Acid-Base Titrations with Balances
Summary of experiment: This experiment allows students to gain experience in the process of
titration without the use of costly burets. In the experiment, students measure mass, rather than
the traditional volume, in order to obtain percent compositions of HCl in standard, as well as
household, products. Students use travel-size plastic squeeze bottles to conduct acid-base
titrations with HCl, NaOH, and household cleaning products in order to determine the amount of
acid or base present in these products.
Materials:
Chemicals
phenolphthalein solution (1% in ethanol)*
5.00% NaOH solution (50 0 g NaOH dissolved in 950 mL distilled or deionized water)*
7-9% HCl solution (170-220 mL concentrated HCl solution diluted to 1.00 liter with
distilled or deionized water)*
one or more of the following household products--clear ammonia, white vinegar, Lysol
Toilet Bowl Cleaner, or antacid
Equipment
2 or 4-oz (65 mL or 120 mL) plastic squeeze bottles that will deliver single drops
centigram balance
250-mL Erlenmeyer flasks*
Bunsen burner, tripod, and wire gauze or hot plate
pH meters
*See Modifications/Substitutions
Modifications/Substitutions
