VIAJE, Christi Gail J.

Experiment 8: Titration of Acetic Acid in Vinegar

32 A
4 November 2016

ABSTRACT
Titration of solutions is commonly used to determine the unknown concentration of a
solution, which is also called an analyte. This analyte reacts with a titrant of a solution with a
known concentration. An endpoint, or equivalence point is then reached when the titrant, and the
analyte completely react with each other. The objective of this experiment is to determine the
concentration of acetic acid in vinegar, and to calculate for the percent mass of the commercial
vinegar used. The molarity, or concentration of CH3COO acquired is 0.373 M CH3COOH on
average, and the mean percent mass of vinegar is 4.44%.
INTRODUCTION
Titration is a common laboratory technique of quantitative chemical analysis that is used to
determine the concentration of an unknown solution (analyte). This is accomplished with the
usage of a solution with a known concentration (titrant). The reaction of the reagents are then
measured to determine the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar. In this experiment, Sodium
hydroxide, (NaOH), is the titrant, and thus small amounts of it will be added to the analyte until
the solution reaches the end point, or the equivalence point. The end point is when the titrant
completely reacts with the analyte. A dye-indicator called phenolphthalein is also used to aid in
visualising the end point.
METHODS
In this experiment, laboratory apparatuses such as Erlenmeyer flasks, and burets were used.
Titration is performed by adding slowly the titrant to the analyte solution using the buret. Each
drop of the titrant will gradually change the colour of the solution, giving it a light pink hue. If
the rate of adding the titrant is too fast, there is a possibility to go beyond the end point, which
will in turn make the solution exude a bright pink colour. In order to avoid this, it is best to add
NaOH at a slow rate once the colour of the analyte changes after each drop. In this experiment,
Datu Puti was the commercial vinegar that was used.
RESULTS
Table 1. Mass of Vinegar
Trial1

Trial2

Trial3

Average

2.87mL

3.12mL

3.11mL

3.03mL

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Average

Initial Reading (w/

NaOH)

0.00 mL

21.30 mL

23.52 mL

22.41 mL

Final Reading (w/

NaOH

21.30 mL

43.50 mL

47.31 mL

37.37 mL

Final Volume

21. 30 mL

22.20 mL

23.70 mL

22.43 mL

MassofVinegar

Table 2. Buret Reading

Table 3. Calculations
Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Average

Molarity of NaOH (in

mol/L)

0.10 M

0.10 M

0.10 M

0.10 M

Moles of NaOH
(base/titrant)

0.00213 mol NaOH

0.00220 mol NaOH

0.00237 mol NaOH

0.00224 mol NaOH

Mole-to-Mole Ratio of
Base and Acid

1:1

1:1

1:1

1:1

Moles of CH3COOH
(acid)

0.001065 mol
CH3COOH

0.00110 mol
CH3COOH

0.001185 mol
CH3COOH

0.00112 mol
CH3COOH

Molarity of CH3COOH
in Vinegar (in mol/L)

0.355 M CH3COOH

0.367 M CH3COOH

0.395 M CH3COOH

0.373 M CH3COOH

Percent mass of
Vinegar (in %)

4.46

4.27

4.58

4.44

DISCUSSION
The values stated above have been obtained through the calculation of the moles, molarity,
and percent mass of the actual values acquired during the experiment. A possible source of error
could be the misreading of the volumetric measurements. Assuming that all measurements have
been read correctly, the acquired molarity of acetic acid in the experiment is, (AtQ2) 0.355 M,
0.367 M, and 0.395 M, with an average of 0.373 M. These values have been obtained with 3
trials. To obtain the molarity of a solution, we must find the molar mass of CH3COOH to be able
to convert the grams into moles, and then divide it by the liters of HCl. (AtQ4), With this, the
reported molarity of the vinegar sample will not be affected by an error in weighing since the
values used to calculate for it are already theoretical. But the %HOAc will be affected because
requires the mass of the sample.
By order of the Department of Health under the Administrative Order NO. 134 s. 1970
with the subject Regulation Prescribing the Standard of Identity and Quality of Vinegar, all
vinegar should have an acidity of not less than 4% by weight of acetic acid. (AtQ1) Since all the
percent mass of vinegar, 4.46%, 4.27%, and 4.58% respectively, in all three trials are more than
4%, (AtQ3) we can conclude that the vinegar samples used in the experiment conforms to the
governments standards.
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
1. Molarity of CH3COOH in Vinegar
Mol NaOH= (M)(Volume of NaOH)
= (0.1)(0.0213)
= 0.00213 mol NaOH//

0.00213 mol NaOH x

1 mol CH 3 COOH
= 0.001065 mol CH3COOH//
2 mol NaOH

M (CH3COOH)= 0.001065 mol CH3COOH = 0.355 M CH3COOH//

0.003 mL HCl
2.Percent Mass of CH3COOH in Vinegar
% CH3COOH=

M base x V base x MW CH 3 COOH

Mass sample

% CH3COOH=

(0.1) x (0.0213) x (60.05)

2.87

x100%

x100% = 4.46% Acetic Acid in Vinegar

CONCLUSIONS
Concentration of acetic acid in vinegar is equivalent to 0.373 M, while vinegars percent
mass is 4.46% which is above the government standard of 4%. Data was obtained through
performing titration, and taking note of volumetric measurements. Molarity, or the concentration
was later obtained through quantitative chemical equations. This experiment has been a tedious,
but quite fun experiment, as it teaches the student to be able to control the buret with much
precision. Albeit quite difficult, achieving the pale pink hue proved to be very fulfilling.
REFERENCES
[Author unknown] Modern Experiments in General Chemistry. Department of Chemistry. School
of Science and Engineering. Ateneo de Manila University. 2016