EXPERIMENT 2

pH MEASUREMENT

DATE : 3RD NOVEMBER 2020

NAME : ZAKWAN MURSHIDI BIN MOHAMAD RAZIF
MATRIC NO. : 17203845/2
GROUP/OCCURRENCE : F/1
COURSE CODE/TITLE : SIC1004/PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY 1
LECTURER NAME : DR.NORAINI AHMAD

1
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ionization constant of various acids
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Prepare 50% neutralized acid solutions for each of the given acids in the following manner:
(i) Titrate 25 ml of the given acid with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution using
phenolphthalein as indicator.
(ii) Pipette another 25 ml of the same acid into the solution which has been neutralized in
(i).

(Steps (i) and (ii) must be carried our carefully to ensure the success of this
experiment.)

2. Calibrate the pH meter using the two standard buffer solutions with pH values of 4.0 and
7.0 (The calibration only needs to be carried out only once.)

3. Measure the pH of the 50% neutralized acid solution prepared in Step 1.

4. Record the temperature of the solution.

5. Repeat Step 1 to Step 4 (except Step 2) for all the acid solutions to be studied in this
experiment.

RESULT
Observation : For all acid that contained phenolphthalein as the indicator,the colour of the
phenolphthalein indicator changes from pale pink to colourless.
Acid Solutions pH Reading (±0.01) Temperature (0C) (±0.1)
Acetic acid i) 4.01 25.2
ii) 4.02 25.2
Propanoic acid i) 4.46 25.2
ii) 4.45 25.2
Chloroacetic acid i) 2.24 25.2
ii) 2.22 25.2
Dichloroacetic acid i) 1.90 25.2
ii) 1.92 25.2
Trichloroacetic acid i) 1.66 25.2
ii) 1.65 25.2

Table 1 pH and temperature readings of the 50% neutralized acid solutions.

pH Reading Uncertainty
Example:Acetic acid,can also represent propanoic acid and trichloroacetic acid
2
 4.02+4.01
x= =8.015
2

σ =√ ∑
2
( x −x) i

√ n−1

=
√(4.02−4.015) + ( 4.01−4.015 ) 2 2

√ 2−1

= √(0.0 05) + (−0.0 05 )

2 2

1
0.0 071
=
1
= 0.0071

2σ 2(0.0 071)
= =0.0071≈ 0.01
n 2
Uncertainty of pH reading =±0.01
As for chloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid
2.24+2.22
x= =2.23
2

σ= √(∑ x −x)
i
2

√ n−1

=
√(2.24−2.23) + ( 2.22−2.23 )2 2

√2−1

=√
2 2
(0. 01) + (−0. 01 )
1
0.0 141
=
1
= 0.0141

2σ 2(0.0 071)
= =0.0141≈ 0.01
n 2
Therefore,the uncertainty of pH reading are still ± 0.01

3
pH=pKa in 50% neutralised acid solution

Let the equation to determine the pH be the Henderson-Hasselbach equation which is

[ Conjugate base ]
pH = p K a +log
[ Weak acid ]
And let’s use 0.1 M acetic acid as an example,can also be used

Reaction
CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) → CH3COONa (aq) + H2O (aq)

Salt dissociation
CH3COONa (aq) → CH3COO- (aq) + Na+(aq)

Hydrolysis
CH3COO- (aq) + H2O (aq) ↔ CH3COOH (aq) + OH-(aq)
pH and pKa will have the same value when there are equal concentration between the conjugate
base and conjugate acid

[ CH 3COONa ]
As pH = p K a +log
[ CH 3 COOH ]
As CH3COONa and CH3COOH are the same concentration,the ratio will be equal to 1,therefore the
logarithm is equal to zero.

Therefore=pH=pKa

To calculate Ka therefore

pH=pKa

pH=−log K a

Ka = 10-pH

Acid pH value (±0.01) Ka (×10-5) Temperature (oC)

(±0.01)
Acetic acid 4.015 9.66 25.2
Propanoic acid 4.455 3.51 25.2
Chloroacetic acid 2.230 5.89×102 25.2
Dichloroacetic acid 1.910 1.23×103 25.2
Trichloroacetic acid 1.655 2.24×103 25.2

The strength of acid in ascending order

4
Propanoic acid<Acetic acid<Chloroacetic acid<Dichloroacetic acid<Trichloroacetic acid

DISCUSSION
The outcome of the experiment is that trichloroacetic acid have the lowest pH and highest pKa
compared to dichloroacetic acid,chloroacetic acid,acetic acid and propanoic acid.
The reason why acetic acid are more acidic compared to propanoic acid is because that the
strength of carboxylic acids depends on the molecular weight of their respective carboxylic
acids.As propanoic acid (C2H5COOH) are bigger compared to acetic acid (CH3COOH),the acidity
of propanoic acid are lesser than that of an acetic acid molecule.
For the likes of trichloroacetic acid,dichloroacetic acid and chloroacetic acid,as the name
suggests,trichloroacetic acid have three chlorine atom that replace hydrogen atoms in the acetic
acid bond,dichloroacetic acid have two chlorine atoms replacing hydrogen atoms and chloroacetic
acid have only one hydrogen atom replaced with chlorine atom.
When hydrogen atom in acetic acid are changed with chlorine or halogen atom,the ionisation
constant Ka increases.This is due to chloro (-Cl) groups cause inductive effect (-I).because it’s a
withdrawing group due to chloro group is more electronegative than carbon to which it is attach. -Cl
groups pulls the bonded electrons from carbon and carbon inturn pulls the electron pair from
hydrogen of -COOH group causing more electron deficiency on hydrogen. hydrogen becomes
more partially positive hence more acidic.When the number of chloro group attached to carboxylic
chain,the chain will become more polar thus more acidic.

As Ka is inversely proportional to the pH,the pH decreases which in turn make the acid more acidic.
Source of errors
1. Burette and other apparatus are not cleaned with deionized water thoroughly and
frequently.This will expose the solution with foreign materials which may affect the pH value
of the substance.

2. Improper handling of pH meter such as wiping the pH meter calibrator abrasively will affect
the accuracy of the reading.Not cleaning the calibrator with deionized water or not cleaning
the calibrator enough too will affect its reading as the foreign substance present on the
calibrator will affect the accuracy of the reading.

3. Over or under preparation of NaOH solution may affect the physical quantity such as
concentration and volume will also affect the pH reading
Precaution steps
1. Make sure to get rid of any air bubble from burette before starting the titration process of
NaOH solution.

2. Not be complacent when preparing the NaOH solution before titration

3. Wear safety goggles when handling chemicals

4. Clean pH meter calibrator with deionized water before taking the reading of 50%
neutralised solution.
5
 5. Apparatus that are used for this experiment have to be cleaned thoroughly with deionized
water before and after usage.

CONCLUSION
The ionization constant of acetic acid is 9.66×10-5,propanoic acid is 3.51×10-5,chloroacetic acid is
5.89×10-3,dichloroacetic acid is 1.23×10-2 and trichloroacetic acid is 2.24×10-2
REFERENCE
Michael Lok,Diagrams Chemistry for Matriculation Semester 2,pg 175-191
Michael Lok,Diagrams Chemistry for Matriculation Semester 1,pg 179-219
Prof Madya Dr Norbani Abdullah,Dr Hazar Bebe Mohd Ismail,Comprehensive College Chemistry
Upgraded,pg 567-590