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    Experiment 4: Common-Ion Effect and Buffers Ignatius Dominic P. Cumigad College of Science

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    Jemimah
    This document summarizes the results of an experiment that investigated the common-ion effect and buffers. It describes how two indicators, methyl orange and phenolphthalein, were used to determine the pH of four solutions. Solutions 1 and 3 containing acetic acid or ammonia alone showed a large change in pH when acid or base was added, while solutions 2 and 4 containing a weak acid/base and its conjugate had a smaller pH change due to buffering. The most accurate way to determine pH is through calculation based on reaction concentrations, while visual indicators and pH meters were less precise. Potential sources of error included issues with the pH meter calibration and mistakes in solution preparation.

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    Experiment 4: Common-Ion Effect and Buffers Ignatius Dominic P. Cumigad College of Science

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    Jemimah
    88 views2 pages
    This document summarizes the results of an experiment that investigated the common-ion effect and buffers. It describes how two indicators, methyl orange and phenolphthalein, were used to determine the pH of four solutions. Solutions 1 and 3 containing acetic acid or ammonia alone showed a large change in pH when acid or base was added, while solutions 2 and 4 containing a weak acid/base and its conjugate had a smaller pH change due to buffering. The most accurate way to determine pH is through calculation based on reaction concentrations, while visual indicators and pH meters were less precise. Potential sources of error included issues with the pH meter calibration and mistakes in solution preparation.

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    This document summarizes the results of an experiment that investigated the common-ion effect and buffers. It describes how two indicators, methyl orange and phenolphthalein, were used to determine the pH of four solutions. Solutions 1 and 3 containing acetic acid or ammonia alone showed a large change in pH when acid or base was added, while solutions 2 and 4 containing a weak acid/base and its conjugate had a smaller pH change due to buffering. The most accurate way to determine pH is through calculation based on reaction concentrations, while visual indicators and pH meters were less precise. Potential sources of error included issues with the pH meter calibration and mistakes in solution preparation.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    88 views2 pages

    Experiment 4: Common-Ion Effect and Buffers Ignatius Dominic P. Cumigad College of Science

    Uploaded by

    Jemimah
    This document summarizes the results of an experiment that investigated the common-ion effect and buffers. It describes how two indicators, methyl orange and phenolphthalein, were used to determine the pH of four solutions. Solutions 1 and 3 containing acetic acid or ammonia alone showed a large change in pH when acid or base was added, while solutions 2 and 4 containing a weak acid/base and its conjugate had a smaller pH change due to buffering. The most accurate way to determine pH is through calculation based on reaction concentrations, while visual indicators and pH meters were less precise. Potential sources of error included issues with the pH meter calibration and mistakes in solution preparation.

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    EXPERIMENT 4: COMMON–ION EFFECT AND BUFFERS

    IGNATIUS DOMINIC P. CUMIGAD


    COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

    ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
    1. The indicator used to determine the pH of the solutions 1 & 2 was Methyl Orange, which color
    varies from red (pH < 3.1) to pink (3.1< pH <4.5) to yellow (pH > 4.5). The color of Solution 1
    (30 mL 0.10 M CH3COOH) was pink, indicating that its pH ranges from 3.1 to 4.5., while
    Solution 2 (15 mL 0.20 M CH3COOH + 15 mL 0.20 M NaCH3COO) was yellow, meaning its pH
    is more than 4.5.

    2. Phenolphthalein was another indicator used in the experiment and was used for solutions 3
    & 4, which color varies from colorless (pH < 8.3) to pink (8.3 < pH < 10) to purple/magenta
    (pH > 10). The color of Solution 3 (30 mL 0.10 M NH3) was magenta, indicating that its pH is
    more than 10, while Solution 2 (15 mL 0.20 M NH3 + 15 mL 0.20 M NH4Cl) was faint pink,
    meaning its pH ranges from 8.3 to 10.

    3. The largest change in pH that occurred when 3 drops of 1.0 M NaOH (or 3 drops of 1.0 M HCl)
    was added in the solutions was that of solutions 1 and 3 because they are unbuffered
    solutions. Note that, because of the logarithmic nature of pH, this change is several orders of
    magnitude larger than the change that results from the same addition to a buffered solution.
    On the other hand, Solutions 2 and 4 are examples of acid-base buffer solutions which are
    composed of weak acids (or weak bases) and their conjugate bases (or acids), which lessens
    the impact on the pH upon the addition of acids or bases. What causes this phenomenon is
    called the common-ion effect.[1]

    4. Measuring pH using visual indicators involves comparing the standard color corresponding
    to a known pH with the color of an indicator immersed in the test liquid, namely Methyl
    Orange and Phenolphthalein using buffer solution. [2] Visual indicators are the least accurate,
    using only the sight and the judgment of the person performing the experiment (which has a
    low credibility) in determining its color and concluding the range of the solution’s pH.

    Measuring pH using the pH meter involves the calibration of the pH meter by adjusting the
    BUFFER and the SLOPE control, and then immersing the electrode in the unknown solution.
    [3] It is more accurate than the visual indicators. However, the pH meter available in the

    laboratory cannot be properly calibrated (the reading changes from time to time). pH meters
    should have been the most accurate way of determining the pH, but in this case, there is still
    doubt in the results given by the equipment.

    Measuring pH through calculations considers the actual reactions that took place in the
    solution and noting the exact concentrations of the reactants. This method is the most
    accurate way for determining the pH of an unknown solution, assuming that there are no
    external factors affecting the system. The difference on the calculated pH to the actual pH
    solely relies on the accuracy of the person doing the experiment.
    5. The possible sources of errors are: errors in calibration of the pH meter (sudden change in
    pH values of the pH meter, which leads to inaccuracy) and errors in solution preparation
    (pertaining to parallax error, error in measurements of reagents) which are all under human
    error.

    REFERENCES:
    [1] Silberberg, M., 2010. Principles of General Chemistry, Second Edition. New York: The McGraw-Hill
    Companies, Inc. pp. 632-633.
    [2] N.A., Ways of Measuring pH. http://www.horiba.com/application/material-property-
    characterization/water-analysis/water-quality-electrochemistry-instrumentation/the-story-of-ph-
    and-water-quality/the-story-of-ph/ways-of-measuring-ph/. February 11, 2015.
    [3] Analytical Chemistry Academic Group, 2013. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Manual –
    Elementary Quantitative Inorganic Analysis – Chem 26.1. Quezon City: UP Diliman. 81.

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