Neutralising Acid with NaOH - Tips for Accurate Measurement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of neutralizing an acid using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to reach the stoichiometric point. Participants explore techniques for accurate measurement during titration, addressing challenges faced by beginners in chemistry.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Homework-related, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in achieving accurate titration results with granular NaOH and seeks advice on controlling the process.
  • Another participant suggests using an indicator like Phenolphthalein and titrating slowly, especially dropwise near the endpoint, to minimize errors.
  • A different participant proposes creating a titration curve to identify the equivalence point more precisely.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of preparing a NaOH solution of known molarity before titration and notes the hydroscopic nature of NaOH.
  • Another participant adds that starting with a high concentration of a stock base solution is crucial, and mentions the need for quantitative dilution to ensure significant volume during titration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various techniques and approaches for titration, but there is no consensus on a single method. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the importance of known molarity for both the acid and the base, as well as the hydroscopic nature of NaOH, which may affect measurements. The discussion does not resolve the best approach to achieve accurate titration results.

thearny
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I have recently entered the world of chemistry, and am required to neutralise an acid to the stoichiometric point using NaOH. Problem is I have granular NaOH and try titrating it, but keep missing under or over. Is there an easy way to control this that I do not know about?
 
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No easy way. Standard way of finding end point is to titrate slowly against some indicator (Phenolphthalein will do in this case), dropwise near the end point - this way your mistake will be never larger then the drop.

Chemical calculators at www.chembuddy.com
 
did you try making a titration curve and try to find the equivalence point of the graph?
 
The standard procedure is to first make a solution of NaOH of 'known' molarity (note NaOH is quite hydroscopic). Second is to take an acid of know molarity and titrate the base to find it's real molarity. Once this is known you carefully (aka drop wise) titrate the unknown.
 
I forgot one part. You need to start with a relatively high concentration of a stock base solution. Depending on the statistics you want, you will need to due quantitative dilution of the base until the volume of base used in the titration is significant.
 

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