Calculating HCl Concentration in Solution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a solution, specifically focusing on the differences between weight/weight (w/w) and volume/volume (v/v) percentages. Participants explore various methods and calculations to determine the correct concentration after diluting a stock solution of HCl.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the concentration should be 1% or 1.18% w/w.
  • There is a clarification that "w/w" refers to weight/weight, prompting further discussion on concentration definitions.
  • One participant suggests that the concentration might refer to mass concentration, measured in grams of HCl per liter of solution, and asks how to find the mass of HCl and the quantity of solution.
  • Another participant provides a link defining 37% HCl w/w and suggests that the calculations should focus on molarity (moles of HCl per liter).
  • A participant presents a calculation for preparing a 1% w/w solution, but others express confusion over the clarity and completeness of the calculations presented.
  • Concerns are raised about using volume percentages, as volumes are not additive, and a simpler approach involving the mass of HCl and solvent is proposed.
  • Subsequent calculations are presented, leading to a conclusion of 1.18% w/w, but some participants express uncertainty about the accuracy of the calculations and the assumptions made.
  • Discrepancies in results are noted, with some participants arriving at 1.17% and others suggesting 1.2% based on different significant figures and density values.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the final concentration of HCl in the solution, with multiple competing views and calculations presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the calculations and assumptions made by participants, particularly regarding the definitions of concentration and the handling of volume versus mass in the calculations.

Skw
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Homework Statement
We add 2.7 L of HCl 37% w/w into 97.3L of pure water.
What is the HCl concentration of my final solution in % w/w ?
Relevant Equations
The density of HCl 37% w/w is 1.18 kg/L.
1% or 1.18 % (w/w) ?
 
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w/w means by weight/weight
 
How does your textbook define concentration? Units are also a hint.
 
No definition
 
So you think you're looking for molarity? (nr of moles of HCl per l) Anyway, start showing some calculations, please.
 
2.7L in 97.3L corresponds to a dilution of 1/37 v/v (volume/volume)
To prepare a 1% w/w solution : We need 1/37 kg = 0.027 kg
so with a density of 1.18 kg/L: 0.027/1.18=2.3% v/v
For a 1% w/w HCl solution we need to dilute the stock 2.3% v/v.

However, it was diluted 2.7%.
The final solution is therefore 1.18% HCl w/w.
 
  • #10
Skw said:
The final solution is therefore 1.18% HCl w/w.

That is the correct answer, but to be honest I have troubles following your calculations.

To prepare a 1% w/w solution : We need 1/37 kg = 0.027 kg

You left out so much information it doesn't make sense. Not only I have no idea 0.027 kg of what, but also I am perfectly sure you can prepare 1%w/w solution starting with 1 kg (no matter whether it is mass of just HCl or the solution). So apparently there are some unstated assumptions here, and I not a remote mind reader to know what they are :frown:

Besides, I am not convinced what you did is in general a correct approach. Using %v/v is a potential problem, as volumes are not additive.

The simplest correct approach is to calculate separately mass of the HCl and mass of solvent in both mixed volumes, sum them up and use these numbers to calculate final %w/w concentration. Masses are additive, so you don't have to worry about contraction.
 
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  • #11
Ok thank you !

Sorry my calculation wasn’t clear, I first reasoned as if it would be 37% v/v and I thought the 1% was the good answer, but then I realised it was w/w so that the good answer was 1.18%.

As you suggested, a simpler calculation could be the following:

2.7L at 1.18 kg/L = 2.7*1.18 = 3.186 kg
In this total weight, 37% is HCl: 3.186*0.37 = 1.1788 kg of HCl
In the total final solution, the weight is: 97.3 kg + 3.186 = 100.49 kg
So in the solution there is 1.178 kg HCl / 100.49 kg total = 0.0118 = 1.18% w/w
 
  • #12
I get 1.17% to 3 sig figs.
 
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  • #13
mjc123 said:
I get 1.17% to 3 sig figs.

Yep. Missed that as I got the result from the mixing calculator which for HCL solutions uses density tables for 20°C, so 0.9982 g/mL, and the result listed was 1.1787:

1707987178270.png


But technically the correct answer is 1.2% (2.7L at 37%, so two significant digits).
 
  • #14
Skw said:
Homework Statement: We add 2.7 L of HCl 37% w/w into 97.3L of pure water.
What is the HCl concentration of my final solution in % w/w ?
Relevant Equations: The density of HCl 37% w/w is 1.18 kg/L.

1% or 1.18 % (w/w) ?
I suggest look in reference book for density or specific gravity for 37% w/w HCl.
----OOHHHHH, good! You found something....

...and I am obviously very late finding this topic.
 

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