PH for this Weak Acid-Strong Base titration.

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the pH of a weak acid-strong base titration involving 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M acetic acid (H3C2H3O2). The correct approach involves using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation after determining the concentrations of the acid and its conjugate base, C2H3O2-. The final pH calculated using this method is 4.57, confirming that the initial method of using an ICE table was less efficient. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding when to apply mole charts and the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation in titration problems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of weak acid-strong base titrations
  • Knowledge of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
  • Familiarity with ICE tables for equilibrium calculations
  • Basic stoichiometry for calculating moles and concentrations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation in detail
  • Learn how to construct and interpret ICE tables for acid-base reactions
  • Explore the concept of buffer solutions and their pH calculations
  • Review stoichiometric calculations in titration problems
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators teaching acid-base chemistry, and anyone involved in laboratory titration experiments will benefit from this discussion.

Ace.
Messages
52
Reaction score
0
\:

Homework Statement


What is the pH when 10 ml of 0.1 M NaOH is added to 25 ml of 0.1 M H_{}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}?

Homework Equations


pH = -log[H_{3}O]

The Attempt at a Solution


The main thing confusing me about this type of problem is that my teacher taught me a way which is different from the methods I see online. And I get a different answer.

This is how I was taught to do it:

moles of H_{}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2} = c * v
= 0.1 M * 0.025L
= 0.0025 mol

moles of NaOH = c * v
= 0.1M * 0.01L
= 0.001 mol

Ethanoic acid is in excess, so
moles H_{}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2} = 0.0025 mol - 0.001 mol
= 0.0015 mol

[H_{}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}] = \frac{n}{v} = \frac{0.0015}{0.035} = 0.043

H_{}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2} + H_{2}O \leftrightharpoons H_{3}O + C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}^{-}
I \:\: 0.043 \:\:\:\:\:\: - \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: 0 \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: 0
C \:\:\:\:\:\: -x \:\:\:\:\:\: - \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: +x \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: +x
E \:\:\: 0.043 - x \:\:\:\:\:\: - \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: x \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: x

ka = 1.8 * 10^{-5}

1.8 * 10^{-5} = \frac{x^{2}}{0.043}
x = 8.8 * 10^{-4} M
pH = -log[8.8 * 10^{-4}]
= 3.05Is this the right approach?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your approach is correct but the concentration of ##C_2H_3O_2^-## at E is not x, it is x+something, can you figure out the "something" part? (Think about the reaction of NaOH with the given acid).

What is other approach you talk about? To my knowledge, you have a buffer after reaction of NaOH with ##HC_2H_3O_2## so you might have seen the online resources using Henderson–Hasselbalch equation but that is actually obtained from the procedure you follow, there is really no need to look it up.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Pranav-Arora said:
Your approach is correct but the concentration of ##C_2H_3O_2^-## at E is not x, it is x+something, can you figure out the "something" part? (Think about the reaction of NaOH with the given acid).

What is other approach you talk about? To my knowledge, you have a buffer after reaction of NaOH with ##HC_2H_3O_2## so you might have seen the online resources using Henderson–Hasselbalch equation but that is actually obtained from the procedure you follow, there is really no need to look it up.

Thanks for the reply. The other approach is where they use a mole chart
like this
KfbII4Q5ZQ2V19x3qi7hHAsvWGTmvIRU2n_KH-ZhDEalhTg3ZkD-6mnYq8xD_zk3K-vhKJz7CzsvyP4NphJB44Wnl6Yqqdig.png


I just want to know the situations of when to use a mole chart. This had been confusing me for weeks haha.
 
Ace. said:
I just want to know the situations of when to use a mole chart. This had been confusing me for weeks haha.

You use a mole chart in every situation as you did in your attempt. Did you solve the problem?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
From moles and volume you have calculated the molarity of HAc. But you haven't calculated the molarity of Ac- that I can see.

Write out the formula for Ka and you will see you you don't need to calculate either molarity. [HAc] and [Ac-] enter as a ratio, molarity ratio equals moles ratio. From the Ka formula and what you have, finding [H+] is staightforward enough.
 
You can assume neutralization went to completion, use this assumption to calculate [HAc] and [Ac-], plug into Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Done.

You can also start with above, assume dissociation went further and use ICE table to find the exact answer.

The difference will be in most cases negligible, so the latter step can be safely ignored.

These are about buffer pH, but it is exactly the same problem:

http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=buffers&right=composition-calculation

http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=buffers&right=with-ICE-table
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Pranav-Arora said:
Your approach is correct but the concentration of ##C_2H_3O_2^-## at E is not x, it is x+something, can you figure out the "something" part? (Think about the reaction of NaOH with the given acid).

0.029+x?

Oh I seeH_{}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2} + H_{2}O \leftrightharpoons H_{3}O + C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}^{-}
I \:\: 0.043 \:\:\:\:\:\: - \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: 0 \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: 0.029
C \:\:\:\:\:\: -x \:\:\:\:\:\: - \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: +x \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: +x
E \:\:\: 0.043 - x \:\:\:\:\:\: - \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: x \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\: x + 0.029

ka = 1.8 * 10^{-5}

1.8 * 10^{-5} = \frac{x * 0.029}{0.043}
x = 2.67 * 10^{-5} M
pH = -log[2.67 * 10^{-5}]
= 4.57

And to verify using henderson equation: pH = 4.74 + log(\frac{0.029}{0.043}) = 4.57. Much easier.

Thanks! It makes sense too, I guess my teacher taught me wrong, I'll talk to him about it.
 
Last edited:
Note that x (being 2.67×10-5) is three orders of magnitude smaller than initial concentrations (both being in the 10-2 range). Thats why you can ignore it.

It won't be that way for very diluted solutions.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
4K