Calculating HCl Concentration in Solution

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a solution, specifically addressing the confusion between weight/weight (w/w) and volume/volume (v/v) percentages. The correct concentration of the final solution is established as 1.18% w/w after diluting 2.7L of 37% w/w HCl into 97.3L of water. Key calculations involve determining the mass of HCl and the total mass of the solution, confirming that the final concentration is accurately derived from these values. The importance of using mass rather than volume for accurate concentration calculations is emphasized.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of weight/weight (w/w) and volume/volume (v/v) concentration definitions
  • Basic knowledge of density calculations, particularly for solutions
  • Familiarity with molarity and its relation to concentration
  • Ability to perform mass calculations involving solutions and solutes
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to calculate molarity from weight/weight percentages
  • Research density tables for various concentrations of hydrochloric acid
  • Explore the concept of mass conservation in solution preparation
  • Study the implications of using volume versus mass in solution concentration calculations
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, laboratory technicians, and anyone involved in preparing chemical solutions will benefit from this discussion, particularly those working with hydrochloric acid and similar reagents.

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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