A2 Experiment 13.

3(2)

Students Sheet

TITRATING SODIUM CARBONATE WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Introduction Sodium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid in two stages. STAGE 1 STAGE 2 Na2CO3 NaHCO3 + + + HCl HCl NaCl NaCl 2NaCl + + + NaHCO3 CO2 CO2 + + H2O H2O

The overall reaction is Na2CO3

2HCl

The end points for the two stages can be found using suitable indicators. The reaction can also be followed using a pH meter. Indicator Method 1) Use a graduated pipette and safety filler to put 20.0cm3 of approximately 0.1M sodium carbonate solution into a small conical flask. 2) Add 4 drops of phenolphthalein indicator. The solution should be purple-pink. 3) Titrate with 0.2M HCl from a burette until the last traces of pale pink colour have disappeared. Note down the volume of acid used. 4) Add 4 drops of methyl orange. The solution should be a yellow colour. 5) Continue to add acid from the burette until the solution turns orange-red. Note down the final volume of acid used. 6) Repeat steps 1) to 5) to get an accurate measurement of the two end points. pH Method 1) Prepare a piece of graph paper for a pH titration. The y-axis is for pH and the x-axis is for the volume of 0.2M HCl added (go up to 25cm3). Alternatively prepare a table to record your results. 2) Use a graduated pipette and safety filler to put 20.0cm3 of the 0.1M sodium carbonate solution into a small 100cm3 beaker. 3) Check your pH meter against the standard buffer solution, then rinse it well in distilled water. 4) Take the pH of the sodium carbonate solution and plot it on your graph or record it in your table. 5) Add 1.0cm3 of the 0.2M HCl from the burette. Mix the solution well with the pH meter and record or plot the reading. 6) Continue to add the acid from the burette 1.0cm 3 at a time until you approach the Stage 1 end point (given by your indicator titration). Now add the acid 0.2cm 3 at a time until you have passed the end point. After each addition of acid, mix the solution well with the pH meter and record or plot the reading. 7) Once you have passed the first stage, go back to adding 1.0cm3 of acid at a time until you approach the second end point. Add the acid 0.2cm3 at a time until you have passed the second end point. Add 1.0cm3 of acid at a time until you have added a total of 25cm3. 8) Rinse the pH meter, switch it off and replace it in its receptacle. Wash out the burette with distilled water and replace it in the rack upside-down with the tap open. Empty and clear away all the other apparatus.

A2 Experiment 13.3(2)

Teachers Guide

TITRATING SODIUM CARBONATE WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Teachers Notes The double end-point titration curve is incorporated in the AQA A2 specification. The method works well. Below are some results of a previous experiment. RESULTS The results from a class experiment done on October 14th 1998 are as follows:Indicator Titration VOLUME OF 0.2M HCl ADDED (cm3) Stage 1 Stage 2 (phenolphthalein) (methyl orange) 9.50 18.90 9.40 18.80 9.45 18.85

TITRATION 1 2 Average pH Titration

This can be done as demonstration. The attached graph shows the two end points clearly. The indicator ranges are also marked on the graph. The volumes of HCl required for each stage are shown on the graph. They are 9.4cm3 for Stage 1 and 18.8cm3 for Stage 2, which are in very good agreement with the indicator results. COMMENTS ON THE EXPERIMENT This is a good way of showing a two-stage reaction and of emphasising the need for an indicator to change colour at the right pH for an end-point. The graph could also be used to give an estimate of the pKa value for HCO3-. Using the half neutralisation volume of HCl from the Stage 1 end point (= 4.7cm3 in this case), the pH value is 10.1 (Data Book value for pKa is 10.3). Safety The students are using alkali and should wear goggles Technicians Please supply 0.1M Na2CO3(aq) 50cm3 each 0.1M HCl(aq) each 50cm3 each Phenolphthalein and Methyl Orange 4 bottles A pH meter 1 per pair PH 7 buffer 20cm3 safety pipette + filler white tile