D. Gevaa/ Chemistry 26.

1 Page | 1
(2017)
COMMON ION EFFECT AND BUFFERS
D. Gevaa1
1
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines, Diliman,
Quezon City 1101
Performed 08 February 2017; Submitted 15 February 2017

Methodology

Results and Discussion

Answers to Questions

1. Account for the differences in color of Solutions 1 and 2 after adding methyl orange
indicator.
Methyl orange indicator is a pH indicator that is used to test if a solution is acidic. Red
indicates a pH range of less than 3.1 and as pH rises, it turns yellow [5]. The difference in
color of solution 1 (CH3COOH) and solution 2 (CH3COOH + NaCH3COO) is accounted for its
composition. Naturally, solution 1 would appear redder as compared to solution 2 which
appeared yellow as the former is an acid, therefore would be expected to have a lower
pH. Sodium acetate is the conjugate base of acetic acid and as both are mixed, naturally
solution 2 would have a higher pH as compared to pure acetic acid therefore exuding a
yellow color upon addition of methyl orange [3].

2. Account for the differences in color of Solutions 3 and 4 after adding phenolphthalein
indicator.
Phenolphthalein is a pH indicator used to test basicity of solutions. In solution 1, it
contains NH3, a weak base. Therefore it excluded an intense pink color [5]. However, in
solution 4, NH3 was added with NH4Cl. NH4Cl is formed from the reaction of a weak base
and strong acid. NH4Cl therefore is the conjugate acid of NH 3 which therefore explains
why solution 4 has a paler pink color compared to solution 3. Therefore solution 4 is
expected to have a lower pH compared to solution 3, due to the presence of an acid [3].

3. Which causes a larger change in pH, addition of 3 drops of 1.0 M HCl (or 3 drops of 1.0
M NaOH) to Solution 1, 2, 3, or 4? Explain.

The difference upon adding 3 drops of NaOH or HCl may be seen in buffer solutions such
as solutions 2 and 4. Say in solution 2 which is a mixture of acetic acid and its conjugate
base, sodium acetate-- if there is a greater amount of acetic acid than sodium acetate, it
will have a greater buffering capacity against added NaOH than HCl, and this happens
vice versa when there is more sodium acetate than acetic acid. This also happens in
solution 4 which is a mixture of NH3 and its conjugate acid NH4Cl [3].

4. Compare the different methods of determining pH: visual indicators, pH meter, and
calculations. Compare the accuracy of the three methods employed.

Visual indicators, such as acid-base indicators, make use of natural dyes that exist as
weak acid in estimating the pH range of a solution [3]. In estimating the pH range of a
solution, the color that is seen is the result after the solution has reached equilibrium.
Specific indicator dyes are used to determine basic, acidic and universal solutions [1]. pH
meters are highly sensitive instruments for potentiometric and pH measurements [3].
Calculating for the theoretical pH is one mean of predicting or measuring the pH of a
certain substance.

When comparing the accuracy of the three methods employed, using the pH meter is the
most efficient in measuring the pH of a substance because it gives the observer a
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numerical value of up to four decimal places of the pH he or she needs. However, the
preparation and proper maintenance in using a pH meter is tedious, and there are a lot of
considerations to be made to ensure accuracy of data and to avoid erroneous values.
Moreover, it is an expensive device. Using pH indicators is not efficient enough in
measuring a substances pH as it only gives a pH range. Calculating for the theoretical
pH is not efficient as well since this is only a hypothetical value, not the actual pH value.

5. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the calculated parameters?
Rationalize.
Any crystals in the reference component of a combination electrode can cause
problems by clogging the junction. This may lead to erroneous values during the
measuring of the pH of the samples.
When the pH meter is not calibrated properly before measuring the pH of the
samples. In reality, the electrode might produce results that are slightly different from
the theoretical behavior. Calibration of the pH meter compensates for this by
determining the actual slope and offset of the electrode by using buffer solutions and
updating the settings (buffer control and slope control) of the pH meter accordingly
[2].
Wiping the sensing glass of the electrode. In doing so, the activity can produce a
static charge. The static charge interferes with the voltage reading of the electrode
[2]. Simply blotting the end of the probe with a tissue or cloth will remove droplets
without affecting the electrodes sensitivity.
The electrode is not rinsed with distilled water in between each measurement.
Deposits may form on the electrode coat and thus as a result, the pH meter will be
measuring the deposits and the sample, rather than just the sample. This may lead to
contamination of solutions and inaccurate results.
Inadequate probe submersion may lead to erroneous values. The probe must be
completely submerged in the solution in order to properly function.
The pH meter must be stored in a room within its specified temperature range. During
the experiment, the room in which the pH meter was stored in was relatively hot. This
can affect several equilibria giving rise to complicated measurement errors.

References
[1] Brunning, Andy. "The Colours & Chemistry of PH Indicators." Compound Interest. N.p.,
13 May 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.
[2] "PH Meters and Their Electrodes: Calibration, Maintenance and Use." PH Meters and
Their Electrodes: Calibration, Maintenance and Use (n.d.): n. pag. IBMS. Institute of
Biomedical Science, Apr. 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.
[3] Institute of Chemistry. Chem 26.1: Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Manual. University
of the Philippines Diliman. 2017. Print.
[4] Instruments, Hanna. "Top 10 Mistakes in PH Measurement." Hanna Instruments Blog.
Hanna Instruments, 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.
[5] Skoog, Douglas A., Donald M. West, F. James. Holler, and Stanley R. Crouch.
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry. 9th ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning,
2013. Print.