Garcia, Krizzi Eve D.
- 3CHEM1
DATE: August 24, 2020
Experiment no. 1
Forming Buffer Solutions
OBJECTIVE(S)
To learn and understand the method of preparing buffer solutions using pH meter
To calculate the amount of the starting materials using the Henderson-Hasselbalch
equation
MATERIALS AND INSTRUMENTS
A. Materials
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, NaH2PO4 · 2H2O
Sodium phosphate dibasic, Na2HPO4
B. Instruments
pH meter
stirring rod
500 mL volumetric flask
Large beaker
PROCEDURE
Figure 1. Schematic diagram for procedure of preparing buffers
A. Mixing. All of the solid compounds were combined in the large beaker. Both the
compounds were added quantitatively by washing the container with distilled water
until the entire amount has been placed.
B. Dissolving. After putting the solids together, it was dissolved using distilled water. It
should be noted that the water used was much less than the volume required for the
buffer which was 60-70% of the total amount of solution required. The solution was
stirred until all solids were dissolved and the solution became clear.
C. Checking of initial pH. The initial pH of the stirred solution was read using the pH
meter which should be calibrated beforehand. After obtaining the reading, the pH was
evaluated to be able to make the necessary adjustments using acid and base reagents.
D. Adjusting the pH. If the initial reading of the pH showed a lower value than the
desired, the pH will be adjusted by gradual addition of 1M of sodium hydroxide while
simultaneously checking the resulting pH. If the resulting pH became higher, the
solution will be added with 1M of hydrochloric acid. The solution should be stirred
vigorously to ensure the added reagents are fully incorporated while checking the pH.
The process was repeated continuously by adding small increments of the reagent
until the desired pH was achieved.
E. Transferring. The solution was carefully transferred into the 500-mL volumetric
flask. The beaker was washed with water and transferred again to the flask. The
resulting solution was diluted to volume using distilled water.
F. Final mixing. After filling the flask up to the mark, the solution was mixed by
securing the flask with a stopper and inverting it approximately 10 times. The final
solution is the buffer solution.
RESULTS
A. The amount of reagents. The pH was evaluated by the pH meter. The amounts of the
reagents were not mentioned on the experiment however; it can be calculated using
the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
A
pH= pKa+log
HA
The chemical equation involved in a phosphate buffer system is Na 2HPO4 + H+
NaH2PO4 + Na+.
Reagents Molecular Formula
NaH2PO4 · 2H2O 156.01 g/mol
Na2HPO4 141.96 g/mol
Table 1. Reagents and their molecular formula
pH of the Buffer 7.00
Concentration of the Buffer (mol/L) 0.100 M
Volume of the Buffer (L) 0.500 L
Table 2. Data on the buffer solution
The Ka value for the NaH2PO4/ Na2HPO4 acid/base conjugate pair is 6.2x10-8. Therefore,
getting the negative log gives the pK a value which is 7.21. This value is an excellent choice for a
buffer system with pH of 7 since it is closer to the desired value. Because the given molarity of
the buffer solution is 0.100 M, the concentrations of the individual components can be calculated
using the equation above.
[A]
7.00=7.21+ log
[HA ]
[ A] 7.00−7.21
=10
[ HA ]
[ A]
=0.617
[ HA ]
Alternatively, the value of [A] then is 0.617[HA] which can be used to substitute the
unknown values in the equation below.
0.100 M =[ A ] + [ HA ]
0.100 M =0.617 [ HA ] + [ HA ]
[ HA ] =Na H 2 PO 4=0.0618 M
For the value of [A] since [HA] = 0.0618 M then,
[ A ] =0.617 [HA]
[ A ] =0.617[0.0618 M]
[ A ] =Na2 H PO 4=0.0381 M
Therefore, the concentrations for NaH2PO4 and Na2HPO4 are 0.0618 M and 0.0381 M
respectively. In order to get the amount of the reagents in grams, each calculated concentration
was multiplied with its molar mass.
mol g
Na H 2 PO 4 ∈grams=0.0618 x 156.01 x 0.500 L=4.82 g Na H 2 PO 4
L mol
mol g
Na2 H PO 4 ∈grams=0.0381 x 141.96 x 0.500 L=2.70 g Na2 H PO 4
L mol
The final calculations yielded the amounts of the compounds in grams. In order to be able
to prepare a buffer solution of pH 7.00 with a volume of 500 mL, the needed amounts of
NaH2PO4 · 2H2O and Na2HPO4 are 4.82 g and 2.70 g respectively.
Overall, the objectives of the experiment were achieved. The Henderson-hasselbalch equation is
a helpful tool for the calculation of pH and the amount of the acid/base conjugate pair needed to
prepare an acid/base conjugate pair.
