Gilbert Chng (6) 5.

02 Apparatus Electronic Balance 250 cm3 volumetric flask 250 cm3 conical flasks 100 cm3 beaker 50 cm3 burette 20.0 cm3 pipette Pipette filler Filter funnel Glass Rod Dropper Retort Stand With Clamp White tile Quantity 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Chemicals: 28.00g dm-3 aqueous H2X 0.0404 mol dm-3 aqueous NaOH Phenolphtalein Procedure: 1. Using a burette, place between 22.00 cm3 and 24.00 cm3 of H2X into a 250 cm3 volumetric flask and make up to the mark with deionised water. 2. Shake the volumetric flask to ensure thorough mixing. 3. Pipette 20.0 cm3 of the solution from the volumetric flask into a conical flask and titrate it with aqueous sodium hydroxide from a second burette using phenolphtalein as indicator. 4. Repeat the titration as many times as you think necessary to obtain accurate results.

Data Collecting and Processing: Qualitative Data: Both H2X and NaOH are colourless liquids. When two drops of phenolphtalein indicator is added, no colour change occurs. End point of titration occurs at first permanent pink.

Quantitative Data Table 1: Volume of H2X used in Experiment Final Volume of H2X /(0.10) cm3 Initial Volume of H2X /(0.10) cm3 Used Volume of H2X /(0.20) cm3 22.00 0.00 22.00

Table 2: Titration of standard H2X solution against aqueous NaOH Final volume of NaoH used/ (0.10) cm3 Initial volume of NaoH used/(0.10) cm3 Volume of NaOH Used/(0.20) cm3 Titration Used 15.00 32.00 16.95 33.95

0.00

15.00

0.00

17.95

15.00

17.00

16.95

16.00

Data Processing volume (standard flask) = volume (pipette) = volume (burette) = = = (For titrations, = ) =

Reaction Equation: H2X + 2 NaOH 2H2O + Na2X Mole ratio: 1: 2 Volume of NaOH used: Quantity Identified Moles of NaOH Moles of H2X in 0.0020 dm-3 diluted solution Concentration of H2X in 0.0200 dm3 diluted solution Concentration of H2X in 0.25000 dm3 Calculation cm3 Significant figures (s.f.) & Relative Uncertainty/ % 0.4%(3 s.f.) 0.4% (3 s.f.) Unit mol mol

0.4%+0.3%+0.4% = 1.1% (3 s.f.)

mol

0.12%+1.1% = 1.3%(3 s.f.)

mol dm-3

original solution Mr of H2X Final result in 3 s.f. = 144

1.3% (3 s.f.)

Calculation of Uncertainty

(To same number of d.p.) =2

Mr of H2X = (144 2) Conclusion and Evaluation: a) Given that the acid is dibasic and has a molar mass of 126g mol-1, determine the % error and comment on your results. = 14.3%

The percentage error is more than the uncertainty of the experiment. This implies presence of systematic error, or human error. b) Suggest ways that can improve this investigation. The experimenter can touch the tip of the pipette against the side of the flask so as to ensure the right amount of liquid is transferred into the flask. Furthermore, a more sensitive indicator could be used to find the end point. Furthermore, we could read the burette at a lower point so as to more easily look into the meniscus. We can also ensure that the flask is placed on a level surface so that the readings will not be affected. c) What alternative methods can be used to determine the relative molecular mass of the acid? Mass Spectometry. A small dehydrated sample of the acid can be added into a mass spectrometer and its mass is detected.