What is the Molecular Mass of an Unknown Acid Based on Titration Data?

In summary, you titrated a known acid with a titrant to find the equivalence point. You then used this information to find the molecular mass of the unknown acid.
  • #1
xmflea
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this is from a lab. i titrated NaOH into 2 grams of an unknown acid with NaOH

the equivalence point was at 38.25ml

so using 2 grams of an unknown acid and 38.25ml NaOH i have to find molecular mass of the acid.

i tried adding 2 to 38.25, but i don't think that is right.
 
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  • #2
You also need the value for the concentration of your NaOH titrant. Volume of titrant in liters multiplied by concentration of titrant in moles per liter gives you the moles of titrant used.
 
  • #3
well the concentration of NaOH was 0.1M. oh and i forgot to mention that i had to make three graphs of the titration.. 2 of them included first and second derivatives. the equivalence point for the first derivative was 37.5ml, and the equivalence point fo the second derivative was 38.125ml. so I am not sure which volume i should use to calculate the molecular mass of my unknown, also, once i find the moles of my titrant used... how do i use that to find the molecular mass of an unknown acid? do i just divide 2 by the moles of titrant used?
 
  • #4
NaOH was 0.1M. oh and i forgot to mention that i had to make three graphs of the titration.. 2 of them included first and second derivatives. the equivalence point for the first derivative was 37.5ml, and the equivalence point fo the second derivative was 38.125ml. so I am not sure which volume i should use

So you were performing your titration potentiometricly and you have enough information to find the ratio of moles of hydrogen ions per mass of acid sample. At one time in history, if someone wanted the derivative, he would perform the set of calculations himself; these days, maybe an interactive computer program interfaced with the equipment could calculate and graph the derivatives.
 

FAQ: What is the Molecular Mass of an Unknown Acid Based on Titration Data?

1. What is titration and how is it used in scientific research?

Titration is a laboratory technique used to determine the concentration of a solution. It involves slowly adding a solution of known concentration (called the titrant) to a solution of unknown concentration (called the analyte) until a reaction is observed. This allows scientists to calculate the exact concentration of the analyte.

2. How is molecular mass determined through titration?

Molecular mass refers to the mass of a molecule, which is the sum of the masses of all its atoms. In titration, the molecular mass can be determined by first calculating the number of moles of the analyte, using the volume and concentration of the titrant. The molecular mass can then be calculated by dividing the mass of the analyte by the number of moles.

3. What are the different types of titration methods?

There are several types of titration methods, including acid-base titrations, redox titrations, and complexometric titrations. In acid-base titrations, an acid or base is added to a solution to determine its neutralization point. In redox titrations, the titrant and analyte undergo a reduction or oxidation reaction. In complexometric titrations, a complexing agent is used to form a complex with the analyte.

4. How do scientists ensure accurate results in titration experiments?

To ensure accurate results in titration experiments, scientists must carefully measure and record the volume and concentration of the titrant and analyte. They must also perform multiple trials to reduce errors and take precautions to avoid contamination of the solutions. Additionally, using proper techniques and equipment, such as a burette and a standardized indicator, can help improve the accuracy of results.

5. What are some common applications of titration in scientific research?

Titration is a commonly used technique in many fields of scientific research, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science. It is used to determine the concentration of substances in a solution, such as the amount of acid in food or the concentration of pollutants in water. Titration is also used in pharmaceutical research to determine the purity and strength of drugs. In biochemistry, it can be used to analyze the concentration of proteins or enzymes in a sample.

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