Experiment 4: Ionic Equilibria

Karen Mae M. Argonza, Richanela G. Flores, Dianne Clarice Lasian

Group 4, Chem 18.1, MAB1, Mr. Marvin Pelovello
September 17, 2015
I. Abstract
This experiment deals with the study of ionic equilibrium, the dissociation of acids and bases in a solution. Its
rate is defined by the ionization or dissociation constant, K. In the first part of the experiment, using a pH paper, the pH of
different unknown solutions were determined. Solutions with pH < 7 are considered as acids, those with pH = 7 are neutral
and those with pH > 7 are bases. The solutions conductivity were also tested by dipping an electrode to the solution.
When it lit brightly, it means it is a good conductor and vice-versa. The solutions were then classified as neutral, strong or
weak acids or bases, or whether they are salts based on the acquired pH value.
In the second part, the ionization constant, K a, of acetic acid was determined using two test tubes, one containing
1.1 mL 1M acetic acid and a drop of methyl red, and the other one with distilled water, methyl red and 0.01M hydrochloric
acid. HCl was added dropwise to the latter until the color of the solution matches that of HOAc. The volume of the HCl
was then used to determine the concentration of hydronium ions in the acetic acid solution so that the ionization constant,
Ka may be obtained, which in this experiment has a value of 1.7025 x 10 -5.
For the last part, the solubility product constant of calcium hydroxide was determined by titrating it with HCl. The
indicator is two drops of phenolphthalein and it is to be titrated to a light pink end point. The volume of HCl used was then
used to obtain the solubility product constant of calcium hydroxide or K sp, which has a value of 2.97 x 10 -5 M in this
experiment.`
Ionic equilibrium plays a role in numerous natural phenomena and affects the methods used to produce many
important industrial chemicals. The use of indicators other than pH paper is recommended for more accurate
measurements of the pH of the solutions in part A. Lighting of the room is a factor in interpreting the color using pH paper
since it is dependent on the eyesight of the observer.
II. Keywords Ionic equilibrium, electrolyte, ionization constant, solubility, solubility product constant
III. Introduction
The pH scale is a scale in which an aqueous
solution with an equal amount of hydronium and
hydroxide ions serves as the neutral value on a 0-14
scale, where it is seven. Acids are substances that have a
pH less than seven while bases have a pH greater than
7. Acids also dissociate in water to yield hydronium ions
while bases dissociate to form hydroxide ions. When
these substances fully ionize in water to form H 3O+ and
OH-, they are considered strong and if not, they are weak.
(Petrucci, 2011) The pH in this experiment is determined
using pH paper, which has color-changing indicators that
adjust based on the concentrations of ions (Kain Escobar,
n.d.).
Electrolytes are substances that, when dissolved
in water, results in a solution that can conduct electricity
(Chang, 2007) Strong electrolytes such as salts, strong
acids and strong bases, are assumed to dissociate fully
into ions in the solution. To know if an aqueous solution is
a strong electrolyte, electrolyte or non-electrolyte, a
conductivity test is often used (Chang, 2007). The
solution is made to be a conductor to an electric current
and the result is based on the brightness of the lightbulb.
Ionic equilibrium is the dissociation of slightly
soluble ionic compounds such as acids and bases in an
aqueous solution. Its rate is defined by the ionization or
dissociation constant, Ksp. (Silberberg, 2010). The
ionization or dissociation constant, K, is the measure of
how far the reaction goes forward for acids and bases.

Chem 18.1 Ionic Equilibria

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In the dissociation of acid, this ionic reaction

applies,
HA(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)
and the equilibrium constant is given by the expression,
Ka = [H3O+][ A-]/[HA]
In the dissociation of base, this ionic reaction
applies,
A-(aq) + H2O(l) HA(aq) + OH-(aq)
and the equilibrium constant is given by the expression,
Kb = [HA][OH-]/[A-]
When an ionic solid is placed in pure water, the
dissolution will come at a relatively rapid initial rate. As
the concentration of dissolved ions increases, so does the
rate of formation. At a certain time, the rate of formation
will be equal to the rate of dissolution, and there will be a
state of equilibrium and saturation of solution. At this
equilibrium, there will be no net dissolution of the solute. If
more solute is added to the solution, no solute will be
dissolved.
The presence of the solute in the solution has no
effect on the equilibrium concentrations of ions in the
saturated solution. Thus, the equilibrium constant
expression for the equation does not include a term
referring to the solid. The solubility product constant, K sp,
is the measure of how far the dissolution goes forward to
reach equilibrium. It is obtained from the product of the
molar concentration of the ions in solution each raised to
a power equal to its coefficient in the equilibrium
equation. The value of the Ksp indicates the solubility of a
solute. It is also important in the prediction of precipitation
of compounds. For the reaction,

AB2 A2+ + 2BThe solubility product constant is defined then as,

Ksp = [A2+][B-]2
IV. Experimental
For the first part of the experiment, seven
unknown solutions provided by the instructor were tested
with pH paper and a conductivity test to determine their
pH and if they were strong, weak or non-electrolytes.
They were then categorized as strong or weak
acids/bases.

pH less than 7 is acidic while a pH greater than 7 is

basic. Moreover, a solution can be classified as a strong
acid if its pH value is less than 3. Consequently, a pH
greater than 12 is a strong base. Using the pH value and
conductivity of the solutions, it is possible to know the
unknown compound from the list of possible compounds.
Figure 1 Resulting pH papers when dipped in the solutions
separately

For Part B of the experiment, the ionization

constant of acetic acid was determined by comparing two
setups in test tubes. The first 5 mL test tube was to be
filled with 1.1 mL of 1 M acetic acid and a drop of methyl
violet served as the indicator. The other test tube was
filled with 1.0 mL of distilled water and a drop of methyl
violet. 0.1 M HCl was added dropwise to the second
setup until the color of the solution matched that of the
first. The volume of the HCl is used to determine the
ionization constant of HOAc.
For Part C of the experiment, benzoic acid and
sodium hydroxide in the manual were replaced with
calcium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. To start, 50 mL
of distilled water was heated to 40C and a pinch of
Ca(OH)2 was added until they no longer dissolve. The
solution was stirred and left to cool before being filtered
into another beaker. Ten mL of the solution was obtained
using a pipet and placed in a 50 mL Erlenmeyer flask
along with two drops of phenolphthalein. It is then titrated
with 0.1 M HCl to a light pink endpoint. The volume of HCl
is used to obtain the Ksp.

Figure 2 Hard cover of the pH paper, used as basis for

determination of the pH

V. Results
A. Strong and Weak Electrolytes
Table 1 Classification of the Unknown Solutions based on the
observed pH

Solu Observe Conductivit Classificatio Unknown

d pH
y
n
compoun
tion
d
A

12

good

strong base

NaOH

good

strong acid

HCl

good

neutral

NaCl

B. Ionization Constant of Acetic Acid

Table 2 Values used to determine the experimental ionization
constant of HOAc

Volume of HCl used

0.7mL

[H3O+] in HCl solution

4.12 x 10-3 M

[H3O+] in HOAc solution

4.12 x 10-3 M

good

basic salt

NaOAc

good

acidic salt

NH4Cl

Equilibrium concentration for HOAc

solution

0.996 M

weak

weak base

NH4OH

Ka of HOAc

1.7025 x 10-5

weak

weak acid

HOAc

The table shows the different pH value and

conductivity of the unknown solutions obtained using pH
paper and conductivity test respectively. These solutions
are then be classified if it is a base, acid or neutral. A
solution having a pH equal to 7 is said to be neutral. A
Chem 18.1 Ionic Equilibria

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The volume of HCl used was 0.7 mL. Through

the equation, M1V1=M2V2 the concentration of H3O+ was
determined.
M1V1=M2V2
(0.7mL) (0.01M) = M2 (1mL+0.7mL)
M2 = 4.12 x 10-3 M

Since the concentration of H 3O+ in HCl is equal

to the H3O+ in HOAc then the value will also be 4.12 x 10 3
M. This is due to the assumption that when the two
compounds were of the same color, their pH value is
equal thus indicating that the H3O+ concentration of HCl
and of HOAc is equal.
Figure 3 The test tubes containing the solutions that already
has a matching color, light reddish pink

Table 3. Summary of significant values used to determine the

solubility product constant of calcium hydroxide

Volume of 0.1M HCl used

3.9mL

Solubility of calcium hydroxide

0.0195 M

[OH-] in calcium hydroxide solution

0.039 M

[Ca2+] in calcium hydroxide solution

0.0195 M

Calculated Ksp of calcium hydroxide

2.97 x 10-5 M

The volume of HCl was obtained during titration.

This value was used to calculate the concentration of the
base, Ca(OH)2 in the solution being neutralized. This
value became useful in calculating the solubility product
constant Ksp of calcium hydroxide.
To calculate for the solubility product constant of
calcium hydroxide, its equation for the ionization in
aqueous solution was determined first. The ionization
reaction of Ca(OH)2 can be expressed as:
The equilibrium concentration of HOAc solution
is denoted by 1M - 4.12 x 10-3 M which has a value of
0.99588 M.
The equation for the ionization of HOAc in
aqueous solution is CH3COOH + H2O H3O+ + OAc(aq) -.
With the use of the equation, the Ka of HOAc was
determined.

OAc

H
3
O
+
Ka =

H 3 O+

3 2

[4.12 x 10 ]
[0.99588]

Ka=1.7025 x 10-5
Theoretical value: 1.8 x 10-5
Percent Error =

theoretical experimental
x 100
theoretical

1.8 x 1051.7025 x 105

x 100
1.8 x 105

Ca(OH)2(s) Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)

Therefore, the Ksp of this ionization reaction can be
expressed as:
Ksp.= [Ca2+] [OH-]2
However, the values of concentrations should be solved
first in order to get the Ksp using the equation
MacidVacid=MbaseVbase
Using the volume of the titrant 0.1M HCl, the
concentration of OH- in Ca2+ solution was determined.
MacidVacid=MbaseVbase
Macid (10mL) = (0.1 M)(3.9mL)
Macid = 0.039 M = [OH-]
[Ca2+] = [OH-]
[Ca2+] = 0.0195 M
In solving the solubility product constant (K sp)
which is equal to the product of the molar concentrations
of the constituent ions, each raised to the power of its
stoichiometric coefficient in the equilibrium equation.
Since the value of the molar concentrations of the ions
are already solved, they are simply applied to the formula
and because Ca2+ has a coefficient of 1 and [OH-] has a
coefficient of 2 in the equation, they are raised to a power
of 1 and 2 respectively. Calculating for the solubilityproduct constant,
Ksp of Calcium hydroxide:
Ksp= [Ca2+] [OH-]2
= (0.0195 M)(0.039 M)2
Ksp = 2.97 x 10-5 M
The Ksp value obtained in this experiment is 2.97
x 10-5 M but theoretically, the value must be 6.4105M.
Percent Error =

5.42%

C. Solubility Product
Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2
Chem 18.1 Ionic Equilibria

Constant

of

Calcium
Page 3 of 5

theoretical experimental
x 100
theoretical

 6.4 x 1052.97 x 105

x 100
6.4 x 105
=

53.59%

VI. Discussion
The pH, or the power of Hydrogen, is used to
determine whether a substance is a strong or a weak acid
or base, or a salt. It is described as the -log[H 3O+], or the
measure of H3O+ ions present in the substance. The pH is
identified through acid-base indicators.
Table 4 Acid and base classification

pH level

Classification

1-3

Strong Acid

4-6

Weak Acid

Less than 7

Acidic Salt

Neutral Salt

Greater than 7

Basic Salt

8-11

Weak Base

12-14

Strong Base

Electrolytes are defined as substances that have

positive and negative ions that are capable of producing
electricity due to the flow of the said charges. Basically,
these are aqueous solutions. There are two types of
electrolytes, the strong and the weak. The strong
electrolytes are substances that completely ionize and
produce electricity. Strong acids, strong bases and salts
are categorized as strong electrolytes. On the other hand,
weak electrolytes are substances that do not completely
dissociate to ions. These weak electrolytes could not
produce enough electricity relative to the capability of
strong electrolytes. Weak acids and weak bases are weak
electrolytes. When acids and bases react, salts are
produced. Acidic salts are salts produced in the
neutralization of strong acids and weak bases. Basic salts
are those produced in the neutralization of weak acids
and strong bases. When strong acids and strong bases
react, they produce a neutral one. (Engle & Ilao, 2007)
For solution A with a pH of 12 and a good
conductivity, it is classified as strong base, that based on
the list is NaOH. For solution B with a pH of 2 and a good
conductivity, it is classified as strong acid, that based on
the list is HCl.
For solution C with a pH of 7 and a good
conductivity, it is classified as neutral, that based on the
list is NaCl. It is the combination of NaOH, a strong base,
and HCl, a strong acid. For solution D with a pH of 8 and
a good conductivity, it is classified as a basic salt, that
based on the list is NaOAc. It is the combination of
NaOH, a strong base, and HOAc, a weak acid. For
solution E with a pH of 2 and a good conductivity, it is
Chem 18.1 Ionic Equilibria

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classified as acidic salt, that based on the list is NH 4Cl. It

is the combination of NH 4OH, a weak base, and HCl, a
strong acid.
For solution F with a pH of 8 and a weak
conductivity, it is classified as weak base, that based on
the list is NH4OH.For solution G with a pH of 4 and a
weak conductivity, it is classified as a weak acid, that
based on the list is HOAc.
The ionization or dissociation constant K defines
the rate of ionic equilibrium. The second part of the
experiment aims to determine the K a of acetic acid. The
equation for the ionization of HOAc in aqueous solution
is CH3COOH + H2O H3O+ + OAc(aq) -. With the use of

OAc

the equation, Ka = H 3 O+ the Ka of HOAc was

determined, that is 1.7205 x 10-5.

Theoretically it must be 1.8 x 10 -5 thats why
there is 5.42% error. This error might be cause by the
false assumption that the color of the solutions already
matched each other even though it is not. Thus, there
maybe over addition or lack of HCl that must be used in
the solution.
The third objective of this experiment is to
determine the solubility product constant of calcium
hydroxide. Solubility product constants are used to
describe saturated solutions of ionic compounds of
relatively low solubility. A saturated solution is in a state
of dynamic equilibrium between the dissolved,
dissociated, ionic compound and the undissolved solid.
For, MxAy(s) --> x My+(aq) + y Ax-(aq), the general equilibrium
constant for such processes can be written as: K c =
[My+]x[Ax-]y. (Chang, 2005)
A mixture of 10 mL of Ca(OH) 2 and two drops of
phenolphthalein is titrated with 0.1M HCl to a light-pink
endpoint. The volume of the 0.1M HCl used was noted.
The significance of the use of phenolphthalein in this
part of the experiment is to indicate the equivalence
point. At this equivalence point, the amount of base
added is chemically equal to the amount of acid present.
Chemically equal means that the number of molecules of
the added base is adequate for the complete reaction of
all the molecules of acid present initially so that all the
acid molecules are consumed (Silberberg, 2007). The
Ksp obtained is 2.97 x 10-5 M but theoretically, it must be
6.4105M, thats why there is 53.59% error. The percent
error might be caused by under or over titration, thus the
HCl used might be less than or more than enough.
VII. Conclusion and Recommendations
Unknown solutions can be classified as acid,
neutral or base based on its pH value. Solutions with pH
lower than 7 are considered as acids, those with pH equal
to 7 are neutral and those with pH greater than 7 are
bases.
Electrolytes can be classified into two types:
strong electrolytes and weak electrolytes. Strong

electrolytes, salts, strong acids and bases, dissociate

completely into ions and create a large current. Whereas
weak electrolytes, weak acids and bases, dissociate
partially and mostly exist as molecules in a solution
(Chang, 2005).
The equilibrium-constant for the ionization of
an acid (Ka) is used to express the degree to which a
weak acid ionizes. Ka gives a measure of the equilibrium
position meaning if Ka is large, the products of the
dissociation reaction are preferred. If K a is small,
undissociated acid is preferred. Ka also provides a
measure of the strength of an acid meaning if K a is large,
the acid is largely dissociated thereby, the acid is strong.
If Ka is small, very little of the acid is dissociated thereby,
the acid is weak.
The solubility-product constant (Ksp) is used
to express how soluble the undissolved solute is in water,
where sp stands for solubility product. In general, the
solubility product of a compound is the product of molar
concentrations of ions raised to the power of their
respective stoichiometric coefficients in the equilibrium
reaction. Ksp explains that the higher the concentrations of
ions, greater Ksp. Higher concentrations of ions means
greater the solubility of the salt. Thus, the solubility of the
salt in water depends on the magnitude of K sp (Silberberg,
2007).
The use of indicators other than pH paper is
recommended for more accurate measurements of the
pH of the solutions in part A. Lighting of the room is a
factor in interpreting the color using pH paper since it is
dependent on the eyesight of the observer. More trials

Chem 18.1 Ionic Equilibria

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for the acid-base titration to obtain more accurate results

in part B. Also, measurements should be exact as
possible to achieve more precise results. The indicator
to be used can also be changed to bromothyl blue
instead of phenolphthalein which has a pH range of
about 8-10.
VIII. References
Chang, R. (2005). Chemistry, Eighth Edition.
Singapore: McGraw-Hill.
Petrucci, R. (2011). General Chemistry: Principles
and Modern Applications, 10th ed. Toronto: Pearson
Canada.
Engle, H. & Ilao, L. (2007). Learning Modules in
General Chemistry 2. Chemistry Unit, DPSM, CAS,
UPM.
Silberberg, Martin S. (2007) Principles of General
Chemistry, Second Edition. McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc. New York.
I hereby certify that I have given substantial contribution
to this report.
Karen Mae M. Argonza
Richanela G. Flores
Dianne Clarice Lasian