Lab Report 1
Lab Report 1
Title – Titration of anions of week acids (Bronsted bases) with strong acid
(Determination of the concentration of Na2CO3 with 0.04 M HCl)
Theory -
The objective of this experiment was to determine the concentration of Na 2CO3 (sodium
carbonate) in a solution using titration with a strong acid, 0.04 M HCl. The hydrolysis of
anions of weak acids and the use of indicators, phenolphthalein and methyl orange,
were employed to identify the endpoints of the titration. Sodium carbonate is a weak
base that can react with a strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), in a one-to-one
stoichiometric ratio. By calculating the amount of HCl required to neutralize the sodium
carbonate solution, the concentration of the latter could be determined.
In this experiment, the anions of weak acids, which act as Bronsted bases, were titrated
with a strong acid. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), dissociates in water to form sodium ions
(Na+) and carbonate ions (CO32-).
Anions of weak acids produce OH- ions due to hydrolysis and hence can be titrated
using strong acids.
Indicator Color on acidic side Range of color change Color on basic side
(pH)
Methyl Orange Red 3.1 – 4.4 Yellow
Methyl Red Red 4.4 – 6.3 Yellow
Phenolphthalein Colorless 8.3 – 10.0 Pink
Bromocresol green Blue 3.8 – 5.4 Yellow
Thymolphthalein Colorless 9.3 – 10.5 Blue
RESULTS