INDIAN SCHOOL SOHAR

Determination of Acetic Acid in a given sample of Vinegar

[REPORT BY - NIHAR OAD]

[CLASS XII A, GR NO – 6582]
INDEX

1. Introduction

2. Theory

3. Experiment
- Aim
- Requirements
- Procedure
- Observations
- Calculations
- Result
- Precautions
- Bibliography
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I feel proud to present my Investigatory project in Chemistry on the topic

“Determination of Acetic Acid in a given sample of Vinegar”.

This project wouldn’t have been feasible without the proper and rigorous
guidance of my Chemistry teacher Mrs Jolly Samuel who guided me throughout
this project in every possible way. An investigatory project involves various
difficult lab experiments which should be carried out by the student to obtain
the observations and conclude the report on a meaningful note. These
experiments are very critical and in the case of failure, may result in disastrous
consequences. Thereby, I would like to thank Mrs Jolly Samuel for guiding me
on a step by step basis and ensuring that I completed all my experiments with
ease.

Rigorous hard work has been put into this project to ensure that it proves to be
the best. I hope that this project will prove to be a breeding ground for the next
generation of students and will guide them in every possible way.
INTRODUCTION

Vinegar is a solution made from the fermentation of Ethanol(CH3CH2OH), which

in turn is fermented from sugar. The fermentation of Ethanol results in the
production of acetic acid(CH3COOH).

The amount of acetic acid in vinegar can vary, typically between 4% - 6% for
table vinegar, but up to three times (18%) for pickling vinegar. This project
focuses on the determination of the amount of acid present in different types
of vinegar using titration, a common technique in Chemistry. Titration is a way
to measure the unknown amount of a chemical in a solution (titrant) by adding
a measured amount of a chemical with known concentration (titrating soln.).

To measure the acidity of a vinegar solution, we can add enough hydroxyl ions
to balance out the added hydrogen ions from the acid. The hydroxyl ions then
react with the hydrogen ions to produce water.

The burette is mounted on a stand, directly above the titrant solution. Solution
in the burette tend to creep up the sides of the glass at the surface of the liquid.
This is due to the surface tension of water. The surface of the liquid thus forms
a curve, called a meniscus. To measure the volume of the liquid in the burette,
always read from the bottom of the meniscus.

In this experiment, we use an indicator solution called “Phenolphthalein”.

Phenolphthalein is colourless when the solution is acidic or neutral. When the
solution becomes slightly basic, Phenolphthalein turns pinkish, and then light
purple as the solution becomes more basic. So, when the vinegar solution starts
to turn pink, we know that the titration is complete.
THEORY

- Required amount of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) can be calculated using the formula:

𝑤𝑤 ∗ 1000 𝑀𝑀 ∗ 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 ∗ 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉(𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)

𝑀𝑀 = ; 𝑤𝑤 =
𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 ∗ 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉(𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚) 1000

0.5∗40∗500
Molar mass of NaOH = 40g/mol. = 1000
= 10g

- The acetic acid content of the vinegar may be determined by titrating a vinegar sample
with a solution of sodium hydroxide of known molar concentration (molarity).

CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) ––> CH3COONa (aq) + H2O (l)

(acid) + (base) ––> (salt) + (water)

- At the end point in the titration stoichiometry between the both the solution lies in a
1:1 ratio.
𝑀𝑀CH3COOH 𝑉𝑉CH3COOH
=1
𝑀𝑀NaOH 𝑉𝑉NaOH

- Strength of acid in vinegar can be determined by the following formula:

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆ℎ 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 𝑀𝑀CH3COOH ∗ 60

INDICATOR – PHENOLPHTHALEIN
END POINT – COLOURLESS TO PINK
EXPERIMENT

Aim:
To determine the amount of Acetic Acid in different types of Vinegar using
titration with a coloured pH indicator to determine the endpoint.

Requirements:
Different Samples of Vinegar, Distilled Water, Funnel, 0.5% Phenolphthalein
solution in alcohol (pH indicator solution), 0.1M Sodium Hydroxide Solution
(NaOH).
Stand, 50/100 mL Burette, 200mL conical flask and 10/50 mL graduated
cylinder.

Procedure:
- Pour 1.5mL of vinegar in a conical flask.
- Add distilled water to dissolve the vinegar so that the volume of the
solution becomes 20mL.
- Add 3 drops of 0.5% Phenolphthalein solution.
- Use the stand to clamp the burette.
- Note the starting level of NaOH in the burette. Place the conical flask
under the burette.
- Slowly drip the solution of NaOH into the vinegar solution and gently swirl
the flask to mix the solution.
- At some point we will see a pink colour in the vinegar solution when the
sodium hydroxide is added, but the colour quickly disappears when the
solution is swirled. When the vinegar solution turns pink and remains that
colour even with the swirling, the titration is complete.
- Note the remaining level of the NaOH solution in the burette. (Read the
lower meniscus)
- Subtract the initial level from the remaining level to calculate the volume
of titrating solution used.
- For each sample of vinegar test, repeat the titration at least three times.
 SAMPLE - 1

Observations:
S.No Volume of the Burette Reading Volume of
Vinegar Soln. Initial Final NaOH soln.
1 20 0 33 33
2 20 0 33 33
3 20 0 33 33
Concordant Volume = 33 mL

Calculations:

We know that,

𝑀𝑀CH3COOH 𝑉𝑉CH3COOH = 𝑀𝑀NaOH 𝑉𝑉NaOH

𝑀𝑀NaOH 𝑉𝑉NaOH
 𝑀𝑀CH3COOH =
𝑉𝑉CH3COOH

0.5
 𝑀𝑀CH3COOH = × 33 = 0.825 mol/L
20

Strength of acetic acid = 0.825 × 60

= 49.5 g/L
 SAMPLE - 2

Observations:
S.No Volume of the Burette Reading Volume of
Vinegar Soln. Initial Final NaOH soln.
1 20 0 33 33.2
2 20 0 33 33.2
3 20 0 33 33.2
Concordant Volume = 33.2 mL

Calculations:

We know that,

𝑀𝑀CH3COOH 𝑉𝑉CH3COOH = 𝑀𝑀NaOH 𝑉𝑉NaOH

𝑀𝑀NaOH 𝑉𝑉NaOH
 𝑀𝑀CH3COOH =
𝑉𝑉CH3COOH

0.5
 𝑀𝑀CH3COOH = × 33.2 = 0.83 mol/L
20

Strength of acetic acid = 0.83 × 60

= 49.8 g/L
Result:
- Strength of the acetic acid in Sample 1 = 49.5 g/L
- Strength of the acetic acid in Sample 2 = 49.8 g/L

Precautions:
- Fix the burette exactly vertical to the clamp.
- There should be no air bubbles in the burette’s nozzle.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

- NCERT Class XII Textbook

- www.sciencebuddies.com
- www.technopedia.com
- www.slideshare.com
- Comprehensive Practical Chemistry Lab Manual