Chm256 Tutorial 4-Answer
Chm256 Tutorial 4-Answer
3. Briefly describe the ‘wet digestion’ techniques and give two examples of reagent used in
this technique.
Wet Digestion Techniques
A method use to decompose or eliminate an organic material by treatment with
strong liquid oxidizing agents or mixture of acids. The acids oxidize organic
matter to CO2, H2O and other volatile products, which are driven off, leaving
behind inorganic constituents without losing element to be determined.
PROCESS:
The technique will performed in Kjedahl flask, and undergo in a fume hood.
The sample will treat with acid digestion to achieve a complete dissolution.
(mixture of H2SO4 (small amount) and HNO3,(large amount) )
HNO3 will destroys the bulk of organic matter, but not destroy the last traces.
During acid digestion process, the solution is boiled off and white SO3 fumes
evolve, until H2SO4 remains and dense and destroy the remaining organic matter.
The digestion is continued until producing clear solution.
Reagent used: Mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3 or mixture of HCl and HNO3
4. Give two examples of primary standard and list the properties of primary standard.
Na2CO3 solution (Sodium carbonate)
KHC8H4O4 solution (Potassium hydrogen phthalate)
5. If a water sample is to be analyzed for trace levels of metals, briefly explain why a
glass container for sampling and storage is inappropriate.
Metal will undergo retention on a glass container
Metal will react with the vessel or walls of the glass container, this will cause
contamination of the sample and loss of analytes that want to be analyzed
6. Explain briefly the preparation of 250 mL 10% (w/v) of Ca (NO3)2 in the laboratory.
8. An analyst wants to know the level of pesticide residue on the leaves of tobacco plants
grown in 100 m2 plot of land. Describe the correct sampling procedure that should be
carried out.
Obtain the representative sample of the leaves of tobacco plants grown in 100 m2
plot of land
Take a gross sample of the leaves of tobacco plant by taking 1/50 to 1/100 of the
total leaves of tobacco plant in a 100 m2 plot of land
Reduce the gross sample until obtain laboratory samples by using coning and
quartering method
9. A river water samples was collected a week before it was analyzed for a trace level of
metals. Discuss the problem encountered during storage of the sample and ways to
overcome the problem.
Problems:
Loss of water from hygroscopic material
Loss of volatile analytes from water samples
Precipitation of metals from water sample
Decomposition of sample
Sample can be contaminated by foreign matter
Side chain reaction and reaction of sample between wall of container occurred
may change the properties of sample
To overcome:
The sample kept in bottles with stoppers
The bottles or container should be clean and free from impurities
Avoid using glass container
10. Primary standard sodium carbonate solutions containing 0.25 g of Na2CO3 required
30.50 mL of hydrochloric acid solution for standardization of HCl. Identify the titrant and
primary standard and then calculate the molarity of the HCl solution. (molar mass
Na2CO3 = 106 g/mol)
Titrant: HCl, Primary standard: Na2CO3
Balance equation: Na2CO3 + 2HCl 2NaCl + CO2 + H2O