Jason Chan

2-3

Acid and Base Titrations Using a pH Meter

Introduction

Carry out three acid-base titrations using a chemical indicator and a pH meter while plotting a
titration curve for each titration to determine the K a , K b and concentration.

Weak Acid & Strong Base Titration

1. Gather materials, set up ring stand, clamp and buret. Wear PPE.
2. Condition burette with approximately 10mL of 0.5000M NaOH, discard the solution.
3. Fill burette with 50.00mL of 0.5000M NaOH
4. Rinse out pipet with vinegar. Discard the solution.
5. Draw 25.00mL of vinegar (the analyte) into the pipette, transfer to clean 250.00mL
beaker. Add magnetic stirrer and 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein to beaker.
6. Place pH meter into analyte. (Stays here for entire titration). Turn on pH meter + record
initial pH reading. (Volume of NaOH added=0.00mL)
7. Begin titration, add NaOH in 2.00mL increments, record pH at each 2.00mL increment!
8. When near equivalence point, use half drop method. Example, use 1.00mL increments
followed by 0.50 mL, and then dropwise 0.10 mL. REMEMBER, whatever increment is
chosen, you must read and record pH values.
9. Record 10 readings past the endpoint of the indicator. (Four 0.10 mL increments, two 0.5
mL increments, two 1.00 mL increments, and two 2.00 mL increments).
10. Turn off pH meter. Clean pH meter by rinsing with distilled water. Put few drops of pH=7
buffer into cap + cap off pH meter.
11. Flush reagents down the sink with water, clean the glassware with Alconox and water
thoroughly.

Strong Acid & Strong Base Titration

1. Condition pipette with HCL, discard the solution.
2. Fill the buret with 50.00 mL of 0.5000 M NaOH.
3. Pipette 25.00mL of HCl (the analyte) into a clean 250.00 mL beaker, add magnetic stirrer
and 2-3 drops of bromothymol blue to beaker.
4. Place pH meter in analyte beaker (stay here for entire titration). Turn it on and record
initial pH (volume of NaOH added = 0).
5. Begin titration, add NaOH in 2.00mL increments, record pH at each 2.00mL increment!
6. Use the drip method when nearing equivalence point (pale green). Example, use 1.00 mL
followed by 0.50 mL and then 0.10 mL increments. Record the pH for whatever
increment you decide to use.
7. Record 10 readings past the endpoint of the indicator. (Four 0.10 mL increments, two 0.5
mL increments, two 1.00 mL increments, and two 2.00 mL increments)
Jason Chan
2-3

8. Turn off pH meter, clean with water, put a few drops of pH=7 buffer in the cap and cap
off pH meter.
9. Flush reagents down the sink with water, clean the glassware with Alconox and water
thoroughly.

Strong Acid & Weak Base Titration

1. Set up ring stand, clamp and buret.
2. Condition burette with 10.00mL of 0.5000M HCl, discard the solution.
3. Fill the buret with 50.00ml of 0.5000M HCl.
4. Use a dry, clean 250.00 mL beaker to weigh out 0.50g of Na2CO3*H2O.
5. Add magnetic stirrer, and 40.00mL of distilled water to beaker. Turn on stirrer to dissolve
sodium carbonate.
6. Add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein to the beaker.
7. Place pH meter in analyte beaker (stay here for entire titration). Turn it on and record
initial pH reading (Volume of acid added = 0.00 mL)
8. Begin titration, add HCl in approximately 2.00 mL increments, record pH at each
increment.
9. Slow down when you get closer to first equivalence point (pale pink).
10. Record the pH at whatever increment chosen (see 13)
11. Record the pH with one drop at a time, recording the pH, until the solution becomes
colourless.
12. Add 5-10 drops of methyl orange to the beaker
13. Continue titration, starting with 2.00mL increments eventually add the HCl dropwise,
record pH values at each increment.
14. At the second equivalence point (peach colour), add the HCl slowly and record the pH
values at every increment depending on what you choose.
15. Record 10 readings past the endpoint of the indicator. (Four 0.10 mL increments, two 0.5
mL increments, two 1.00 mL increments, and two 2.00 mL increments).
16. Turn off pH meter, clean with water, put a few drops of pH=7 buffer in the cap and cap
off the pH meter.
17. Flush reagents down the sink with water, clean the glassware with Alconox and water
thoroughly.
Reagent Disposal
Mix the reagents, then pour down the sink and flush it together with plenty of water.
Safety
HCl and NaOH are highly corrosive. If it comes in contact with your skin or eyes, rinse heavily
with water. Wear all required PPE. The pH indicators are toxic, do not ingest them.
Data Table and Observations:
Weak Acid - Strong Base
Jason Chan
2-3

0.5000M NaOH added pH Observations

(mL)

Strong Acid Strong Base

0.5000M NaOH added pH Observations
Jason Chan
2-3

(mL)

Strong Acid - Weak Base

Jason Chan
2-3

0.5000M HCl added (mL) pH Observations