 Amount of Acetic Acid in Vinegar

 AIM: Measuring the Amount of Acetic Acid in Vinegar

by Titration with an Indicator solution.

o INTRODUCTION
About Vinegar:
Vinegar is a solution made from the fermentation of ethanol (CH 3CH2OH), which in
turn was previously fermented from sugar. The fermentation of ethanol results in
the production of acetic acid (CH3COOH). There are many different types of vinegar,
each starting from a different original sugar source (e.g., rice, wine, malt, etc.). The
amount of acetic acid in vinegar can vary, typically between 4 to 6% for table
vinegar, but up to three times higher (18%) for pickling vinegar.

Titration introduction:
In this project, I have determined the amount of acid in different vinegars using
titration, a common technique in chemistry. Titration is a way to measure the
unknown amount of a chemical in a solution (the titrant) by adding a measured
amount of a chemical with a known concentration (the titrating solution). The
titrating solution reacts with the titrant, and the endpoint of the reaction is
monitored in some way. The concentration of the titrant can now be calculated from
the amount of titrating solution added, and the ratio of the two chemicals in the
chemical equation for the reaction.

Titration theory:
To measure the acidity of a vinegar solution, we can add enough hydroxyl ions to
balance out the added hydrogen ions from the acid. The hydroxyl ions will react
with the hydrogen ions to produce water. In order for a titration to work, we need
three things:

1. A titration solution (contains hydroxyl ions with a precisely known concentration),

2. A method for delivering a precisely measured volume of the titrating solution,

and

3. A means of indicating when the endpoint has been reached.

For the titrating solution, we'll use a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
Sodium hydroxide is a strong base, which means that it dissociates almost
completely in water. So for every NaOH molecule that we add to the solution, we
can expect to produce a hydroxyl ion.
Performing titration:
To dispense an accurately measured volume of the titrating solution, we will use
a burette. A burette is a long tube with a valve at the bottom and graduated
markings on the outside to measure the volume contained in the burette. The
burette is mounted on a ring stand, directly above the titrant solution. Solutions
in the burette tend to creep up the sides of the glass at the surface of the liquid.
This is due to the surface tension of water. The surface of the liquid thus forms a
curve, called a meniscus. To measure the volume of the liquid in the burette,
always read from the bottom of the meniscus.

Indicators:
In this experiment, we will use an indicator solution called phenolphthalein.
Phenolphthalein is colourless when the solution is acidic or neutral. When the
solution becomes slightly basic, phenolphthalein turns pinkish, and then light
purple as the solution becomes more basic. So when the vinegar solution starts
to turn pink, we know that the titration is complete.

o APPARATUS
To do this experiment we will need the following materials and equipment:

➔Vinegar of three different types.

➔Distilled water

➔ Small funnel

➔0.5% Phenolphthalein solution in alcohol (pH indicator solution)

➔0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution

➔125 mL conical flask

➔25 or 50 mL burette

➔10 mL graduated cylinder

➔Ring stand

➔Burette clamp

o THEORY
Required amount of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) can be calculated using the
following formula:

W = Molarity X Molar Mass X Volume (cm 3)/1000

= (0.5 X 40 X 500) /1000 [M.M = 40 g/mol]

(NaOH)

= 10 g
The acetic acid content of vinegar may be determined by titrating a vinegar
sample with a solution of sodium hydroxide of known molar concentration
(molarity).

CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) --> CH3COONa (aq) + H2O (l)

(acid) + (base) --> (salt) + (water)

At the end point in the titration stoichiometry between the both solutions lies in a
1:1 ratio.

M (CH3COOH) XV (CH3COOH) =M (NaOH) XV (NaOH)

Strength of acid in vinegar can be determined by the following formula:

Strength of acetic acid = M (CH3COOH) X 60

Indicator: Phenolphthalein

End Point: Colourless to pink

o EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Pour 1.5 ml of vinegar in a conical flask.

2. Add distilled water to dissolve the vinegar so that the volume of the solution
becomes 20 ml.

3. Add 3 drops of 0.5% phenolphthalein solution.

4. Use the burette clamp to attach the burette to the ring stand. The opening at
the bottom of the burette should be just above the height of the conical flask we
use for the vinegar and phenolphthalein solution.

5. Use a funnel to fill the burette with a 0.1 M solution of sodium hydroxide.

6. Note the starting level of the sodium hydroxide solution in the burette. Put the
vinegar solution to be titrated under the burette.

7. Slowly drip the solution of sodium hydroxide into the vinegar solution. Swirl
the flask gently to mix the solution, while keeping the opening underneath the
burette.

8. At some point we will see a pink color in the vinegar solution when the sodium
hydroxide is added, but the color will quickly disappear as the solution is mixed.
When this happens, slow the burette to drop-by-drop addition.

9. When the vinegar solution turns pink and remains that color even with mixing,
the titration is complete. Close the tap (or pinch valve) of the burette.

10. Note the remaining level of the sodium hydroxide solution in the burette.
Remember to read from the bottom of the meniscus.

11. Subtract the initial level from the remaining level to figure out how much
titrating solution we have used.

12. For each vinegar that we test, repeat the titration at least three times
o EXPERIMENT 1
Take the laboratory vinegar in the conical flask and do the titration with NaOH as
mentioned.

Observations:-
Sr. Volume in vinegar Burette Reading Volume of NaOH
No. sol (ml) Initial(ml) Final(ml) used(ml)

1 20 0 15.2 15.2
2 20 0 15.2 15.2
3 20 0 15.2 15.2
Concordant Value = 15.2 ml

Calculations:-
We know that:-

M (CH3COOH) XV (CH3COOH) =M (NaOH) XV (NaOH)

M (CH3COOH) =0.5 X 15.2/20

= 0.38 mole/L

Strength of acetic acid = 0.38 X 60 g/L

= 22.8 g/L

o EXPERIMENT 2
Take the household vinegar in the conical flask and do the titration with NaOH as
mentioned.

Observations:
Sr. Volume in vinegar Burette Reading Volume of NaOH
No. sol (ml) Initial(ml) Final(ml) used(ml)

1 10 0 13.5 13.5
2 10 0 13.5 13.5
3 10 0 13.5 13.5
Concordant Volume = 13.5 ml

Calculations:
We know that:-

M (CH3COOH) XV (CH3COOH) =M (NaOH) XV (NaOH)

M (CH3COOH) =0.5 X 13.5/10

= 0.675 mole/L

Strength of acetic acid = 0.675 X 60 g/L

= 40.5 g/L

o EXPERIMENT 3
Take the wine vinegar in the conical flask and do the titration with NaOH as
mentioned.

Observations:
Sr. Volume in vinegar Burette Reading Volume of NaOH
No. sol (ml) Initial(ml) Final(ml) used(ml)

1 10 0 24 24
2 10 0 24 24
3 10 0 24 24
Concordant Volume = 24 ml

Calculations:
We know that:-

M (CH3COOH) XV (CH3COOH) =M (NaOH) XV (NaOH)

M (CH3COOH) =0.5 X 24/10

= 1.2mol/L
Strength of acetic acid = 1.2X 60 g/L

= 72 g/L

o RESULT
➢ Strength of acetic acid in laboratory vinegar = 22.8 g/L

➢ Strength of acetic acid in household vinegar = 40.5 g/L

➢ Strength of acetic acid in wine vinegar = 72 g/L

Graphically plotting various vinegar samples in accordance with the amount of

acetic acid present in them we present a stunning find :-

Laboratory Household Wine

Order of amount of acetic acid in vinegar is:-

Wine Vinegar > Household Vinegar > Laboratory Vinegar

o PRECAUTIONS
• Transferring of measured vinegar into a measuring flask should be done very
carefully.

• Measuring must be performed carefully.

• Look at the meniscus of solution at eye level to avoid parallax.

• Look at the lower meniscus in the light colored solution and upper meniscus in
the dark colored solution because of visibility.

• Do not forget to add distilled water to the vinegar.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Teachers

 Chemistry Book I, Class XIIth

 Comprehensive Lab Manual for Class XIIth

 Internet:
1. www.wikipedia.com
2. www.youtube.com
3. www.toprankers.com
4. www.leverageedu.com
INDEX
1 Certificate
2 Aim
3 Acknowledgement
4 Objective
5 Introduction
6 Apparatus
7 Theory
8 Experimental Procedure
9 Experiment 1
10 Experiment 2
11 Experiment 3
12 Result
13 Precautions
14 Bibliography