Thus, the average Ka produced for the second part of the experiment is 4.4506 x 10-8.
Based on the Ka value obtained for the second part of the experiment which is
4.4506 x 10-8 the Ka value is closest to Ka value for hypochlorous acid which is
3.5 x 10-8. Unfortunately, the acid used in both of the experiment was KHP. The result obtained
in second part of the experiment contradicts to the acid used. The percentage experimental error
calculated was 99.16%. The error which might contribute to the high percentage error is
probably the pH probe used in this experiment may be dry out or not cleaned properly, hence,
when not in use, it should be soaked in distilled water or a pH 7 buffer.

1.10 CONCLUSION
All acid-base reactions are then competitions between bases of various strengths for these
protons For acids, Ka values are commonly used. The Ka value is an indication of acid strength
The larger the Ka value, the stronger the acid and vice versa. The Ka value is a characteristics of
an acid and can be used to identify an unknown acid. Titration is used to neutralize acid and base
17

until it reach its equivalence point. Then, pH at the half equivalence point is used in order to
calculate the Ka value of the acid. Based on part one of the experiment, it can be concluded that
the molarity of unknown acid solution obtained 0.0977 M. the Ka value obtained was
5.4838 x 10-6 which is close to Ka value of KHP based on table 1.1 with the value of 5.3 x 10 -6.
The percentage experimental error for first part of this experiment is 3.6479%. The value of Ka
in the first experiment contradicts to the second experiment as for second part of the experiment,
Ka value of 4.4506 x 10-8 is closest to Ka value for hypochlorous acid which is
3.5 x 10-8. The determination of weak acid in this experiment cannot be determined because of
high percentage error in part two of the experiment. This high percentage errors were obtained
because of some errors that occurred during the experiment. Recommendations of the
experiment might be followed in order to improve the experiment hence more accurate results
can be obtained.

1.11 RECOMMENDATION
There are some of the recommendations that suggested to improve the experiment in order to get
more precise and accurate value. The recommendations are as follow;
1) Take the reading of pH precisely on the pH meter reading in order to get the accurate
reading of pH. Eye must be parallel and same level to the meniscus in order to avoid
parallex error.
2) Clean the apparatus thoroughly before to avoid the impurities of solution from the
surrounding. For example, the beaker to be cleaned first with distilled water before using
it.
3) The pH probe used in this experiment must not be allowed to dry out, so when not in use,
it should soak in distilled water or a pH 7 buffer.
4) Use phenolphthalein as an indicator in part one of the experiment in order to get more
accurate results.
1.12 REFERENCES/APPENDICES
1. Chang, R., & Goldsby, K.A. (2013). Chemistry, Eleventh Edition. New York:

The

McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

18

2. Determination of the identity of an unknown acid, Retrieved October 17, from

http://apbrwww5.apsu.edu/robertsonr/chem111020/044%20Unknown%20Acid%20Ka
%20MM.pdf
3. Faculty of Chemical Engineering, 2015, Lab Manual for Chemical Engineering
Laboratory: Determination of The Concentration of Acetic Acid in Vinegar. Universiti
Teknologi Mara: Faculty of Chemical Engineering.
4. An acid base titration curve, Retrieved

October

10,

(n.d),

from

http://albachemistry.weebly.com/uploads/8/8/0/4/8804622/9-exp_16b_-_an_acidbase_titration_curve_-_solutions.pdf
5. Alberty, R.A. (1997). Physical Chemistry. (3rd. Ed.) New York: John Wiley.
6. Carbony, G.. (2004).E xperiment with Acids and Bases. Retrieved August 14,
2010, from http: / / www. funsci.com/ fun3_en/ acids/ acids.html

19